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A Trip to Vajreshwari

It was a bright sunny Sunday morning. We decided to take our new car for a long drive. Mom and Dad were super excited to go to Vajreshwari. It is a place near Thane famous for its Hot water Springs. There is a temple of Goddess Vajreshwari in the midst of the village. It is an hour’ drive from Thane. The prospect of a long drive got us excited. Mom had packed some snacks for the road, I quickly filled the water bottles, Sid my younger brother got into the act and downloaded some music for the trip, Dad was ready with the car. It was eleven when we started our journey, the sun was blazing as the temperature was soaring at thirty-six degrees. Thanks to the long weekend the traffic was too less for a Sunday.

“Kab tak ginne hum dhadkane...”, I was gazing past the window as the car was gliding over the contours of the Ghodbunder road as Sid played the latest numbers from Bollywood on the radio of our car. “It’s been four years since we visited Vajreshwari.” Mom said. “Time just flies off,” Dad said in a matter of fact manner. “I was in the twelfth standard back then,” I said opening the packet of biscuit Sid had brought along with him. It was noon when we reached Vajreshwari. Sun was overhead and the heat was scorching the asphalt strewn road. Buying some flowers for Lord Shiva we entered the Hot Springs. Water was too hot but we still dipped our toes to get the feel. After taking the blessings of Lord Shiva we took the blessings of Bhagwan Nityananda.

We visited Bhagwan Nityanand’ place to stay. It was terrific to have a slice from the life of one of the great sages’ of India. He lived in Vajreshwari, meditated upon his practices and inspired countless devotees to walk on the path of spirituality. It was two and I was too hungry to walk anywhere. We rushed to a nearby udipi joint. We gorged on Masala Dosas, Uthappa and had a nerve cooling buttermilk. Meditation is amazing but having your food helps you attain your peace every time, I have tried it. After our lunch, we headed towards Vajreshwari temple, the goddess of thunder bolt. The temple is built like a fortress surrounded by stone walls. The humongous entrance has a Nagarakhana. We entered the shrine to seek blessings. Shrine is divided into three parts the mandapam then a small sanctum followed by the main Gabhara of the Goddess.

Seekers from far off places come with their apprehensions, sorrows, and worries. Goddess blesses them to go past their own resistance and win their own creative battles. We came down the fifty two steps that led us up top and headed towards Swami Muktananda's ashram in Ganeshpuri. It is a five minutes drive from Vajreshwari. He was a disciple of Bhagwan Nityananda and founder of Siddha Yoga. The vibes in the ashram were peaceful, we meditated in the shrine for a good while. The ashram has a bookstore that sells the books written by Swami Muktananda and his disciple Gurumayi Chidwilasanand. We bought a few books as food for thought.

It was four when started our journey back home. We decided to take a detour to have a glass of lassi at Bhajan Lal's Dairy farm. It is one of the most amazing things you can have to beat the scorching summer heat. The farm is spread across quite a few acres and has lot of visitors throughout the day. We had kulfi along with a gulab jamun which were both sumptuous and delicious. A nursery of flowers was present on the dairy farm, we took a flower pot of Ananta for the flower bed back at home.

The sun was setting in the evening sky as we drove across the Ghodbunder Road. Wondering about the esoteric life of mystics, their teachings about the way of life got us all thinking. What does it mean to be human? Who are we? Where are we heading? I have no clue about the answers to these questions. But I think it's a good start to know nothing, it keeps you grounded in reality along with a curiosity to know more. And if you want to find your inner peace then have your food, it works always I have tried it.

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