Jai Sriman Narayana !!
11th September 2010
Left Bangalore by air to New Delhi
and met Krishna and Kavitha at New Delhi airport. From there we proceeded to
Kanpur by overnight train to join the Mumbai group of yatris.
12th September 2010
Reached
Kanpur early in the morning and we were received by Bus no 5 -Dasharathan(A/C
coach). The entire convoy of buses were named after Ramayana characters like
Sitaram, Bharatan, Lakshmanan, Shatrughnan, Dasharathan, Kousalya, Sumithra,
Vasishtar, Vishwamithrar, Guhan, Hanuman, Sugreevan, Jatayu and Vibhishanan
from bus nos. 1 to 14. The 15th bus was Kaikeyi (sparebus), 16th
was an ambulance named Sushenan and 17th bus was
called Shabari which carried the caterers of the tour. Every bus had a
volunteer and one associate volunteer who were constantly kept informed about
the day to day programme and room allotment etc;. As soon as we got into the
bus every yatri was given an ID card with his/her name, registration no., Bus
no. and Bus volunteer’s tel. Nos. All were given a cap and two books with yatra
details. Generally all the buses had 2 drivers and a cleaner. The
caterers were divided into 2 groups of which one group would go ahead to the
designated places for cooking and keeping the food ready while every bus had a
cook who would serve the passengers at the designated time. Generally they
served coffee in the morning followed by breakfast (baala bhogam) around 8 am
Lunch between 1 pm and 2 pm, again coffee around 5 pm followed by dinner at 8
pm every day. Certain days there would be early lunch (brunch) around 10.30am
and snacks with coffee at 4.00 pm. The meal contents were mainly south Indian
with rice based dishes, one curry, sambar, curd rice and sweet. Only once they
served puris and sagu. The quantity was really filling. General accompaniment
of curd rice was salted chilli or dried pickle of lime. Overall it was an
excellent balanced diet.
Our bus had certain intra-bus
activities and disciplines. Every morning we used to chant Thirupallandu,
Thirupalliyeluchhi and Thiruppavai. Evening was the time for
Vishnusahasranamam. In between people sang and participated in bhajans. We also
had the Thiruvoimozhi chanting. Our bus volunteer Mr Ramanujam and his
associate Mr Kulashekaran had inculcated a system by which every passenger
would move one seat behind every day so that no one is continuously troubled by
the back seat inconveniences and every one would experience it in turn. Mr
Kulashekaran would keep a watch on all yatris and make sure that all were in
the bus before it departed anywhere.
At every place we reached, we would
have parayanam of the verses from Valmiki Ramayana relevant to that place
followed by Upanyasam by Velukkudi Krishnan Swamy. The group was accompanied by
5 to 6 erudite scholars who would go from bus to bus during the road journey
and would engage the yatris with relevant topics of discussion from Ramayana
and Vishishtadwaita philosophy. The group consisted of young NRIs in bus no 1,
Vaidikas in bus no 2 and others from Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Chennai.
Apart from these there was an excellent group of volunteers who had done
extensive spade work right from locating many of these remote places and worked
out strategies to navigate the convoy and making local arrangements regarding
stay, food, basic needs and local transport arrangements for 600 yatris to have
darshan at each and every place.
From Kanpur railway station we were
driven to Bittur. This is the place where Maharshi Valmiki Ashram exists. We
had our first holy dip in Ganga (Tamasa) River and given coffee and breakfast
in a college premises As we had reached this place earlier we had all the time
for leisurely bath coffee etc;. The yatris from Chennai and Bangalore reached
in the afternoon and we all reached Valmiki ashram by midday. Here we had
darshan and upanyasam and parayanam of Ramayana (Baalakanda 4th
sarga, Uttarakanda 49th, 65th, and 66th sargas). From
here we travelled all through the night and reached Ayodhya in the morning.
13th September 2010
At Ayodhya we were put up at Manasa
bhavan which had comfortable rooms with attached toilets. Each room lodged 4
yatris. Only after reaching Ayodhya in the morning we realised that due to
heavy security how difficult it was to enter Ayodhya and Sri Velukkudi Krishnan
Swamy was extensively scrutinised by the local authorities. We could not have
managed this but for the timely help of local DGP who deputed an officer to
accompany the convoy. Due to this the programme changed slightly and we stayed
in Ayodhya for two continuous days instead of two different days as per the
earlier plan.
