SOMNATH Part 4

SOMNATH  TEMPLE

I reached Somnath by 3PM and occupied the room. The rooms are well maintained andthe rates are reasonable. The dining hall fecilities available. There are several hotels and caterings are there. The temple opens upto 9 PM . After refreshing I went to Temple at 5PM which 10 mts walk and after usual secruties went inside There was no rush. THE SHIVA LINGA WAS WELL DECORATED. The temple is located just adjustant to Arabian sea.  After Dharshanam I sat at sea shore ie near compound wall. sitting arrangement ie cement benches are provided by the temple authority. I witness the sunsetting in ARABIAN SEA.

     At 8 PM there was LIGHT AND SOUND show on history of Temple It was one hour At 9 PM came back to Room and had dinner in the dining hall. Food was unlimited for 50 rupees.

   4-1-2016

      The somnath temple was destroyed by invasion about 5 to 6 times Each time it iwas reconstructed. To avoid further destruction the original lingam was shifted from the temple and it was installed about 200 feet away in underground and over the above a republica lingam was installed and in Somnath temple also one lingam was established. The abhisekam and regular puja done oroginal lingam in the morning. The priest I had contacted told me to come to old temple by 6 AM . I went old temple and had a Dharshan of Lingam It is a big lingam. We can perform Ganga jal abhisekham by our own hands. After having Dharshan I came back to room by 7 AM . My train to Ahamedabad starts from Somnath Station by 9.30 AM, I vacated room by 8 AM and reached station by 8.30 AM for my onward journey  The train starts at 9,30 AM and reached ahamedabad by 6.45 PM

DWARAKA --SOMNATH YATRA Part 3

3-1-2016

My Somnath Yatra starts from Dwaraka by 8 AM on 3-1-2016 by Hired Taxi.The distance around 250 KM approx.

Dwaraka and Somnath are on the Arabian sea shore. The journey was along the sea shore . The entire sea shore area is producing electricity by wind through by installing gig Fans.
 Harsha Dhayi Temple

  This devi is said to be KULADEVATHA of Krishna  This place is around 40 KM from Dwaraka. We reached this place by 9 AM The temple opens at 9 Am with Arathi . I witnessed the Arathi . The beating of Drums make us clapping our hands automatically A beautiful rhytham. After 1/2 hour our journey commences

MOOL DWARAKA

    This is place where Krishna after war with KAMSA while returning to Dwaraka took rest for sometime One shiva linga was established here
Our journey continues and the next stop was PORBHANDAR The birth place of Mahatma Gandhiji.
We reached here around 10.30 AM.

Gandhiji Birth Place
 This is midst of market area and the building is maintained without any modification except front side for benefit of visitors. Even the plastering is also not done inside. A place to see every Indian as mark of gratitude

 In Porbhandar also the place of Sudhama alias Kusela place is converted as temple.

CHORWAD
   This place where the richest Indian born.
   Yes  This place where Dhiribhai Ambani lived, The house is now converted as memorial. The helipad also constructed nearby

I took the lunch on the way

VERAVEL

Veravel is twin city of Somnath.  Export of sea fishes is being regulated from this place. Several huge godowns are situated here for proper storing of fishes arriving from places.

   In this place The arrowman has aimed Krishna legs while he was resting on the tree. That place is now worshipping place A temple is being constructed. A huge Shiva linga is there

AN INCIDENT TO REMEMBER

    I want to take photo of this place and hence I took the camera from the hand bag and took snaps. I took the snaps from the compound wall area of the temple. The distance from the Idol to compound wall is hardly 20 feet only and after taking snaps  and bowed the god from there itself and proceeded to taxi for further journey to somnath which is about 7 to 8 Km and reached Somnath trust Guest house for rooms. For showing I card  opened bag for purse. The purse was not found. I searched everywhere and in taxi also. It was not there. I told to taxi driver my loss of purse. after recollecting all the incidents I was sure the purse might be fallen while taking camera from the bag. The taxi driver immediately took me back to VERAVEL temple in 10 mts ride. I searched entire place No fruitful,   The driver suggested to go to priest and enquire. I went near the idol where priest was sitting and enquired Negative. I came  back thinking of further mode of action. When I came down from the platform of temple KRISHNA came  in human being and asked whether your purse and handed over purse and he refused to any money from me. This was the game Krishna played for not going near his idol

I reached Somnath by 3PM and booked room for oneday in the Somnath Mandir Trust guest house

Dwaraka -Somnath Yatra part 2

In continuing Dwaraka trip

    DWARAKADEESH  TEMPLE

    On 2-1-2016  After having the dharshan of Bet Dwaraka The time was 1-30 PM I had the lunch and had a rest for 3 hrs. the temple opens at 5 PM . I went to temple after having tea etc . the distance  is walkable distance only. there is separate counters for camera Cell phone and shoes. Free of charge.

