STILL LIFE: Another Day in Deva Bhoomi - Rishikesh

After many years of thinking, finally my cousins Ritesh and Ravi decided to join me on my latest trip to Rishikesh. Recently one of my friends asked me, which temple I visit to meditate and practice sadhana and I said, "You don't need a temple, just sit down any where on the banks of Holy River Ganges, you will find peace". And I believe it so... as many of the Rishi, Saints and Sadhu's have been doing Tapasya in and around this place for thousands of years and the Ganges has been the source of their energy...

This time, I was invited by Swami Omkarananda Ji to spend some time with him on this trip as well as work on the Yoga Center and it was a pleasure to be with him. The place where we stayed, curtsy Swami Ji, is the ashram where South Indian Star Rajnikanth stays regularly. It was interesting to hear from Swami Ji some of the stories about the simplicity of the Star, who could actually go out to have Ground nuts from the road side stall, without getting mobbed...

The following images from the journey to one of the most holiest places ... Hope you will enjoy them.

Although the journey started in Delhi, this is on the way to Rishikesh
from Dehradoon...

This time, there were two camera crazy guy, happily capturing the journey
while...

... Shilu kept on waiting on the side lines of our shooting spree..

As we reached ashram, the beautiful sky line welcomed, in its full
glory. The holy river Ganges was very inviting as it softly flowed by...

Soon, we were joined by our host, Swami Omkarananda... before we were
to leave for one of the most powerful temple of 'Neelkanth Mahadev"

Though the sun was not too hot, but some were looking for
opportunity to pose....

And the journey to Neelkanth Mahadev was on...

Neel Kanth Mahadev Temple, 30 KMs by road from Rishikesh, is
beautiful but then the trek of 16 KMs is far more exciting..

One of my favorite places 'Little Buddha Cafe - German Bakery',
The view of the river is beautiful from the place.. as we waited for...

Swami ji along with Satya and his wife to join us for dinner...
Those few hours together was very interesting as we discussed Yoga..

Sun rise is always beautiful in Rishikesh. After hours of meditation
along the banks of Holy Ganges, this view is powerful source of energy...

The ashram also hosts Super Star Rajnikanth, who visits regularly and stays
in this room. Interesting to hear about him from Swami Omkaranada.

As Superstar Rajnikanth loves to do, many of the devotees spend time,
deep in meditation... One of the devotees caged in her own thoughts...

One of my favorite places in Rishikesh, Muni Ke Reti - The Beach along
the river, soft sand white and serene invites you to sit down and think...

While some of the kids monkey around in the sand... they wanted me
to capture their backward flip... 

And some monkey, fooling around with Coca Cola.. yes finally he /she
opened it ...

And some (more?) ... having fun in the river Ganges at Triveni Ghat

And some are watching the life pass by...

Some are devoting themselves to a life of devotion....

Another day started with spiritual bath and the ritual breakfast of
Puri, Sabji and Jalebi... 

And the time to take our leave of Rishikesh and holy river Ganges..
It was interesting, at many levels, to be with my cousins on this trip.

Swami Omkarananda and his friend, joined us to see us off. It was good
learning as I spend some time with him... Looking forward to next time

And the sun sets on another journey to Deva Bhoomi Rishikesh...

Hope you have liked the walk with me on this journey of self exploration ...

__

Shashi

ॐ नमः शिवाय

Om Namah Shivaya

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Through the lens of Kaanvaria - Rishikesh

WANDERLUST: The Path Within (Part 1)- Two days in Rishikesh Himalaya

Every year, I visit Rishikesh in Himalaya but this time I got a chance to visit devbhoomi (God’s own earth) in the Hindu month of Shravan (July – Aug). Shravan month is sacred in Hindu system for various festivals that are celebrated during this period like Janamashtami (Lord Krishna’s birthday), Raksha Bandhan, Naag Panchami, Basava Panchami etc. Shravani Mela is a major festival time at Deoghar in Jharkhand with thousands of saffron-clad pilgrims bringing holy water around 100 km on foot from the Ganges at Sultanganj.

Shiva Statue at Haridwar

Shravan is also the time of the annual Kanwar Yatra, the annual pilgrimage of devotees of Shiva, known as Kanwaria make to Hindu pilgrimage places of Haridwar, Gaumukh and Gangotri in Uttarakhand to fetch holy waters of Ganges River. Kanwar yatra is related to churning of ocean of the milk in Hindu Puranas. When poison came out before Amrita and world started burning from its heat then lord Shiva accepted to inhale poison. But, after inhaling it he started suffering from negative energy of poison. In Treta Yuga Lord Shiva's devout follower Ravana did meditation. He brought holy water of Ganga by using kanwar and pour it on lord Shiva temple in Puramahadev. It released Lord Shiva from the negative energy of poison.

