Kumbh Diary 6

The D Day Amrit Snan

Failing it

The Day came, Vasant Panchami Amrit Snan Day. The whole purpose of us statying with Sri Mahant Mukesh Puri Babaji in Juna Akhada Camp was to go for Amrit Snan along with the Sadhus, Sanths, Nagas Digambars in the electrified atmosphere. Till the beginning of the long procession to the theerth sthan which happens early in the morning we werent sure whether we will be able to go along with them.

As instructed by Babaji, we all woke up about 3 ish in the morning. Was woken up. Freshened up and had bath and rushed outside in excitement. Mukesh Puri Babaji and his group of Naga Babas were ready and started their rituals as Digambars.

They came to the Dhuni and started their process. We were all in excitement and on our toes not knowing what to expect! All we knew was to just join in when we are asked to.

All were dressed in Bhagwa, or Saffron, looking like Sants or Sadhaks which I think they were all literally deep within. We waitied for nearly an hour and then suddenly everyone rushed in and we found ourselves in the procession, all of us scattered.

The Digambar Sadhus in their every energetic form, Avadhoots, Sadhvis, Matajis, a differently abled Baba on a scooter! It was electrifying no doubt and also magical. You just needed to be present there to be carried along in the Melee.

I just walked on without any familiar faces nearby careful not to be pushed nor to be in the way of Naga Sadhus. It is their procession afterall and they have the right of way. We need to pave way for them. Acharya Mahamandaleswar and other Main Sadhus come in Chariots. It is their Royal procession and they showcase themselves and thats what we have come to witness.

Suddenly I see one of our group members who came with his little children and aged parents and parents in laws walking with utmost devotion chanting Shiva s name. I was proud of him. His full family stayed back in the Kutir as it is difficult to manage them in this procession. We walked together and also secretly there was this aged man who also joined from Juna Akhada who was safe guarding me.

We walked, it has been quite a few kilometeres, soaking in the grandness of this sureal moment.

And again, we came across few other members of our group. It was even more humbling. They didnt leave my hand untill we got back to our Camp.

Finally amidst all the High energy Sadhus, we reached the Triveni Sangam point where everyone ecstatically jumped for the dip. I froze and stayed on the banks. My friend gave me some water in his hands which I sprinkled on myself. And also few drop fell from the dreadlock flip of a Sadhu!

I had already got a sore throat from the dip last night and didn't have the courage to dip again. But that was a huge mistake, a huge miss! The holy dip with the Sadhus which millions longed for!

The friend in Kaashi when said how energized he felt after taking the dip I felt so foolish to have missed it. Mukesh Puri ji also expressed his disappointment in me. Why didnt i have faith in Mahadeva at that crucial moment!!!

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 Heading to Kumbh for reasons not very sure of. But when there is a gathering of like minded people you need to be there especially when it is of such 'Maha' scale.

My flight was at 5 am and thinking it was enough to check in before an hour, left home leisurely to reach Airport by 4 am. My friend Abhilash K dropped me at the Airport. With very dazed mind entered inside with a very unfamiliar feeling and slight fumble. Waited in a long queue for Check in. The time was ticking and was getting a bit worried and asked the passengers waiting infront at what time their flight was. Their's was at 7 am and i requested if i could go past them and they said my flight last call was already made and asked me to check in the fast counter. Rushing there i was told i cant Board the flight as the Check in is closed. I begged pleaded.. also said i can run fast... But they said it is closed and thats that and no emotions worked. It appeared everything was coming crashing down.. the Money.. The words...

They asked me to check out the airline office in the terminal. Again quickly anxiously enquired. The girl who was rather more sweet said that Can try to transfer the ticket to another flight :" In case there are seats available and would know only at 530 am. The time was 4 30 am. Or else you need to buy a new ticket with a hefty price!!! The transfer charge would not be much.

The one hour anxious wait was a 'Ready to face anything ' phase as there was nothing in my capacity to do anything about the ticket.

One of my friends suggested a few options but everything depended on 5 30 am. Anxiously looking at her in the airline counter she said Hyderabad Varanasi flight is available that was scheduled to depart at 7 am. I tried to tell her if i could get the Banglore route which i was supposed to take but she suggested to take the first flight available. She gave the receipt paid the transfer amount and rushed to check. No!!! No more delaying!

Checked in, passed through security, Boarded the almost full flight. Doors closed, and how lucky, got the window seat with my whole row empty.

My pre booked meal from the earlier flight also came.

So now i know why i am headed to Kumbh. Mahadev of course and Mahavatar Baba.

Love to all. Stay blessed.

 Kumbh Diary 2

Flight safely landed right on time in Hyderabad. Surprise!! Two of my co-campers in Kumbh were also in the same flight. We walked together to our boarding gate for the flight to Varanasi. My co camper, a chemistry scholar got us entry in the lounge area. Made necessary calls and headed to get the delicious heavenly Paper Sweet of Andhra. For my daughter and me (a secret foodie) some food are heavenly. Walked long distance to find the shop that sells it and got back to the boarding gate well in time. Didnt want to take any risk of missing the flight again!!

Again, window seat with my row empty!

Mahadeva!!!! Coming to your town!!!! Kaashi.

 Kumbh Diary 3

And we reached Kaashi, Airport is away from the city of course and was surrounded by fertile fields. Now we have become a group of four headed to the same camp in Kumbh. Hired Uber to Bhelupur and then took an auto to Harishchandra Ghat. Two off the members stayed in Chanda Guest House, in a visibly South Indian corner in the area. We dropped them off there and remaining two of us headed to Scindia Ghat near Manikarnika Ghat where my Babaji stays put.

Hired a boat and swiftly cruised through Ganga and reached Babaji s Kutir. This is where life is just real. Glamour free, Fake free, Pretense free.