We all then went to Sarayu River for
bath and there we had upanyasam about significance of Sarayu. Then we all left
to visit Ram Janmabhoomi, Hanuman gaddi and Dasharath Bhavan by the local
transport in groups. Due to heavy security we could not take any pictures in
these places. Later in the evening we went to Lakshman Ghat which is the place
from where Lakshman left this world to reach the heavenly abode. We also had Parayanam
of Ramayana (Uttarakanda 106th sarga). This followed by a visit to
Vasishta kund. This is the place Ram Lakshman Bharat and Shtrughna went to Gurukul
for their early education. Here we had Parayanam of Ramayana (Baalakanda 15th
sarga). Then we left to Guptar Ghat, a location where Rama left to his heavenly
abode with all wiiling Ayodhyavasis. Here we had parayanam of Ramayana
(Uttarakanda 109th and 110th sargas) and upanyasam. The day
ended with a visit to Kanak Bhavan which was earlier the palace of Sita and
Rama.
14th
September 2010
After the morning bath etc; we
visited Valmiki Bhavan which is a huge auditorium with entire Valmiki Ramayana
inscribed all around on the wall. Here we had Parayanam of Ramayana (Baalakanda
18th sarga) and upanyasam. Then we visited Ammaji Mandir which is a
temple of Srinivasa and pooja goes on here as per south Indian tradition. Then
the yatris reached Thothadri mutt where we were blessed by Vanamamalai jeer and
the deity. Here there was a phenomenal sight of Rama in the cradle, rocked by
Kulashekaralvar as Kousalya. Sri Sundararajar priest from Kumbakonam showed us
his magnanimous profess in decorating the accompanying utsavar in various forms
suitable to that occasion. This followed with lunch.
In the afternoon we left to
Nandigram to see Bharat Milap, place where Bharat stayed for 14 years during
Ram’s exile and met Hanuman who announced the return of Ram after killing
Raavana. Here we had Parayanam of Ramayana (Ayodhyakand 115th sarga
and Yudhhakand 125th sarga) and upanyasam. We also had darshan of
the deity, decorated Bharata worshipping Sitaram and his Paduka. We left after
this to Buxar in Bihar.
15th September 2010
In the morning we left Buxar and
reached Kamashram for a holy dip in the adjacent pond. This was the place where
Kama was burnt by Shiva by opening his third eye. Ram and Lakshman stayed in
this place while they accompanied Sage Vishwamitra and he sang them the famous
suprabhatam (Kousalya supraja rama). Here we had parayanam of Ramayana
(Baalakanda23rd sarga) and upanyasam. Then we visited Siddhashrama which was
the place where Vishwamitra completed his penance successfully with the help of
Ram and Lakshman. At present it is a part of Buxar jail and a special
permission was obtained to visit.
In the evening we walked to
Thatakavan where the demoness Thataka was killed by Ram. There we visited an old
Vaikuntanath Mandir and had Parayana of Ramayana(Baalakanda of 25th
26th 29th and 30th sarga).Night was spent in
Buxar itself.
16th September 2010
The convoy headed to Goutham ashram
in the morning which is at Chapra(Revalgunj). Here Ganga and Sarayu rivers meet
as sangam. This is the place where Ahalya was blessed by Ram. Here we had Parayanam
of Ramayana (Baalakanda 48th and 49th sarga). From here
we proceeded to Sonepur which is also known as Gajendra moksha sthal. Here
Ganga and Gandaki rivers meet. Ganga and Shonakshi rivers meet on the way. Rest
of the night was spent on the road to Seethamarhi which is the birth place of
Sita.
17th September 2010
Reached
Sithamarhi almost early in the morning and stayed for a short while at a Dharmashala
and proceeded to the temple for bath in the nearby pond. This place is
mentioned as Sita’s birth place in Bhagavatham and Vishnupuranam. We had short
Upanyasam here about the place and proceeded to Janakpuri in Nepal. The planned
Dhanushadham visit on the way was dropped as we were lagging behind time to
reach Janakpuri. The visit to Janakpuri was unforgettable as we had traditional
Seethakalyanam performed ritualistically in the palace of Janakpuri. Huge
pandal was erected and amidst lot of fanfare witnessed by thousands of people
both yatris and locals, Sita wedded Ram with a bhajan group singing the
appropriate bhajan. The decoration of Sita swayamvar and Sitaram wedding was
beyond words to describe. After the function the yatris visited the actual
auditorium where Sitaand Ram married and the adjacent temple and had the
wedding feast. Then we took off to Allahabad in the night.
18th September 2010
The day was entirely spent
travelling in the bus. The expected 14 hours took 26 hours as the drivers were
tired, road was longer and bad as the straight short route was not safe for
night travel. However, food was supplied by the crew at the right time.
