100th Post !!!

Just got back from a wonderful trip to Haridwar&Rishikesh,and actually I am yet to get back to the routine here.It is rather funny that both of us still haven't been able to adjust to the time difference yet, though it is just about an hour and a half.Waking up at 3.30 am until today,and I must say that it is quite unusual because we do go home atleast three times a year and have not faced this situation until now.

A nice topic for my 100th post I think.Our visit to Haridwar will be in my memory for a long time I'm sure for quite a few reasons.

This is my first trip to Haridwar &Rishikesh and also this is the first Baghavatha Sapthaham that I am attending.Many people told us that we are indeed lucky to attend the first Sapthaham on the banks of the Ganges,which has been the home for many many great saints and great people.I think and truly believe it is all God's Grace and blessings of Guru and elders that one gets such opportunities in life.

Right from our flight everything was so good.First,we got upgraded to business class at Dubai and so could catch some sleep inflight.Stayed with a dear friend at Delhi for a few hours and did a lot of catching up on old times.
Had to join the group at Haridwar station and it was indeed so easy and smooth,which I thought was really cool.The compartment was full of people all going to attend the Baghavatha sapthaham,and it was really wonderful to see so many people.

From Haridwar station buses were arranged to take us to Paramarth Ashram which was the venue for the satsangh.We were indeed blessed I must say to get accomodation in the ashram itself because they had only 50 rooms in the ashram and rooms were arranged in other ashrams closeby for the others.Everything actually fell into place so beautifully for us I must say.Thanks to God and Guru for making it all so easy for us.(I say this beacuse there were many people who did have a lot of issues right from the start)These are times when we are reassured that the gurus blanket is on us always.Jai gurudev!!

Next day morning after breakfast we left for Rishikesh,they had arranged buses to take us there.Had heard a lot about the famous Lakshman Julha and was so happy that I will be actually seeing it now,a child like enthusiasm for sure I must admit.A tourist guide was arranged to tell us about all the places around.She(Her name was Krishna I learned later) led us through a short cut to the famous Lakshman Julha and the view from there was indeed so very beautiful.The Ganges flowing so swiftly was a treat indeed.I always love to watch the waters and love the sound that goes along so enjoyed every moment to the full.We walked on Lakshman Julha nad crossed over to the other side where we were shown some important places and the famous Rudraksha trees which I am told are found only in Haridwar,Rishikesh and Nepal.

We then went to Sivananda Ashram which was indeed amazing.It is one of the oldest ashrams there it seems and there is satsangh hall there where 24/7 namasankirtan is going on,from the year 1942.Isn't that unbelievable??We were indeed blessed yet again to meet a swamiji there who has been living there from 1950.He was kind enough to talk with us for quite sometime.

I really admired the monkeys there.It was a treat watching them.The way they enjoyed the food bit by bit was amazing.One of the monkeys caame up and showed us how they drink water from the tap,which was simply great.The skill with which the monkeys act is simply unbelievable I must say.Every creation of God is a true marvel,just that we need to take a little time to admire,observe and enjoy it all.I for one truly enjoyed everybit that I saw.

We also so Ram Julha which is a more recent one,but we crossed the Ganges on boat this time and that was fun too.The day's sight seeing was over and we were back to our respective places by evening.

Next morning was reserved for Haridwar sightseeing and this we did in samll groups and travelled by autos.We had Darshan of the main Ganga at Hari Ki Paidi or Pairi,there was no water there beacuse claening up the Ganges was going on for the Kumbh Mela coming up later this year.This is one busy place with a lot of shops selling lots of stuff.We next went to Manasa Devi mandir and then Chandi Devi mandir which are up hill.We took the cable car which reached us up in 5 minutes and needless to metion it was so pictureque and scenic around.Wish I had a handy cam could have captured it all !!!With a camera there are limitations I guess!!After agood darshan and some shopping we had to return back.

We had to reach ashram back because the first session of Sapthaham was scheduled for 3pm.Once the parayanam and pravachanam started we were simply taken to another world and then only on the last day did I realise that all things do come to a close and so will this one.
Lived a total life of bliss and joy for 7 days.Enjoyed taking a dip every morning at 4.30 am in the ganges. On 17th Diwali day we had a Pratyaksha Ganga snanam and as early as 4am.The water was indeed chill but just initially only until the first dip.

All in all had a lovely time,met up with some genuine people, and I think this coinciding with my 100th post is lovely too.Something that I would wish to remember for a long time and sure something to chersih.

Jai Gurudev.