As I was in Delhi during the time of Kanwar Yatra, I thought of going to Rishikesh to bring Ganga Jal (Holy Ganges Water) for the rituals in home. So here is my pilgrimage to Rishikesh from Dehradun divided in Two Parts, (due to the length of the post was too big to be unleashed on un-suspecting readers J). The story below is from the DAY ONE and to read the second part, DAY TWO, click here…

Sculpture of Lord Krisha as Charioteer, giving knowledge of Bhagwat Gita
to warrior Arjuna at Triveni Ghat in Rishikesh

yada yada hi dharmasya | glanir bhavati bharata ||

abhyutthanam adharmasya | tadatmanam srjamy aham ||

Praritranaya Sadhunam | Vinashaya Cha Dushkritam ||

Dharamasansthapnaya |Sambhavami Yuge-Yuge.||

 – BHAGWAT GITA CHAPTER IV – SHLOKA 7-8

(To hear this shloka, click here)

(Whenever and wherever there is a decline in religious practice, O descendant of Bharata, and a predominant rise of irreligion--at that time I descend Myself. For the protection of the good, for the destruction of the wicked and for the establishment of righteousness, I am born in every age.) 

My journey started from Delhi, by Rajdhani Express, one of the fastest train to reach Dehradun. I usually travel to Rishikesh, by road, but because of the large rush of Kanwarias, the road from Delhi to Rishikesh via Meerut, Roorkee etc is closed for traffic. Well, this kind of thing can only happen in India I guess. The idea was to reach Dehradun and then after over night stay, planned to visit Rishikesh, starting very early in the morning.

The rains has swept the forest, the land and the atmosphere clean and pure. The clouds in the distance hugging the mountain hills, were almost giving you a call to change your course and head for those peaks. 

On the way, there I saw prayer flags of Buddhist  wondering about those monks and kind of searched them around. I have special affinity towards Buddhism, as I believe in their concept of peace and harmony, to a large extent. As it was getting delayed and could not find anyone around, I moved on, as the distance was long and I had to reach Rishikesh before the sun was high in the east.

The weather was lovely, the clouds gave me company all the way from Dehradun and at the Triveni Ghat, they come out in full form. Hiding the distant Himalayan peaks from view and soft falling rain drops, made the first impression of Holy River Ganges, an amazing experience. Compared to all the times, that I have had visited this Devabhoomi, the river was in full flow. it reminded me of the recent devastation, the cloud burst and floods in the upper region of Himalaya, specially in Kedarnath, this river has brought on its way. The life is not only about salvation and enlightenment or even of living in karma, but also of being compassionate and soulful in the face of calamity and difficulties. I was happy the way, the local people have had taken this in their stride and brought the normalcy back in their life, after a devastating catastrophe that left 10s of thousand dead. 

Unusually, the Triveni Ghat was uncrowded and the banks of the river afforded a lovely view of the long stretch of the beach. I could see my brother in law who accompanied me in this journey in the distance...

Reaching the final destination, at last I was relieved. The soft spray from the waves of Ganges, from the steps of the ghat, washed away all the exertion and tiredness. In the back ground, two of the fishermen, were fishing for things (Netting Coins, offerings and some times I was told, dead bodies in recent times) and the other side of the bank, was the beginning of the forest, that is said to contain wild elephant, assorted animals and many yogis who live in isolation. On the way to Neelkanth Mahadev Temple (probably the most powerful temple of Lord Shiva around Rishikesh, 30 KM's by road and 12 KMs by trek), some times one does come across some of them.

In the distant bank, a family moved along, probably in search of a place to bath and refresh. The way kids were hanging on to the mother, it looked more like a search of secluded spot for feeding them. 

And another women, found a spot along the bank to probably meditate on this around her and her life... seeking solution or solitude or just a time to reflect. I find that the banks of the Ganges, in itself is a powerful trigger to push you on a journey of self discovery. If you just let yourself flow in the flow of Ganges, you will probably end up flowering within... and that's one of the reason, Rishikesh - The Spiritual Capital of the World, beckons me all the time. 

But then there is day to day life... like this girl focused on reaching her school, that's further down the river. Determination on her face speaks a lot about her way of worship. Gnana Yoga perhaps...

After spending the day in the Triveni Ghat, having a most refreshing bath in the river, cleansing myself of toxicity of urban living, meditating for hours along the bank, I reluctantly moved back to the place where my brother-in-law has parked his beautiful yellow Nano car. A long last look back, revealed that the monsoon clouds have lifted a little to give me the glimpse of distant mountain peaks (One of them is Neel Kanth Mahadev peak). This reminded me of my last visit there. I remembered Shiva silently, seeking Neelkanth's blessings for family, friends and every one around me...

