Trip to Mahavirji - 4: Darshan

Nov 3 contd, While strolling back and forth at the Nizamuddin station, we also bumped into Jagdish chachji. He was also to board the same train to Mahavirji. Once the train got going, there was no further delay and we prayed that we reach there right in time for the evening aarti that was the highlight of the trip. The village of mahavirji is several kilometers away from the train station and there is a free shuttle service back and forth at regular hours. When we reached the Mahavirji station, we noticed the shuttle was ready to leave. We hurriedly got off, but because of large group it took us a while to arrange for the coolie. By the time we stepped out of the station, the entire station was empty and all we could see was the cloud of dust left behind by the shuttle. All pilgrims including chachaji were smart enough to board it on time. Karte kya na marte we had to hire a small taxi and stuff all of us in with our bodies in twisted positions. The road to the temple area isn't the greatest you have seen. It's full of pot holes and worse than that speed breakers. With each speed breaker, it appeared that our neck would break into two by the impact of the bump, but luckily we made it to the temple. There was confusion around the aarti time when we reached there. When we enquired, couple of people told us that the aarti hadn't begun yet. So we decided to arrange for the dharamshaala first. Once done, we proceeded towards the temple only to find that the aarti had just finished. This was quiet frustrating and a major blow to our years of planning. In the deepening dark of the evening, I saw chachaji stepping out of the temple after participating in the aarti. He was one step ahead of us all the way.

The main Mahavir bhagwan's temple at Mahavirji. This is where Mahavir bhagwan's statue was found more than 200 years ago.

Once we went inside the temple, the serenity and the presence of Mahavir bhagwaan washed all our stres away though. We performed the darshan and then sat down in the courtyard to particpate in the live bhajan sessions performed by local musicians.


TBC....

Latest from stable of Joshita

Soft colours and soft flowers, feminine shades are apparent.

The Gauls can be inspiration for first steps towards animation.

The 'Grid Painting' latest in experimentation.

Nunaces of colour are better understood.

The 'Decorative' style of painting, all water colours with gloss, it can embroidered as well.

The 'Warli painting' as taught in school, Lord Shiva was just a great colouring opportunity.

Sceneries are getting better.

Trip to Mahavirji - 3: Train to Mahavirji

Nov 3, The worst thing I hate about journeys is the part of getting up early in the morning. I hadn't even recovered completely from tete-a-tete with glam doll Zeenat that I was woken up. Then started the flurry of activities with everybody pushing everybody else to finish the morning rituals in any order possible and get ready on time.

The Sumo arrived right on time which was good because we didn't want to be late for our train. We dumped all the bags in the back seat and stuffed our bodies in the front with kids seated on the elders' laps and I resting half of my butt on the door handle. When I coudn't take it anymore, I made room in the back with all the bags themselves and was able to stretch my legs in comfort. There is something about watching the road and slower vehicle getting left behind from the back window of a car and I relished the rare treat.

Hazrat Nizamuddin station near New Delhi
(http://wikimapia.org/112748/Hazrat-Nizamuddin-Rly-Station-NR)

We were right on time at Hazrat Nizamuddin station without battling much with the traffic. We started off the usual baragining duel with the coolies with both parties measuring and weighing each bag to fix an optimum price. When the coolies didn't budge, Sandeep jijaji threated to lift the bags himself in true saleman pitch and eventually all parties settled on a good price.

We were to take the 2060 Kota-Janshatabdi this time to Mahabirji from here. We had to wait for the one coming down because the same one would take us up there. However, the train got delayed by several hours. I didn't mind the delay as much as what the damage it's ripple effect did later on. More to come on that in the next entry.

A Coolie doing his routine
(http://www.indiamike.com/india/attachments/10274d1243669447-luggage-on-the-shatabdi-express-bag-snatcher.jpg)