P.P. Swamiji releasing the information booklet designed by Komal Patel, a non-Chitrapur as seva towards Lord BhavaniShankar and Maa Saraswati - Photo: Kishan Kallianpur
Veena and Vivek Hattangadi with Dhiren Vyas, another non - Chitrapur volunteer who was in charge of Medical Van for all 5 days of PTSSY
Bhalka Teerth, where Lord Krishna was shot on the feet by Jara, the Bhil hunter - Photo, Dhiren Vyas
Rani-ki-vav - Photograph: Dhiren Vyas
Param Pujya Swamiji interacting with Yatris at Nal Sarovar - Photograph: Dhiren Vyas
P.P. Swamiji watching the baodi at Rani-ki-vav- Photograph: Dhiren Vyas
The author of this blog, Vivek Hattangadi (Sr.) had the continuous blessings of his Ishta Devata, Lord Ganesh, our presiding deity of the Shri Chitrapur Math, Srivalli, Lord BhavaniShankar and his Kul Devata Shri LaxmiNarayan Mahamaya (Ankola) which made PTSSY a grand success. Whenever there were obstacles, the author prayed to them and believe it or not - the solutions came in minutes!
A Virtual Voyage on the River Saraswati
By- Vivek Hattangadi (Sr.) – Ahmedabad
vivekhattangadi@yahoo.co.in
Shri Ganeshaya Namah
Om Shri Gurubhyo Namah
Shri Bhavanishankaraya Namah
Kurukshetra Saraswati Yatra organized by the Delhi Sabha in October – November 2007, marked the inaugural event of the Tercentenary Commemoration. Inspired by this, the Ahmedabad Sabha felt that it too must do something during the Tercentenary Year. During the Devi Anushtan Pooja in August 2007, Shri Shashimam Stalekar put forward the idea of similar Yatra to Sidhpur where River Saraswati is revered. Shri Sureshmam Bankeshwar suggested we carry this Yatra forward to Somnath where River Saraswati meets the Sindhu Sagar (wrongly called as Arabian Sea) and thus a Yatra along the route of River Saraswati in Gujarat was conceived. The idea of the Concluding Saraswati Yatra was put forward to the Tercentenary Commemoration Committee and a presentation was made to P.P. Swamiji on 16th March 2008 at Killa Pardi. Param Pujya Swamiji gave consent. This Yatra was later nomenclatured by P.P. Swamiji as the concluding ‘Prabhas Teerth Somnath Saraswati Yatra (PTSSY)’.
Kurukshetra Saraswati Yatra to Prabhas Teerth Somnath Saraswati Yatra thus symbolically represents that we Chitrapur Saraswats have undetaken a virtual voyage on the River Saraswati during the Tercentenary Year of our Shri Chitrapur Math.
A tiny Sabha like the Ahmedabad Sabha could not have undertaken this mammoth task on hand without help from the other Sabhas. I approached around 30 volunteers from outside Ahmedabad and all of them readily and happily agreed to render Seva during this Yatra. Only after this, the real planning began.
26th to 31st January 2009 were planned and confirmed by Param Pujya Swamiji as the most suitable dates for the Yatra.
Shri Swaminarayan Wadi at Maninagar, Ahmedabad and Shri Somnath Temple Trust Blocks at Somnath were identified as venues for the Yatra. The Yatra route was from Ahmedabad to Rani-ki-vav (Anahilwad-Patan), Bindu Sarovar and Rudra Mahalya (Sidhpur), back to Ahmedabad; the next day to Nal Sarovar – a repository of River Saraswati and then to Prabhas-Patan and Somnath. The return journey was planned via Sasan-Gir Forest.
Param Pujya Swamiji arrived at Ahmedabad three days prior to the PTSSY, i.e. on 23rd Jauary 2009 evening.
On the evening of 24th Janaury, Param Pujya Swamiji released a booklet compiled by me titled "River Saraswati and its Relation with Gujarat" which was later given to all the Yatris in their welcome kit. The booklet was designed by a well known designer and visualizer from Ahmedabad, Ms. Komal Patel, as a seva towards Lord Bhavanishankar, Shri Chitrapur Math, Guru Parampara and Maa Saraswati.
The Yatris started arriving on 26th January 2009. From 4.00am, over 370 Yatris from all over the world (including UAE, US, UK and Canada) started arriving at Ahmedabad as the Prabhas Teerth Somnath Saraswati Yatra was to begin the next day. At the age of 88, the senior most Yatri was Shri Umanathmam Bailur from Mumbai. In fact, we had over 112 Yatris between the ages of 65 and 88 years!
At 6 pm Yatris assembled in the auditorium to get a briefing from me on the Yatra.
Later there was a presentation on ‘River Saraswati’ by a research scholar and renowned ‘Saraswatilogist’, Dr. Jagdish Gandhi. He has done a lot of work on River Saraswati. Dr. Gandhi also showed a video of his journey from Yamadhara, Himalayas to the Triveni Sangam along the banks of Vedic Saraswati. The Yatris left the auditorium considerably more enlightened on the River Saraswati.