  Secrutiny clearence is there. There is not much people. I entered the temple and had a eyeful dharshan of Lord Krishna What I can not able to describe in words My eyes refuse to move away from Krishna  I was  seeing   seeing seeing -------------------

                More than 1/2 hour I was in front of Krishna and more than one hour I  was in temple.


3-1-2016

   In the morning 6 AM the temple opens. I went to temple in the morning 6 AM and I had fortunate to see the ARATHI of Krishna and after one hour I came back to hotel room and had a slight breakfast and vacated the room by 8 AM for the onward journey to Somnath

DWARAKA AND SOMNATH

With the blessings of Fore fathers and well wishers I had fortunate to visit the Holiest places in India. Last week ie on the last day of old year 2015 I started my journey towards Dwaraka and Somnath by Train from Delhi and Reached Ahamedabad on 1-1-2016 morning   9.30 AM.

      DWARAKA

    There is regular bus service from Ahamedabad  ( In Somnath temple voucher the city has been mentioned as AMEDABAD) from 10 pm.  and reaches Dwaraka by 7.15 AM. Many buses are flyingduring that time. Bus tickets can be booked by internet ).As my bus to Dwaraka starts at 10 PM I took a room in a hotel.   The journey upto Amedabad  was normal in all respects. Rajdhani express supplied food as per terms and condition.

    The bus to Dwaraka was a sleeper bus. On experiencing day weather  I had feeling the night will be pleasent. Man proposes and God disposes. With one half sweater I was shivering The bus is not provided  Kambal to protect from cold Any how I  bravely  with stood the cold ( there is no alternative than boosting like this).  The bus reached Jam nagar 3 AM. I took hot tea. The bus was stopped there for about one hour. Most of the passengers got down here. The bus driver and conductor waiting for local passengers.After one hour the resumed the journeyand reached Dwaraka by 7.15 AM. The sun rise is about 7 am. The reason for stopping for an hour I understood.

The bus stop is near temple.The city Dwaraka is surrounding the temple only. I took a hotel room then and there itself. On enquiry it has been found that the local trip around Dwaraka done in 2 times.First trip at 8.00 AM and the second one at 2.00 PM. As Iwas having some 20 mts time I got myself ready by 10 minutes and at 8.00 Am the lacal bus started.

   DWARAKA local trip   2-1-2016

     Dwaraka  trip local Trip covering following places

1.Rukmini Temple   2  Nageswar temple   3.Gopi Talab   4. Bet Dwaraka

Rukmini Temple
  One time Rishi  Durvasa came to see Krishna afterwards he wanted to somewhere. Krishna offered Chariot. But Rishi Durvasa told he dont want chariot driven by animals. Krishna along with Rukmini dragged the chariot. On the way rukmini felt immense thirst. Krishna brought ganga water by his power and gave to Rukmini. She drank the water without getting permission from Rishi. Rishi got angry and cursed Rukmini that Rukmini will be away from Krishna for 12 years. Rukmini left Dwaraka and lived in the forest . This was the place where Rukmini stayed This called Rukmini Temple.  Pilgrims give donations for feeding water here. Water is being served to pilgrims here

Nageswar Temple

   Our next stop was Nageswar Temple. This one of the Jyothir Lingam. Ther are 12 Jyothir lingam in India. One very big Shiva statue  is installed in front of temple.

Gopi Talab

    When Gopis were taking bath inside the pond without clothes to teach them the lessons to them Krishna has took away clothes and hide This is place where this has been held.  ( Vastra Apagaranam) The authorities not maintaining properly and the tank is looks dirty although thousands are visiting daily

Bet Dwaraka

Our next stop was BET DWARAKA

 On the way we saw the a very big factory of TATA salt manufacturing Salt. There are heaps / mountains of Raw salt outside.
 We reached Bet dwaraka. On the way very big fish godowns, Fishes captured by fisherman is being stored here
        Bet Dwaraka is in the middle of sea around  1 Km from the shore. Regular and frequent boat services are there .They charging Rs 10 per head.The journey took half an hour one way.

Bet Dwaraka In this place of Krishna Palace Bramin Sudhama alias Kusela  was received by Krishna and entire family was blessed.
  The temple is located around 1KM from shore. Auto  (shared) are available Rs 10 per head) In this place both Hindus and Muslims are living together. Muslims are boat drivers and fisherman .
No cellophone ,camera allowed Cloak room available Charges Rs 2 per article. After dharshan we made the return journey and reached bus and reached Dwaraka by 1.15 PM.

