Shani Shingnapur

Shirdi Baba's grace took me to Shirdi and K C Pandeyji became instrumental in making it a memorable visit to Shirdi. Baba's love and compassion reaches us in various ways. He responds to our prayers and thoughts in a mysterious way, known to the devotee and none else.

Shirdi Baba's profound presence is felt at Shirdi and some power pulled me towards Shani Shingnapur for the first time. K C Pandeyji's familiarity with the place and people made it easy to sit for 'Shani Maharaj's Poojan' and offer oil. Oil is continuously offered to Shani Maharaj here. I must accept my ignorance about the form and qualities of Shaniji  but special and intense presence of some power was felt and contrary to the assumptions about nature of Shaniji, vibrations of the place were meditative and yielded a sense of calm.

One may not understand why so many people visit Shani Shingnapur, one may not have any logical explanation to the fact that people don't use locks in this area and yet nothing is stolen. 

On my way back from Shani Shingnapur towards Shirdi, I noticed a peculiar way of making sugarcane juice.

These shops were under trees and in between two trees, they had a circular system with ox

and woods placed for crushing and taking the juice out of Sugarcane.

I also drank this sweet juice.

Aum Gam Ganapatye Namah

India visit is special for me.
 The yearly opportunity of touching mother India started in 2008 after a gap of 11 years..
Visiting India is a way of spiritual nourishment as well as getting a wholesome picture of 'who I am' by getting into the 'loving orbit' of family members and friends.

I remember, in the beginning of any 'granth', one finds a 'stuti' in the name of 'Lord Ganapati', who is remover of all obstacles. It is grace that sows the seed of idea and enables that seed to sprout and germinates in the form of final shape.

I feel, the idea that, 'we all are inter-related' has found its deep roots in my conviction.

Writing is one way of relating to myself as well as to all those, who are relevant.

Interestingly, that which is relevant for us is defined by our interest.

So, I seek Lord Ganapati's special blessings in making my expression emerge in a way that is interesting, informative, emotional yet pragmatic.

As I write, I am thinking, the cities, where I got the opportunity of having Lord Ganapati's darshan in India.
I was there from June 24 and returned to USA on July 16th.
Visited Mumbai, Shirdi, Singnapur, Mumbai, Kolkatta, Jasideh, Kolkatta, Banglore, Puttaparthy, Guntur, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Delhi and then back to New York. I covered many cities, the main purpose was to participate in 'Guru Poornima Mahotsav' at Vaidhyanath Dham in the auspicious presence of my Guru Swami Shri IshwaranandaGiriji Maharaj.

I recollect having Lord Ganapati's darshan at Sanyaas Ashram, Mumbai.
I am trying to think, is there any temple of Lord Ganapati at Shirdi? Maybe, it is not flashing in my mind.
well, so yes, I had Lord Ganapati's darshan in Kolkatta at Laxmi Narayan Mandir and at Birla Mandir, perhaps in Dakshineshwar also.
In Jasideh 'Arogya Dham', we had  Lord Ganapati pujan in our Guru Poornima focused sessions.
Lord Ganesh also greeted me at Vaidhyanath Dham, known as Devghar, there were many shrines surrounding the main Lord Shiva's temple, Lord Ganapti was there, His form was also present in many shops leading to the main temple.
 In puttuparthy, yes, there was a wonderful Lord Ganapati's shrine near Kulwant Hall. In Guntur, where I went for Vishwayogi Vishwamjee Maharaj's blessings, there is Lord Ganapati's temple near Lord Subrahmanyam's temple and I got the opportunity of offering my worship with Vishwayoagiji Maharaj.

In Hyderabad, we had Lord Ganapati's form with us in Shipramam.
 In Jaipur, I couldn't go to the main temple, Ganesh Garh, but Ganeshji called me for a brief meeting at Moti Doongri temple and in His special way, accepted offering of Ladoos from us.
In Jodhpur, Lord Ganapati responded to my heart at SiddhaDham and Samvit Dham in very special way.

We also found His form spreading joy at Ranisar and Padamsar talaab in the interior of Jodhpur city.

On my way back, in Delhi, I was in His auspicious presence at Shri Ganeshwar Dham, Karol Bagh.

I started my journey by seeking special blessings of Shri Mahavallabh Ganapati and found myself at His feet after completion of this journey.

So, Is this blog going to be only about religious references? No, it is about life. India is all about the rich variety of life. As I approach my 50th birthday, I realize, my roots are spread in Bharat in a very special way. Old friends, places that seems to have a profound way to telling me to 'stay with them' and feel the invisible presence of 'something great' that has taken place there.

India is not just a place, where I got to search my 'self', sometimes, I feel, on the level of spirit 'I am nothing but pulsation of that, which is referred to as 'Bharat'.
Jai Bharat!

May Lord Ganapati guide me to tell the story of Bharat Yatra 2012 in way that, it becomes a 'liberating experience' for me as well as the readers.
As Bharat in the form of Guru, have taught me again and again, whatever we do, is to increase our awareness about this 'limitless expansion' which exists in us.

Lord Ganapati is smiling, taking the prasad of Laddoo from Him.
Silently thanking him for initiating me on the path of this expression through a colleague, who asked me to indulge in this exercise of expression.

Shri Mahavallabh Ganapati Kee Jai!