The journey back is always full of emotions, reverie and deep feeling of bliss. The mantra yoga chant always fills me with energy and reverence for the universal soul and cosmic design. How the freshness of the road side flowers, fruits and vegetables, permeates within the heart, making Purusha (Man/soul) and Prakriti (Nature) one, within; reminding that there is nothing separate, every thing that is there, is there because of you, connected with you, your path and the cosmic design. If only one can realise that the dreams, desires and destination is not isolated events, occuring in separate time and space but in this reality of 'now' and here, Life will become beautiful on its own, without a need to dream, to desire and of destination. 

No one reaches any where by walking but by knowing where to go.

And the path is always there... for you to know, if only you look for it within...

____________________________

... Contd DAY TWO

__

Shashi

ॐ नमः शिवाय

Om Namah Shivaya

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STILL LIFE:

Through the Lens of Kanwaria

23rd Edition

Welcome to 23^rd Edition of “Shadow Dancing With Mind”

This edition is in celebration of friends, who have helped me achieve 100K hits, 1000’s of comments with 215 posts and 356 followers.

TALKING POINT : The things that have made me think

"Why We Love + Cheat" explains Dr. Helen Fisher researching the topic for more than 3 decades

'LOVE – The most powerful brain system' says Dr. Helen Fisher. In this TEDTalk by Dr. Helen Fisher, I find the anatomy of Love discussed thread bare with an interesting result that we are built in such a way that we can love many people at any point of time. It’s a great talk and I would recommend you to watch the video, where in her own beautiful style with Stories, poetry, humour and lot of intelligence and hard research thrown in, she proves and I quote,

“I don't think, honestly, we're an animal that was built to be happy; we are an animal that was built to reproduce”

Click here to read more…

UP, CLOSE & PERSONAL : People who have touched a chord in my heart

Lou Andreas-Salomé Birthday (12th Feb) - Love Interest of German Philosopher Nietzsche

I rediscovered her while watching the movie "When Nietzsche Wept" few days back recommended by one of my friend. I had read about her while doing a little research on Nietzsche and found her to be a very interesting character in real life too. Her relationship with distinguished western luminaries, like Nietzsche, Wagner, Freud, and Rilke, got me thinking about what actually made her out to be, what kind of person she was... 

Click here to read more…

WANDERLUST : Following passions of heart, mind and soul

Maha Shiva Ratri - The night Shiva Married

Today is the most Holy day of Lord Shiva, Maha Shiva Ratri, which according Hindu Scripture's is supposed to be the most favorite day of Lord Shiva. Its also believed that today, Lord Shiva married His consort Parvati. On this lovely and auspicious day, walk with me to some auspicious place across India, associated with Lord Shiva  that has touched me deeply and blessed me with peace and love...

Click here to read more…

Neelkanth Mahadev Temple - Rishikesh

New Year usually brings me to the most spiritual place – Rishikesh on the foothills of Himalayas. I am sharing my journey to one of the most powerful temples of Shiva around Rishikesh - Neelkanth Mahadev Temple. The 4 hour trek passes through picturesque dense forest alongside serene rivers Pankaja and Madhumati. But before I take you on to a journey through my images captured on the way, I would like to share…

Click here to read more…

BOOK REVIEW : Reading and then sharing books

Chicken Soup For Indian Soul

This lovely book is compilation of ‘inspiring 101 stories about meeting challenges and growing up’ in life, which took me back to the dreams I have had, the aspiration that I aspired for and the childhood I grew up in. This is not a book only for the teens but for many of the older generation, who will benefit by reading these inspiring stories…

Click here to read more…

WHISPERS : My words, Poetry and Haiku

Lost Soul and Love in Haiku

People in our life come and go but sometimes one chooses to remain with someone, forever, even though the farewells have happened. The reason for this deep rooted attachment, may not be in the soil of this life, but probably in all the other lives you have lived… so here I am trying to explore the “Lost Soul” among the debris of lives, lived along with some of my Haiku about love and its expression in verse (To know more about Haiku, Click here…)

Click here to read more…

The Journey....

St. Valentine’s Day for me means as the day of remembering those who have been with you on your journey for some time or forever. Who precipitated the essence of your living, into the seed within, that burst forth in flowering, as time passes by. Making the path of living more vibrant and beautiful for the travellers in your wake... so here I am again with some of my Haiku about the path and then a longer verse about the journey…

Click here to read more…

In Remembrance & Moon Haiku...

Haiku about a beautiful moonrise and the longer verse “Where Ever I Will Fall...” 

Click here to read more…

Withered Dreams... Haiku on Love...

Sharing some Haiku on LOVE and a longer verse “Withered Dreams...”

100,000 Hits and my Top Five blog posts...

