Jai Sriman Narayana !!
Hara Hara Sankara Jaya Jaya Sankara !!
I happened to read a mail regarding the holy trip to the sacrosanct place 'Kashi' . The reproduced below is an article written by Mr. Ram and his travelling experiences to this holy land. I am sure, this would be very useful for all of us who are really intend to take up a journey to 'Varanasi'.
Having immersed safely the Veni Madhavar brought from Rameswaram at Prayagai, the sleep was more peaceful.
In the morning at 6:30 , Mr. Vijay who was our guide deputed by Sekar Sastrigal knocking the doors of our room. Here I should mention about Balananda Teerthashramam. It is an excellent no-frills traditional building, which is really huge with plenty of rooms. Few closed places are dusty, but all places used by people were clean with all the facilities including laundary.
Morning we went to Ganga through the nearby (5 to 10 minutes from Balananda Ashram) Shivala Ghat. I had the Blessings of Lord Kasi Vishwanatha, had a Holy Dip in Ganga holding my mom's hand...! What a Blessing. She peacefully completed her Ganga Snanam and was helped by Vijay, our guide, back to Ashram. Myself and the kids were excited and never felt like coming out. Since we had the sankalpam around 10 am, we were forced to come out of our bath. We later dressed in traditional attire and went to a place near Sankara Madam for sankalpam. Sekar Sastrigal had informed us that there would be around thirty brahmins who will be present to bless us a Happy and Successful Kasi Yatra. I was amazed at the possibility of thirty Kasi Brahmins blessing us for our Kasi Yatra...!
When we entered the hall, there were already quite a few Brahamanas and our sankalpam started. The birth stars and Gothrams were asked and recited accordingly. The brahmanas crowd started increasing and Sekar Sastrigal was on the top of his voice to tell the mantras. The Holy Vedas getting into our ears, it was really a thrilling experience. Then there was the Guru of Sekar Sastrigal, who chanted certain specific mantras for our wellbeing and for good Kasi Yatra.
After providing due respects to all the Brahamanas we set off to Manikarnigha Ghat on boat. We climbed the steps to reach Chakra Theertham, which was across the road and needed to climb down. We did 'Prokshanam' of chakra theertham and brought some theertham back in a vessel to the boat to sprinkle on the kids.
We had a bath again in Manikarnigha ghat. The steps here are very very very slippery and one is advised utmost caution while getting down. Kasi is the place where you never feel like telling 'No' to anyone asking for alms...! You naturally tend to give them, without questioning...! I strictly followed Sekar Sastrigal's advice on this front.
In the evening, I was describing my Mom about the brahmanas at Sankalpam and told around thirty had come. Sekar Sastrigal, who came there told that it was not thirty, but fifty eight to be precise...! I was amazed. Brahmanas representing Rig, Yaju, Sama and Atharvana Vedham were there. Additionally, under Yajur, two sets of people with Krishna-Yajur and Sukla-Yajur were there he informed. He told all the Vedas recited for Happy and Successful Kasi Yatra...! I was moved...!
Then we moved on to have a darshan of Ganga Maha Aarathi.
(To be continued...!)
Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!
Jai Sriman Narayana !!
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