(links to all other epoisodes are given at the bottom of the page)
Arati at Parmarth Ghat
A
last moment change of decision on booking dates from 14 June to 2 June for the
conducted tour of Kedarnath and Badrinath saved us from being entries in
the list of “Missing …” and our near and dears
to search indefinitely for us
hanging our photographs from their neck.
Rishikesh
was our starting point for the conducted tour arranged by GMVN( Garwal Mondal
Vikash Nigam) and we reached there three days in advance.
I visited
Hardwar
The
rush of yatri tourists have now increased by many folds along with simultaneous
growth of concrete jungles. However, the environment and the rules of
construction on hilly terrains and near the riverbanks of a river originating in the high altitude mountains are overlooked
at many places.
“Ganga
Arati in the evening is offered at many places in India
on the banks of Ganga but the same at Parmarth
ghat in Rishikesh is different from other places. “Go there, see, and feel it
for yourself.”
Few
of my friend told so, few pages of many travelogues wrote so and after moving
aimlessly for more than an hour in the market areas of Luxman jhula we (me, and
my wife) decided so.
( In
my earlier visit, I did not see the Parmarth ghat as the entire team was in a
hurry.)
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We saw the beautiful idols of Arjun and Sri
Krishna riding on a Chariot, at the top of the entrance gate of Parmarth Ghat. Krishna was imparting the lessons of “Parmarth” i.e.
absolute meaning of life to Arjun and inspiring him not to withdraw from the inevitable
war against his own elders, relatives, and friends.
We
appreciated the attempt of the Architect who tried to convey a great message to
all the visitors crossing this entry gate to the Parmarth Ghat of Ganga . However,
this was just the beginning.
Beautifully
maintained and clean wide stairs lead to the flowing cool waters of the river. The
landings on both sides of the stairs lead to approach to another semicircular,
10-12 feet wide platform, standing on pillars plunged under the waters of
flowing Ganga .
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This
platform is just facing opposite to the Parmarth ghat and on the center of this;
the tall idol of meditating Mahadeva is one of the marvels of sculpture.
The
semicircular pattern of ghat facing opposite of the Parmarth ghat provides a
better view of the Arati through all possible angles in the background of the
sound of the ripples of the flowing waters of Ganga .
Already
thousands of Pilgrims stood on this ghat and on the platform at that time but
the entire environment made the crowd to maintain silence or talk in low or
hushed voice.
Only
an hour was left for the Arati and the Sun to disappear from the sky. On the
wide platform, just at the end of the bottom part of the stairs of Parmarth
Ghat a “Haman” was going on.
The
offerings of Camphor and Ghee on the Fire were going on along with chanting of
“Slokas” from SOMVEDA in the precise tune.
The
disciples of Parmarth Niketan Ashram were arranging the tall brass “Deepaks” in
a row on the steps for the forthcoming
Arati. They started the Bhajans in perfect tune and soon the entire gathering
joined them by swaying their heads, clasping their hands and humming the tune
and the words of the Bhajan.
Some
people like us sat at the back row near the idol of meditating Mahadeva and
possibly all were trying to feel the divine vibration as a combined effect of
Vedic Mantras of the “Haman”, Bhajans and the sound of the ripples of Ganga .
The rays of sun, which were till then appearing as
halos around the facial region of Mahadeva, were slowly disappearing even from
the top of his tangled hair. The Idol of Ganga Ji placed at the crest of
his tangled hair could be seen faintly.
Sri Chidananda Saraswati (called Pujya Swamiji
or Pujya Muniji by disciples), President and spiritual head of the Parmarth
Niketan arrived and the entire gathering spontaneously stood up as a mark of
deserving respect.
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He
joined the Bhajan group and soon his mesmerizing tune made the entire audience
to listen and join with him
At
the end of the Bhajan, he spoke for few minutes but it certainly could make a
mark on the minds of spell bound listeners.
“Holy
Water flowing on Ganga ji originates from the
Gangotri glacier in high altitudes. Water is one of the vital form of the
nature and the birthplace of life.
So,
Ganga Mai is not a goddess alone, she is our mother. So how can we pollute our
respected mother by throwing garbage, dead animals, thin plastic bags and sewerage waters of
cities?
The
objective of this Arati is not only a mere worship. This is also to make our
sole to wake up to this fact.
There
may be big gathering in your house during any Puja
. In the “Prasadam”, distribute a sapling along
with Laddu or Pera or for a change distribute only the saplings.
Nobody
would dare to throw the Prasadam but shall put the sapling in a proper place
and water it to grow. This is how you
will initiate a nature loving and anti-tree felling soul and a green movement
to fight against pollution.”
.jpg)
Pujya Swamiji finished his speech and initiated
the Ganga Arati with a well lit tall Brass Deepak. His disciples, special
guests across India
Simultaneously volunteers and distributed many other Deepaks among the
spectators on both side and soon along with tune of Bhajans,
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After
an hour or so the Arati was completed crowd became thin. Few people like us
were still sitting there below the feet of Mahadeva looking at the dark sky and the illuminations near the
Ramjhola.
We two were asking Ganga Mai flowing with continuous tune of the
ripples “Hey Mai are you coming only from the Jata(tangled hair) of Mahadeva”.
Did both of us heard correctly ? We heard from the tunes of ripples
“Not
only from the Jata of Shivji but also from the open hearts of many like you who
now believe that I am not a river but your Mai.”
At
this session of Ganga Arati we learnt and felt a lot of new things. On the top
of everything, both of us could feel the divine vibration and our heart was
filled with joy and pleasure.
Really Ganga Arati at Parmarth ghat of Rishikesh
is different from other places.
Next
morning on the way to Kedar, we were able to feel and hear many things from the hills, Fountains, clouds
and snow peaked Himalayas and the Nature of
Dev Bhoomi as a whole.
(Next part On the way to Kedar by tomorrow 29.08.13)
links to all other episodes from 1 to 8 are given below
links to all other episodes from 1 to 8 are given below
For Part 1
For Part 2
For Part 3
For Part 4
For Part 5
For Part 6
For Part 7
For Part 8
http://pradipwritenow.blogspot.in/2013/09/a-trek-to-dev-bhoomi-for-devas-part-8.html
2 comments:
I have no courage left to visit the place after the tragedy that took place there. Immensely satisfied seeing the pics.
Very well captured & described!:)
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