Kaashi ghats dont sleep. We spent the night in Manikarnika Ghat with Triloknath Babaji. Maybe Mahadev was there!!! Very surreal experience.

 Kumbh Diary 4

Back home from Maha Kumbh, completely dazed and bodily weak. The cold and monthly cycle.

Came back via Kaashi as was the forward journey. My friend helped me find a guest house near Scindia Ghat which is my home in Kaashi. Getting to a place near the ghats can be difficult as you have to walk up and down the winding narrow gullies or streets with your bag. Only Mahadev can help you as literally nobody else can help.

A friend in our group was with me, his flight got cancelled and seeing that the search for the Guest house seemed to be a herculean task, he decided to take the next available flight back and left for the Airport. Also, it looked like his tolerance level for me crossed the limit. I can be difficult!!! And i started walking with my bag on my back with the google map on and my legs going weaker and weaker. Finally by asking around, reached the guest house.

Waited to check in and finsihed all procedures and he said the room was on the second floor and no lift! Somebody had to carry my luggage up, i just didnt have energy left in me.

Got in the room, changed the first room to bigger one and just went flat on the bed. I was freezing. Layered myself with warm clothing and wanted someone by my side to help me.

I called my Babaji who is in Scindia Ghat and asked him to send Ladoo, the little girl who lives with her father and two little brothers in the Ghat. She is like my second daughter. I didnt know whether she would be able to find her way to the guest house.

I slept. After sometime the owner knocked at my door and said two kids have come to meet me. I was releived, excited and happy.

I got some energy back. Got dressed and wanted to drink black tea. Asked a few tea stalls, they didnt serve black tea. It was my fasting day, Monday. Kaashi is famous for Chai, milk masala matka chai and who would be asking for kaalee chai!!

She guided me through the lanes and soon reached Babji s Kutir. I felt more better. There is a Hanuman Mandir and Ashram right next to his Kutir and last time when i fell sick they had made a Kada for me which gave me so much releif. The swamiji there himself made the Kada for me. I was deeply grateful. Drank it and went back to Kutir or kutiya as they call it.

There was this Man from UK, Babaji s friend, and had a wonderful conversation with him.

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 Kumbh Diary 5

When Body Consciousness took over Soul Consciousness

We reached Maha Kumbh Nagari on the evening of February 1st, 2025. Ten of us travelled from Kaashi to Prayag Raj by UP State AC bus which appeared to be designated just to take us to Kumbh. One of our group member's friend's father in law was the driver and made special arrangement to get us in before start time. However even throughout the journey not many passengers where there and again we had a comfortable journey till the outer limit of Kumbh City. We did have a tea break in between; had left Kaashi at about 10 am.

From Outskirts of the Kumbh city we had to take bike taxi to Ganga Thad from where we had to walk through different sections to finally find our camp, the main Juna Akhada Camp where Sri Mahant Mukesh Puri ji stayed. That was our base. The first recognizable face we saw as we entered Kumbh Nagari was of Mona Lisa's sister. We smiled and walked on though we would have liked to stop and chat and take photos .

Settled in our humble hay huts and had a good lunch served by two of our group members who had reached earlier in the Camp. i had a list of Sadhus i wanted to meet, tried to find people to come along and we went in search and search and didn't meet anyone as it is a really vast area and confusing addresses.

Some went for Triveni Snan, I wasnt ready yet for the Snan. had too many mental and physical blocks to take that dip. wasnt even sure if i want to do it either. My group members had all finished the dip and was asking me why I haven't.

The next day morning again our group members went for the dip and no I wasnt ready yet, one- the Cold, two- the Uncertainty, three- the constant insult by a living soul. Also, my concept of Ganga Mata , close to me is pure and clear like the one flowing in Uttar Kaashi where I was a few years ago. She is really the Mother!

However on day two we met the newly appointed Malayali Mahamandaleshwar Sri Anandavanam Maharaj of Juna Akhada and the imposing Shambu Maharaj of Pilot Baba camp.

In the evening again everyone prepared for Triveni Snan and I was left with no choice but to follow.

Yes, I finally took the dip, taking quite a time to prepare myself step by step.

 Kumbh Mela Diary 7, Kaashi

We stayed in Kaashi on Jan 31, at the start of the journey to Kumbh. Yes, we were in Scindia Ghat with Babaji. Their day starts at night and i took a short nap in the modest Kutiya as my co-traveller was trying to unravel Aghori sadhana from Babaji.

It was now time for Babaji to go to Manikarnika Ghat for his daily Sadhana. He needs to do his shringar and i was given the task to put a big red round bindi and apply the kajal i had with me.

He had to have his prasad in his Patra, the skull. Since i am on Sattvik path i had to as always say No to the fermented drink and he just put one drop on my tongue along with a small piece from the inner layer of the skull. It was too overwhelming for me: not sure whether to devour it or take it out. He said i can do either.

I decided to take it in and chewed on it and a bit of someone's remains on this earth got into my system.

Then we headed to the Shamshan each one of us taking one of Shiva s guarding tools. I took a small Trishul. Spent a whole length of night sitting on a piece of cloth that covered the last body that went on flames. Sitting beside Babaji, a crowd watching and two of aides guarding, living the Truth, you realise there is nothing to lose and nothing to gain.

My mind was empty, not even thinking of Mahadev, totally numb. The sadhana was over and at the exact moment the Electricity went off and the whole of Manikarnika Ghat was plunged in darkness. It was probably a reminder that Mahadev was watching over.

Babaji thanked the Shamshan Karmis, gave them Dakshina and we returned back. Went to the Ashram nearby where were to stay. The room was occupied by a few young men and by the time i got ready and came in my co traveller occupied the other remaining mattress and i was left with just one blanket in the severe cold.

Mahadeva!!

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