DWARAKADEESH  TEMPLE                     contd




    

Pilgrimmage Journey

Last week A opportunity has arisen to undertake pilgrimmage trip to Illahabad, Kashi and Gaya and   Binsar in Himalaya region.

It is of Hindu belief that once in a lifetime A Hindu to undertake a trip to Kashi and Gaya to perform the ritual for their ancesters . It is one of the thanks giving to elders who blessed us for our better living and still blessing in our life time.It is not the fear that we must do otherwise they will harm not like that. It is one kind of namaskarams/ reverence which we are doing to the elders whenever we happened see the elders.

   My self along with my brothers family  we started by Poorva Express from New Delhi on 12 th Oct . The train departs from ND at 4.25 PM. . After taking sufficient rest we reached Illahabad by 3.30 Am 0n 13th Oct. As per pre arrangement our guide took us from Station to Shiva mutt and we had small rest in the room allotted us upto 6 am.
Around 8 Am after taking bath in the rest room the prohit came and explained rituals to be performed, As we were ignorant of the ritual  we thought over and we agreed to perform.

As per tradition  the sea sand brought from Rameswaram has to be immersed in Prayag.At Rameswaram while performing the puja to go to Kashi in the sand they will make 3  Shiva lingams representing  SETHU MADHAVAR, BINDU MADHAVAR, VENI MADHAVAR  .                             . Out of 3lingams one will be immersed in Rameswaram it self ,one lingam will be taken by prohit and third lingam ie Veni madhavar will be given to performer. As lingam is made of sand The shape is not the problem .  In Prayag/ Illahabad the prohit will make lingam out of sand we brought . The couple  will perform Puja for the lingam. Here it is performed VENI Puja. Veni represents Saraswathi and people offering hair for veni mainly husband cuts some portion of wife hair to Veni  ie to river.After performing the puja in the hall we went Prayag Sangamam had a bath and came rback to rest h ouse and perf ormed  PITRU BINDAM  ritual. Total  18 Bindam Representing  father sides and  mother side and  all the living being who helped us in our life say birds, animals etc. because they give food as well as guide our life in various ways which we dont know and the pitrus  whom we have forgotten to mention.

After wards we took our meals and we departed for Varanashi.  We started by 2.30 PM by taxi and onthe way we visited motilal Nehru bunglow and reached Varanashi by 6,30 PM.and after making arrangement for stay at SankaraMutt near HanumanGhat . we consulted the Manager of Sankara Mutt  for Gaya and Kashi Rituals. He made the arrangement.We witnessed the navaratri puja inthe sankara mutt

    Gaya
Inthe early morning at 3 AM from Varanashi by hired taxi. The distance between Varanashi and gaya is260 KM. Our journey was pleasent as earlymorning trip was pleasent. We reached gaya by &,30 AM to sankara mutt.

SRI PANCHAPAKESHA IYER

  With Koti Pranams  I am mentioning Sri Panchapakesha Iyer who is manager of Sankara Mutt at Gaya the youngest man at age of 75 Years.With the smiling face looking after the people who are coming over there to perform the rituals  for their departed souls as his near relatives and giving them able quidance and giving them proper advice and explaining them the greatness of the rituals .
 Man of principles. not taking even single cup of tea/coffee from the mutt kitchen purchases tea/coffee from outside shops. He is having very able assistant A oriya lad who is well versed in the rituals and also quiding the people at each moment.  I SALUTE THEM

            GAYA RITUALS
  Gaya means gone in Hindi.ie our fore fathers who were  toiling in grief were releived of their pains due that we in our present life suffering has vanished by doing the rituals at GAYA. SRI RAMA,s Wife  SITA was performed this ritual at GAYA. This is the saying. When rama came along with his wife camefor performing the rituals. Rama gone for collecting the required materials.  the The time fixed by Pandits was nearing.but no trace of her husband. She THE SITA decided to perform the rituals and she made the offerings with the sand available in the river.The rituals performed as per tradition at  the time fixed by the pandits.   When the elders were enquired the onlookers  THE BRAHMIN, CROW, RIVER,EAGLE  AND  BANYAN  TREE.  The first 4 persons were ignorant and said NO. The 5th ie the TREE has told that SITA performed the rituals .Sita in her angry mood  has given curse to first 4. Brahmin even though he will be getting more  but  will not get satisfaction. THe crow must not fly over Gaya, the river  will vanish.  Eagle will not fly in gaya sky and blessed Those complete their ritual under the Banyan tree will be benefited of the rituals

    We started our rituals at the feet of VISHNU PADAM. there are 48 offering for the persons having mother alive otherwise it is 64. The offerings are one for father side , 2nd line for the mother side third line for mother side fatherside, 4 th one for mother,s mother side 5th one for mother only if mother alive it will be empty, 6 th line for all relatives, friends, gurus  and any body you can offer irrespective caste and religion 7th line is all the animals ,tree and other things which has helped us in our life. In the first line we offering one for our elders we forgot. This rituals are meant to express our gratitude to departed persons,elders and others  who helped us for better present living .The entire offerings were submitted to VISHNU PADAM.