On 27th January 5.45 am, the Yatris boarded ten buses assigned to them. Every bus was named after a river from Gujarat and of course Bus No.1 was naturally ‘River Saraswati’.
At 9 am, the Yatris reached the 1100 year old Rani-ki-Vav at Anahilwad-Patan, 140 km from Ahmedabad. The Yatris stepped out onto the lush green lawns surrounding this magnificent heritage. Rani-ki-vav was earlier fed by River Saraswati and later was buried due to nature’s fury. It resurfaced once again only in the 1970’s.
Rani-ki-vav is 7 storeys deep. The view from the top revealed a breathtaking subterranean passageway with stone steps leading to the bottommost (seventh) storey. Tall pillars added charm to the sunlit brown monument. As Yatris approached, one could appreciate the intricacies on the brackets and columns. Each wall has numerous niches with delicately sculptured figures of Hindu deities- especially of the Avatars of Lord Vishnu (Varaha, Vaman, Ram, and Krishna). The visit reinforced our pride of India which was advanced in architecture and engineering right from the Harappan days.
A secret passageway of 25 km leads from Rani-ki-Vav to Sidhpur that served as an escape route for the royal family. Next we left for Sidhpur also known as Siddhakshetra or Siddhasthal.
A comfortable guest room awaited the Yatris. After freshening up, the Yatris reached Bindu Sarovar surrounded by temples. This is the place where Shri Kapila preached the Samkhya philosophy to his mother Devruti; Bhagwan Parashuram performed Pind daan for his mother Devi Renuka. It is believed that Kardama Muni, (son of Manu) had made this spot his Karma Bhoomi.
A special visit was arranged for P.P. Swamiji to the Rudra Mahalaya, an ancient Shiva Temple which is now in ruins. Rudra Mahalaya has a temple of Lord BhavaniShankar. Being a restricted place, Yatris could not visit Rudra Mahalaya.
Some locals came to meet P.P. Swamiji. We had the delight of hearing P.P. Swamiji converse with them effortlessly in fluent Gujarati. In his Pravachan, P.P. Swamiji made use of four languages- Konkani, Hindi, English and Gujarati.
Sidhpur gave us a taste of real Gujarati food - scrumptious Undiyo, Masala Papad, bhakris and chaas; complete with a mixed fruit ice-cream.
Early next morning, i.e. 29th January 2009, at 4.10 am we left for Nal Sarovar. The discipline of the Yatris was incredible. They started waking up at 2.30 am to be on time for the scheduled departure at 4. 00 am. Barely had we reached Nal Sarovar when the rising Suryadev cast his golden rays on the repository of Saraswati. Walking on the marshy ground, a vast expanse of water with bouts of seaweeds and moss spread like a mat; faraway one could see fisherman rowing boats. More species of birds than you can possibly imagine perched on trees or flew in a beautiful V- formation. Every year, it is estimated over 2 lakh birds migrate from chilly Siberia and other cold European countries refuge at Nal Sarovar asking Maa Saraswati to protect them from harsh winters – Maa Saraswati welcomes them.
The Yatris spotted various species of ducks, dartars, red wattled lapwings, the Purple Moore hens, sandpipers, herons, storks and cattle egrets.
At 7.00 am all proceeded to an amphitheatre for Dr. Gandhi’s talk. He emphasized that the knowledge that we imbibe during the Yatra should be passed on to the future generations so that they may be proud of their origin and also help in the revival of River Saraswati.
We started from Nal Sarovar and reached Somnath at 8.00 pm.
Early next morning, i.e. on 28th, at 5.45 am, we waited breathlessly in a serpentine queue at the sprawling New Somnath Temple premises for the darshan of the oldest Jyotirlinga. Constructed from limestone, the temple stands tall with an intricately carved dome with a flag, Trishul and a damru. A huge figure of Nandi faces the Shiva Lingam. The Jyotirlinga is installed in Garbha Griha (sanctum sanctorum) and it faces the east. As soon as the temple gates opened we went inside and occupied our places in the Sabha Mandap. While the Yatris were all eagerly awaiting the arrival of P.P. Swamiji, the Sabha Mandap reverberated with bhajans led by Meerupachi Balsavar and Chaitanyamam Gulwadi in synchronous manner as if they had practiced for months together. The reality however it was spontaneous! The regular visitors and the locals said that never before they have heard such melodious bhajans.
The Yatris were over-awed in the holy presence of the Lord of the Universe. The Maha-Aarti began at 7.00 am and we received a close-up darshan of the Lord as well as Prasadam at the end of the Maha-Aarti.
P.P. Swamiji and the Yatris next proceeded to the Old Somnath Temple built by the Maratha Queen of Indore - Rani Ahliyabai.
A unique feature of the temple is a pillar that points towards the South Pole. This is a continuous line of water till the South Pole without any land mass in between.
