The One in All. Quick Darshan - Athi Vardhar

Omnipresent – The ONE in ALL, who else it could be

People who are close to me know that I visit kanchi one Pradhosam in a month to Srimatam and Orikai, this has been my routine for the past 2 years. Prathiba’s Chitappa’s sister who lives in Coimbatore came to know about my routine and sought my guidance in planning a visit to the temple city.  Last week she called and checked if I am planning for July 14^th and she wants to join for Pradhosam and Athi vardhar. When the response was positive she shared the train ticket details and I was shocked to see the entire group consist of senior citizens and super senior citizens.

With the rapport I have with some local people, able to get 2 AC rooms and a pick up cabs from Arakonam station that was reciprocated by local people, though the request was made during 11^th hour. Considering the age of the people I took extra care so that they are put to little hardship as there are lot of chaos already prevailing in the city due to the ongoing vardhar festivity.

The scheduled plan was they will arrive on July 14^th in Kanchi around late noon and have darshan of Maha Periva Brindhavan pradhosa abishegam. Next day early morning Kamatchi Amman abishegam and around 7.00 am stand in the Q for vardhar and late in the evening catch return train to Coimbatore.

Everything fell in place as per the plan, sumptuous lunch added more flavor to the things. After the pradhosam abishegam at Brindavan, I checked with the group if they might be interested to visit Orikai and Thenambakkam to which they all agreed. As we all came out of Srimatam, there was only one auto available outside and it seems he was waiting only for us. After little bargaining he accepted for both places and dropping them back at their hotel and me in the bus-stand so that I can catch my train to Bangalore.

Couple of points which went into head while I am on my way back to Bangalore in train are below

• The entire Sr Citizen group was with immense faith and devotion during Pradhosam abishegam that was evident in their activities.
• Auto guy during the travel, without me asking any details shared the story behind the Periva Sticker in the windshield of the vehicle. The vehicle belongs to a guy who himself is devotee of Periva and associated with trade Union that was created during the 50^th birthday celebration of periva early this year.
• July13th there were close to 2.0 lakh people visited the town for Vardhar darshan and it took close to 10 hours standing in the Q.

 On our way back to hotel/bus station from Orikai, the driver offered a help in taking them for shopping and also try our luck for vardhar darshan. The rationale he put forth are

• Hindus who consume non veg foods have restrictions during Ashada (aadi) month which is couple of days away and they try to utilize the last Sunday to have nonveg
• After consumption of non-veg during lunch many of them will not visit temples in the evenings. He was mirroring in general the views of local people
• Cricket World cup final match

Since it was already 20.00 hrs in the night and in hurry mode to catch the train, I got down in the midway and they all proceeded.The driver was 100% perfect in judgement and the vardhar darsharn was over within 40 mins.

I strongly believe in “ What you sow is what you reap”, when faith and devotion is being sowed what else you get in return. We all later felt that Auto carrying HIS image in the front is a return gift from “THE ONE who is in ALL” for the faith and devotion of the group that consist of senior citizens. Periva Charanam.

On my way to bus station looking out for auto, with Panchaghacham as my attire the rates demanded were huge. Hence thought of changing to normal attire and able to find a small house where 3 hindi speaking sadhus doing chit chat in the Thin-nai(portico) of the house. Their costume and the look will give anyone a second thought to approach, with butterflies in the stomach and Periva in the heart approached them so that some money could be saved from the autowalas.

They obliged the request and after changing the dress, for a moment I thought will leave without informing them. Later ashamed of that thought, thanked them at a distance and when I was about to turn back one of the sadhu called me near. With high heart beat went near him and he asked in Hindi and my response was also in my own Hindi

• Whether I visited Srimatam of shankarachya for which I said Yes and surprised how does he know
• Whether I had Athi vardhar darshan, for which I said no due to long Q, not able to get the hindi word for Q. He himself prompted “ baught beed ha kya” I said yes
• He took one big Guava and a mango fruit and gave it to me before showering his blessing with both hands. I had both the fruits on my way which were tasty.

 I am trying to get answers on why the auto having periva image offered a ride, suggested about varadhar darshan and also made it possible in 40 mins. Finally the sadhus blessing which I consider to be a gift for the service I did to this group of aged people from morning who are the followers of Periva.

I can understand the readers question that If I had stayed back in the auto then I might have got Vardhar Darshan but on the day when Federer and Williamson’s had several If and Buts to ponder mine is immaterial and will get dissolved in the memorable memories whenever I recollect this day in future.

During my return to bus stand had an experience which could be termed as “ The All in One”. If time permits will continue in the next episode which is equally interesting and made me to realize other side of coin.