  After wards we performed  one small yagna , and offered meals to 5 brahmins just like annual cermony . lastly we went BANYAN TREE AND PERFORMED offerings  to our departed elders as we ll to departed wife.   Who ever has departed have departed wife , she was offered   WE informed the banyan tree of our rituals and prayed our fulfillment.e

  Then we had our meals  and thus end our religious rituals at GAYA. ladies also allowed to perform the rituals

  WE went to BODH  GAYA  AND see the place where he had renunciation. It is just like fortress.

 We started from GAYA and reached VARANASHI by 7.30 PM

Varanashi

WE woke up at 4.30 AM and we started to have a Dharsan of LORD VISWANATH, ANNAPORNA, VISHALAKSHI, BHAIRAVA ETC

The riuals at Kashi to give offerings at 5 ghats and ritual bath. We performed accordingly.

We departed from Varanas
hi by POORVA EXPRESS by 7.00PM and reached NEW Delhi by 8.30

This Hectic trip and we had stamina to perform and enjoy and ful fill our one of the life long karma


        Our next trip started immediately within   8 hours
   This time were proceeding to BINSAR the foot of himalaya. We  have to start as per our schedule at 4.00 PM but due some delay we started by 4.45 PM. We had held up in places due to Traffic Jam . Our route was to go thro Gaziabad even at 6 PM we were at Delhi only, and Traffic at Gaziabad at that time is unmanageable . As our calculation we can able to reach middle of our journey by 12 midnight. we thought over and rescheduled our trip by next day early morning 4 AM

       As per schedule we star. t our journey by 4.00 AM. The morning was very fresh and we crossed the ever available traffic jam portion without any difficulty and in record time of one hour By early sunrise time we took our tea on the roadway shop. and had our breakfast at somewhere in a restraunt which ofcourse costly.  By 1.00 PM we had some snacks at the biffurcation point  of  Nainital and BINSAR.

  We reached BINSAR by 4.30 PM.We were stayed at Mahindra holiday home.After refresh our self we went to entertainment club where all kinds of indoor games were provided. At 7.30 PM a getto gather of occupants were enacted. all the children and parents joined in the fun lasted about 1.30 hrs.
At 9.00 PM we had our dinner which has mixture of all indian foods.

    Next day at 9.30 AM we hired a taxi to go to local trip which mainly to temple. It is 60 KM from the resort.On the way we stoped at bell temple which about 40 KM and reached the Jageswar temple .
n jageswar temple There are  125 shiva linga of all the temple.. The main deity is JAGESWAR which is 8th Jyothir linga. There is a lamb burning since centuries from start of KALIYUG and it is now at the breast level When it goes down to feet level the present yuga will come to end which will be around 5000 years
 Another linga called THRAIGAMBESWAR is also in this temple This is for long life. In rudra Japa we used to chant.  After this we returned to Resort. There is peak point here from where we can see the main peaks of himalaya whenever there was no clouds.
    we Started back our journey back and we passed thro NAINITAL this time and had brief halting there. There is a very big lake in the middle of town which is more attractive. We reached Delhi around midnight

    A enjoyable trip

A new way of Education

Recently I had a talk/ discussion. During the discussion I was really astonished to find out the in which our education was progressing

      The mode of education is as follows
   In the present way of education the students are well preparing the theory although they were not sufficient.  Again after joining any industry they are diffient in work.

    During the talk it was told to me how this college works
  They are taking the students who passed school final. This is degree course. after 3 years degree from the recognised college. The students work in the company for 5 days and 2 days theory. Semester system. Exam  will held once in 6months. The student has to qualify to go further. At the end of 3 years he will well qualified student with practical as well as work wise.

    Fees      No fee and at the same time he will get 8000/-  monthly . The good food which cost 1000 deducted from monthly amount.
Immediate employment on completion of study which is min 15000 PM.

  This one system of skill power studies. The institute is at chennai. centre for excellance in organisation Ltd   Ph  91 44 49006000,  91- 44-4900 6018
 

Dr A.PJ kalam

I have not having the words to express my self. Even in Death also he observed simplicity.What a man we had in our midst. And he lift our country to the greatest height and he is our man. ENTHRO MAHANU BHAVARU   OUR PRANAMS