After breakfast, all proceeded to Bhalka Teerth where Lord Krishna was shot by a hunter mistaking him for a deer. Here we have a vigraha of Lord Krishna in the same position as he was shot. The Yatris enquired as to why 'Savlya' Krishna’s vigraha is in white marble. The poojari said that after bleeding Lord Krishna’s body had turned pale white – and therefore the Vigraha is in white marble.
The Yatris then proceeded to Triveni Sangam, where Rivers Kapila and Hiranya meet River Saraswati to flow into the Sindhu Sagar (Indian Ocean). At 11 am, at this holy Triveni Sangam, Swamiji sat deeply absorbed in meditation. The sight of Swamiji performing Sadhana against the backdrop of the deep blue waters lifted the hearts of the Yatris to new levels of tranquility.
The next destination was Gita Mandir. At the Gita Mandir, we had the darshan of Muralidhar with his bansuri. The 18th Adhyaya of the Bhagwad Geeta has been inscribed on pillars of the temple.
At 4.30 pm, we began the Dharma Sabha preceded by a round of Bhajans. The Yatris were deeply immersed in the Lord as Swamiji performed Shiva Pooja. After the vote of thanks, Vaidik Sambhavana and Kshamayachana, we were blessed to hear Swamiji’s Ashirvachan.
The grand finale was the Sound and Light show at the Somnath Temple brought to light the history of Somnath right from its construction by the Somaraja (Moon God). Its long history of destruction and reconstruction were depicted through the voice of the Sagar Dev who has been a witness to all since time immemorial.
On 30th January the Yatris took the route through Gir Forest for Ahmedabad. A physically tired but the spiritually charged Yatris reached Ahmedabad at 9.00pm
The high spot of the Yatra was the time discipline maintained by all the 400 Yatris, whether getting up at 2.30 am in the morning to start by 4. 00 am or adhering to time schedules during journey breaks.
The following Yatris from outside Ahmedabad Sabha joined as volunteers:
- Shri Vivekmam Katre – Bangalore
- Smt. Shyamalpachi and Nageshmam Heble - Bangalore
- Smt. Vrindapachi and Vivekmam Kallianpur - Bangalore
- Smt. Priti Panemanglor – Pune
- Smt. Sheelu and Vivek Bijur – Pune
- Smt. Vaishali and Smt. Rupali Heblekar – Pune
- Smt. Bharati and Bhalchandra Karpe – Pune
- Smt. Sabita Harite – Goa
- Smt. Radhika and Dr. Praful Ray – Mumbai
- Smt. Subbhalaxmi and Satish Hattangadi – Mumbai
- Shri Ravi Katre – Mumbai
- Shri Chidanand Kallianpur – Mumbai
- Ms. Vidya Aldangadi – Mumbai
- Ms. Nirmala Rao – Mumbai
- Smt. Meena Baljekar - Mumbai
- Smt. Smita and Shri Anirudh Baljekar – Bangalore
- Smt Vinati and Kedar Udiaver – Hyderabad
- Ms. Alka Lajmi - New Mumbai
- Smt. Asha Awasthi – Bangalore
- Ms. Shivani Haldipur-Kallianpur - Bangalore
- Ms. Urmillapachi Kutty- Mumbai
- Ms. Ankita Bantwal - Hyderabad
The services of the following doctor-Yatris also rendered a lot of help to the Yatris:
- Dr. Rajendra Kaikini – Ahmedabad
- Dr. Vandita Kallianpur – Mumbai
- Dr. (Mrs.) Minal and Dr. Anand Wagle – Roha
- Dr. Chaitanya Gulwadi - Mumbai
- Dr. Kishore Nadkarni - Killa Pardi
- Dr. Ravindra Bijur - Mumbai
- Dr. Vrinda Trikannad - Mumbai
- Dr. Mohan Mankekar - Mumbai
The host Yatri-volunteers included Satish Kabad, Kalpana and Sanjay Kabad, Hemant Kaikini, Veena Hattangadi, Mohanmam Kabad, Arun Rao, Vivek Hattangadi (Jr.), and Shashimam Stalekar. The work particularly of Arun Rao and Hemant Kaikini, who went into the smallest of the details to make the Yatris comfortable, was appreciated by all Yatris.
Archana Rao - who was in charge of MIS - ensured that there was smooth check-in of Yatris.
Timely help from Siddhanand Padukone and Dinesh Panje is also valued.
We are also grateful to Shri Kishoremam Sashital who along with Shri Kishorebhai Kotak (Secretary - Somnath Trust)was responsible for helping us out for the wonderful arrangements at Somnath. Shri Tharubhai Manjeria helped us at Sasan-Gir.
And of course, the continuous help and guidance we received from Gen. Prakash Gokarn and Shri Maheshmam Kalyanpur of the Tercentenary Committee cannot be forgotten.
The scores of e-mails, letters and telephone calls being received is testimony enough of the successful execution of the meticulous plan made for the Yatra.
Namah Parvate Pate Har, Har Mahadev
Vivek Hattangadi
Ahmedabad
vivekhattangadi@yahoo.co.in