Well this month beginning, my blog reached a great milestone of 100,000 hits. To celebrate this, I am sharing the top five posts (From 200+ posts) that have been read most… though there are many posts, that I personally like and are good features but since some of them are posted a little later, hence I guess those didn’t make it to the top five… though I am happy to see that Rishikesh made it to the tops too... :-)

Click here to read more…

_________________________
Hope you will enjoy this edition... look forward to your comments and visit to the next Edition... please click on the “Join this Site” button on the right hand side top corner to follow my activities here...

__________________
Shashi @ March 2012

ॐ नमः शिवाय

Om Namah Shivaya

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22^nd Edition

WANDERLUST: Maha Shiva Ratri - The night Shiva Married

Today is the most Holy day of Lord Shiva, Maha Shiva Ratri, which according Hindu Scripture's is supposed to be the most favorite day of Lord Shiva. Its also believed that today, Lord Shiva married His consort Parvati. On this lovely and auspicious day, walk with me to some auspicious place across India, associated with Lord Shiva  that has touched me deeply and blessed me with peace and love...

Shiva's tall statue at Haridwar...

From Himalaya, in North, to ....

Kedarnath Peak in Himalaya

 ...to down south, Lord Shiva is worshiped today in simple rituals of purifying oneself by bath and then bathing Shivalinga four times till night.... 

Rameshwaram Temple

 Fasting and then performing abhishekam, aarti etc... in the evening...

Most beautiful Aarti on the banks of Holy River ganges
Varanasi

 Since morning devotees go over to the near by rivers and lakes to bring out water to bathe Lord Shiva...

Village folks going to the river to bring the water to
Bathe Shiva... This image is from a temple (in the back
ground you can see the temple) in Bihar
Which few of us friends joined to construct...

 Many of the places that I have had visited, I find that the most simple things are most beautiful and full of energy. This one Shiva Linga here gave me a blissful experience....

Vashishth Cave - Rishikesh

 ...below is another powerful temple - at Jageshwar, introduced to me by younger brother, is supposed the the place where Maha Mrityun Japa (A Shiva mantra for Longevity) was created....

Mahamrityunjaya Temple at Jageshwar

 The Kedarnath Temple, is one of the most powerful temple of Lord Shiva... Its here that Adi Shankaracharya, one of the most powerful Guru of Vedic Knowledge, left his body to merge with Shiva... the place is situated at the height of 4000 Mts in Himalaya and 13 KMs of beautiful trek to reach the temple, made me most ecstatic and the Shivalinga there is full of positivity and blessings...

Kedar Nath temple - Himalaya

 This Shiva Linga on the banks of Holy River ganges at Patna - Bihar, faces the most beautiful expanse of serene and elegant river...

Shiva Linga at Patna

This Kubernath temple, near my village in Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh, has been a place where my spirituality took roots since childhood...

Kuber Nath Temple - Kushinagar

Known as Kashi of south, Kaanchipuram is a famous temple town near Chennai. The mango tree in the background is supposed to be the desecndant of the tree from the Vedic Era. Its said that the tree's four branches gives different type of fruit and hence is associated with the four Vedas...

Kanchipuram Temple

 A beautiful trek in the forest, above the Temple town Jageshwar, is the Brihad Jageshwar Temple... where its said that Yogi's from Himalaya come to perform Tantrik Sadhana's and Meditation... A powerful and lovely place...

Brihad Jageshwar Temple

 Its believed that where the Holy Ganges is, there will be Lord Shiva. In Hindu Scriptures, its said that when Ganga was asked to descend from heaven, Lord Shiva offered to bear her fall, due to the request and prayers of Bhagirathi... The Deva Prayaag is the place, where Alaknanda & Mandakini meet and then move on to the plains of India, known as Holy River Ganges....

Deva Prayaag - The confluence

The Rishikesh, popularly known as Deva Bhoomi (The land of Gods) and some call it, Spiritual Campital of the world, is a place, where I am at my most content self. Each and every thing about the place, gives you energy... if you just take a break from the chaos of mind and live in that present moment... in 'now'

(Click here to walk with me in and around Rishikesh...)

With my friend, in whose cave on the banks of Holy Ganges,
I spent few days and night, in meditation, rituals and Mantra Yoga

Hope that this walk with me, on such an auspicious day, gives you the sense of connection with that cosmic soul and permeates within you the contentment, bliss and happiness... May Lord Shiva bless you with health, wealth and Happiness in years to come.

Leaving you with lamp of light from the new year meditation at Sivananda Ashram Rishikesh..

(Click here to hear powerful Shiva Mantra)

________

ॐ नमः शिवाय 

Om Namah Shivaya

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Neel Kanth Mahadev Temple - Rishikesh