The sun was shinning
bright in the morning sky. Birds were cooing in the morning dew. The
smell of mist was dispensed in the air that carried a sense of
freshness vivifying every heart with enthusiasm. I got out of my bed
and quickly got ready. I had planned to visit Birla Mandir(Temple) in
Shahad, a small town in the Ulhasnagar District of Maharashtra. Its a
hindu temple of Vithoba also known as Vithal. Vithoba is incarnation
of Lord Vishnu. The temple is known for its beautiful architecture
and intricate carvings. I was eager to explore this century old
temple.
I packed my bag with
a bottle full of water and some fruits for the journey. Boarding the
train to Shahad I settled near the window. The train was less crowded
for a week day. Gazing past the window I could see green fields
passing behind as the train moved forward. Sleepy hills covered with
green blanket. The leaves on many a trees where swaying to the tunes
of the wind which was gentle and loving. People kept pouring in and
out of the train as I was lost in the world outside the window.
The train passed
Kalyan Junction. It is an important station on Central Line. I stood
up and went near the entrance of the train. The next station was
Shahad. The train slowly entered the Shahad station. I quickly got
down. I could see an alley disappearing behind the buildings. I
started walking down the road and entered the location in the Google
Maps. I realised I was going in the wrong direction. I came back to
the station. Crossed the railway tracks by taking the foot over
bridge.
Outside the station
Rickshawwallahs were waiting for passengers. They were ferrying
people to the Birla Temple but I decided to take a walk along the
roads of Shahad and reach the Temple. I took out my handkerchief and
wore it like a bandana. The sun was blazing relentlessly. There was
not a single tinge of green and soothing grey of a shadow. It seemed
to be as dry and arid as a dessert. The road was under construction
and the asphalt was as hot as burning cinders.
The GPS showed that
I was not far away from the destination. Taking a left past the
Century Rayon Company. I stopped to have sugarcane juice.The juice
was gratifying with its cooling effect. I started walking after
paying and thanking the shopkeeper in the earnest. The narrow lane
was filled with variety of shops ranging from groceries to apparels.
The road was going uphill as I took a left turn. The locality was
simple, people over here lived in cottages and small buildings. The
lane got narrower. I could see posters of different Tution Classes
proudly showing off the results of matriculation examination.
I came up the hill
and could see the entrance of the temple. I entered the gate and saw
a beautiful garden. The shadows of many a trees were respite from the
scorching heat. I walked up the marble steps and was encountered by a
security check. I submitted my mobile and bagpack and entered the
temple. The entrance to the temple has two huge elephants carved in
the walls and Lord Garuda, the eagle god adorns the top of the
entrance.
The temple was built
a century ago by the Birla family, hence the name. The architecture
of the temple is inspired from the temples of South India. Along with
the idol of Vithoba the temple adorns the idols of Lakshmi-Narayan
and Lord Ganesha. I entered the temple and bowed down with my hands
joined in supplication. The dome in the sanctum is intricately
carved. Many a different sholkas from Bhagwadgita, Upanishads and
Vedas are written in the walls of the temple. I took a pradakshina
around the temple. The walls of the temple are adorned by
Radha-Krishna, Ram, and other mythological characters from Hindu
mythology. The temple had a peaceful vibe attached to it, I felt warm
inside as I came out of the temple.
I walked back to the
station. Now the heat was less relentless and much more bearable. The
crowd was meagre on the platform as I boarded the train back to
Thane. The train left Shahad behind. I unwrapped my lunch and started
having my food. I thought of visiting Duragadi Fort and Ganga Ghat in
Kalyan, but then that would have been too much extravagance for one
afternoon. I kept that plan for some other day as I kept gazing past
the window with sun warm on my side.
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