When our Kicha Sastrigal at Rameswaram told 'Pack Holy sand Veni Madhavar first in your bag to Kasi, before you forget', we were wondering 'how come one can ever forget the Holy sand Veni Madhavar'. In the train we heard this story. One of the family which travelled in the same train to Kasi had missed the Veni Madhavar. They ordered their Vadhyar and a relative to bring it in the car to the station, by which time train had started. So, Veni Madhavar was requested to be couriered...! Oh my God, I did not have the wildest dream of Kicha Sastrigal's words coming true for anyone.
On reaching Siva Madam and getting ourselves refreshed and had our first good coffee in three days, we felt we were alive and kicking...! We did our rituals there of Sankalpam and the rest and set off to Thriveni Sangamam. Prayagai (Prayag) is called as Theertha Raja. For the first time in life I was doing Sankalpam north of Vindhyas and the slokas differed to that extent. The sankalpam referred to the Kshetram (Prayag) and conveyed about Theertha Raja and also referred the near by cities of Kasi and Gaya and even referred Buddha...!
After the sankalpam we went to Veni Madhavar temple which was a quite one with lots of beauty. As a common one, all the famous temples of Prayag-Kasi-Gaya were in 'gallis' or narrow roads. None of them wore the pomp and splendor of south indian temples like Kanchi, Madurai or Tanjavur.
We took the Sumo to Thriveni Sangamam. On the way we had Darshan of temple built by Sankara Madam and the very famous Anjaneyar temple. Anjaneyar here is below the ground level and in horizontal position to the ground. There was a big crowd out here.
Thriveni Sangamam is the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswathy. Here ladies are expected to do Veni Dhaanam, which is cutting part of their hair and giving it to Thriveni Sangamam. This is supposed to be very Holy Act. The husbands are expected to do this and later comb the wife's hair and make it three bands and cross band them. The three bands are supposed to be Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswathy. While three bands are evident while fixing the hair, only two are visible outside, similarly only Ganga and Yamuna are evident outside and Saraswathy is hidden below.
These three Holy Rivers confluence is the place we have to take our Holy Dip. I also was shaved off a bit from my head hair, since that was mandatory. Later all of us, with our kids had a good Thriveni Sangamam Snanam. It was a beautiful experience. We wanted to be there for one more hour, but our guide informed us to pack back. There was an elderly couple from Delhi who were also with us in the boat. They were very jovial and were enquiring how to put 'pinnal' for bob cut ladies...! There is something special about this pair. We met them in Allahabad, Thriveni Sangamam first, later at Kasi on the boat and as well in Gaya (Bodh Gaya)...! I felt my own Grandpa has been going round watching me with my Grandma...! Possibly true.
After Thriveni Sangamam we returned to Siva Madam and performed Pinda Thaanam. Later we had our lunch and had a small sleep. We had brought in Ganga Jal from Thriveni Sangamam which we packed in various sizes of sombus, including one big one for Ramanatha Swamy abisekham. We packed all and started our travel to Kasi, the place of maximum action...! We reached bit late in the evening and reached Balananda Ashram at Kasi. We got a huge room with five cots @ Rs.150 per cot. It was a very neat room with attached bath and toilet, which were crystal cler. In half hour's time Sekar Sastrigal was there with strong piping hot coffee, receiving all of us with his inimitable smile...!
Only next to The Amighty's Blessings, our Pithrus Blessings it was Sekar Sastrigal's (+919335474312 / +91 9936651109) excellent co-ordination and concern for our comfortable stay and doing rituals, we had this wonderful Kasi Yatra. His presence radiated power and any weak soul, ailing soul or lethargic soul immediately came to life. Many a times Viji or me or my MIL would've offered to stay back in the room, but when he came and asked 'Vaango Kilambalaam' we were all up and ready for the trip.
We went to bed after a good chappathi - alu sabji with the thoughts of Ganga and our snanam in it...! We never thought Ganga had bigger plans for us during our stay in Kasi...!
(To be continued...!)
Pranams
Ram
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