19th September 2010
Landed at Allahabad at Bangur Yatrinivas
early in the morning and went to Triveni sangam (confluence of Ganga, Yamuna
and Saraswati) for a holy dip. Visited Bharadwajashrama nearby and drove to
Shrungaberapuram which was the place of Guha (king of boatsmen) on the bank of
Ganges. Here we visited Guha temple and Temple of Rishyashrunga muni and
Shanta. Had upanyasam here and went to a little remote place Ramshayanasthal,
where Ram and Sita rested on their way to Chitrakoot Here we had parayanam of
Ramayana (Ayodhyakanda 50th sarga).Later we left from there to
Chitrakoot.
20th September 2010
We checked in Ram Darbar at
Chitrakoot which was the best accommodation in the whole trip. Rooms were
spacious with attached clean and roomy bathrooms. Yatris stayed here for 2
nights which eased all the fatigue of the earlier long journey. Morning we went
to Spatikashila and bathed in Mandakini River. Then visited Guptgodavari from
where the river originates. The approach is a small cave like opening in the
hill which widens inside and there are multiple water origins called Sita kund,
Dhanush kund and Ramlakshman kund. The scenic beauty of the approach path is
explicit. After this we went to Atri Anasuya ashram which has been converted
into a museum with models depicting the stories in the epics. Here Ram received
divine armour from sage Atri and Sita received the code of conduct of a
pativrata from Anasuya. In the evening we visited Hanumandhara which is again
an origin of water from the hill top. We had to climb about 500 steps to reach
the temple. Then went around Kamadgiri which is a small hillock around which
there is a walking path of 5 kms as parikrama. Saw Bharat milap on the way
where Ram and Bharat met in Chitrakoot. There are foot prints of Ram and
Bharat, Lakshman and Shathrughna and Sita and Kousalya. Here Parayanam of
Ramayana (Ayodhyakand 112th 113th sarga)
21st September 2010
Drove along
the Dandakaranya and passed through Viradha Kund. Couldn’t go to the actual
place as it is 10 km deep in dense forest. Visited Sharabhanga ashram and had
parayanam of Ramayana (Aaranykand 5th sarga). Then proceeded to
Sutheekshnashram and read Ramayana (Aaranyakand 7th 8th
and 11th sarga.The visit to Agasthyashram was most memorable as it
showed the extensive spade work done by the volunteers. This place is
inaccessible to the tourist without the help of the local villagers. The yatris
here were warmly welcomed by the local school children, villagers and local
politicians. Tractors were arranged to navigate 600 yatris till the small
rivulet which flows at the foot hills of the ashram. From here we had to walk
in knee deep water and then climb a rough and steep steps reach the temple on
the top. Here about 108 sages were supposed to have performed penance. Here we
had parayanam of Ramayana (Aaranyakand 11th and 12th
sarga). VKS spoke to the villagers in Hindi and assured monetary help by the
trust to renovate the place. Here Ram is supposed to have received divine
armours from sage Agasthya. There is a unique archaeological sculpture of Ram
in this place. From here we tried to reach Kundinapura (Rukmini’s birthplace)
and visit Rukmini temple but could not make it as we got delayed. Hence
proceeded nonstop to Ramtek (2nd Agasthyashrama)
22nd September 2010
As we could reach Ramtek only by
afternoon, we stopped by Narmada River for bath. Ramtek has an ancient Ram,
Lakshman and Paduka temples. No photographs were allowed. Ramtek is also
considered as 2nd Agasthyashram (3rd Agasthyashram is
near Manmad) and has Ramgiri and Ramtalab in the vicinity. Ram killed Shambuka
here to maintain the balance of varnashramadharma. We had Parayanam of Ramayana
(Uttarakand 73rd 74th and 75th sarga).
23rd September 2010
Our bus reached Mukthi Dham Dharmashala
at Nasik (Panchavati) first and had an opportunity to visit Ram ghat, Kalaram
mandir, Sita guha, Maya Mareecha museum, Parnakuti and Lakshman mandir. Here we
had Parayanam of Ramayana (Aaranyakand 18th and 45th
sarga).
24th September 2010
Next day visited Tapovan with the
rest of the crowd after a holy dip in Godavari. There was upanyasam and
parayanam of Ramayana (Aaranyakand 15th and 30th
sarga).This is supposed to be the confluence of Kapila and Godavari
rivers. Here few of the yatris discontinued the yatra and few Mumbaiites joined
us for short stay in Nasik. Visited Thaket which is Jatayu Mokshasthal and had
Parayanam of Ramayana (Aaranyakand 67th and 68th sarga)
and Upanyasam.
25th September 2010
The convoy travelled overnight to
reach Hospet in Karnataka, with a short stop at Ashvath Lakshminarasinha
kshetra for bath in Malaprabha River. We reached extremely scenic Kishkinda
(Anegundi) and visited Anjanadri temple, Vali vadha sthana,Lakshminarasiha
temple, Ranganatha temple and finally Matanga ashram which has Shabari guhe. We
also saw Pampa Sarovar in the dark.
26th
September 2010
We started the day with a holy dip
in Tungabhadra River and visited the ruins of Hampi, Sugriva guhe, Ram temple
where all 4 Ram Sita Lakshman and Hanuman are carved in a single stone. Then we
proceeded to see the huge monolithic Narasimha, ruins of Vijayavithala temple
and Malyavan Raghunatha temple. Here we had upanyasam and Prayanam of Ramayana
(Kishkindakand 5th 26th 27th 44th
66th sarga and Yuddhakand 4th sarga)
27th September 2010
Reached Mysore early morning and
drove to Lakshmana Theertha (Irpu falls) via Nagarhole wild life sanctuary by
KSRTC buses. Here we had bath upanyasam and parayanam of Ramayana (Yuddhakand 4th
sarga). Returned to Mysore and left for Rajapalyam
28th September 2010
We reached Rajapalyam in the morning
and bathed in a local boarding school premises and proceeded to Kadayanallur
Hanuman temple. Here we saw Swayamprabha guhe and her statue. From here we
proceeded to Thirukkurungudi and visited Malaimel Nambi temple. Many of us
walked up and down the hill, which was stamina testing. Then we visited Nambi Perumal
koil where he is in three forms Ninra nambiKidanda nimbi and Veetrirunda nambi.
Here we had Upanyasam on how Nammalvar sang the praises of the deity (in
Parankushanayika bhava). From here we again travelled in the night to reach
Thiruppullani.
29th September 2010
We reached Ramnadu in the morning
and drove to Sethukkarai for bath in the sea. We had Parayanam of
Ramayana (Yuddhakand 17th 18th 22nd and 123rd
sarga) at Setukkarai Veeraanjaneya temple. From here we were picked up by Mr
Sundar(Dr Pandian’s brothert in law) and got us special seva in the
Adijagannatha temple. Visited Dharbhashayana Ramar, Pattabhiramar, Santhanagopalan,
and Ashvatthavruksha perumal. Here we had the concluding debate on the various
debates posed earlier in the bus. Finally concluded by the Upanyasam. We also
visited the Kadal Kattia Perumal Sannidhi at Devipattinam. Left Thirupullani
and reached Srirangam by 9.30 pm.
30th September 2010
We stayed in Dr Murali’s aunt’s
service apartment and engaged a taxi for the local visits. Went early to the
Srirangam temple for Vishvaroopa seva and had darshan of the lord Ranganatha
and Goddess Ranganachiyar, Koorathalvan, Desikar and Narasimhar. We
attended the Ramapattabhisheka parayana (Yuddhakand 128th sarga) at
Odeyavar sannidhi. Group photos were taken bus wise with VKS and his wife. With
this the program of the yatra concluded. We further continued our private
visits to divyadesams nearby. We visited Pundarikaksha at Thiruvellarai,
Srinivasa at Gubnasheelam, Purushottamar at Uttamar koil. Evening we had
leisurely visit to all sannidhis like Chakrattalvar sannidhi, Andal Sannidhi,
Nammalvar sannidhi, Adijagannathar with mudhalalvars, Pattabhiramar sannidhi,
Kodandaramar sannidhi, Andal in kalyanakolam in kannadiarai, Ramar sannidhi,
Venugopalar sannidhi and Odeyavar sannidhi around Srirangam koil. Later visited Kattazhagiyasingapperumal, and
Kamalavalli Nachiyar in Nachiyar koil, Oreyur which also had Thiruppanalvar
sannidhi. We returned by the night train to Bangalore.
Over all it
was a soul satisfying and divine experience. In all we had a dozen of holy dips
and numerous temple visits. All these will definitely have a positive change in
all the yatris . Thanks to the Kinchitkaram trust and Velukkudi Krishnan Swamy
who organised such an extensive and exclusive trip. May we get many more such
opportunities and have divine blessings.
I pray to Lord Sriman Narayana to
avail His blessings on us to take up many many 'Theertha Yathras'
like this. For more details about the pilgrim tours like this please
contact:
Kinchitkaram Trust. No: 6 Bheemasena
Garden st., Mylapore, Chennai 6000 04Telephone: 00-91-44-24992728 or
0-98415-62646 kinchitkaram@yahoo.co.in
Jai
sriman Narayana !!
