Kanheri math

Sharada wanted to visit Kolhapur Mahalxmi temple. It was after almost 7/8 years together we were to visit the place. Though I was more inclined to go after Dashara, when the crowd is comparitively less, but since she had expressed wish to do so during navaratri I could'nt deny her wish. I enquired my friend Santosh whether we can visit the place. He assured that he will make arrangement to have Godess Mahalaxmi darshan and also perform Abhishek. He made reservation for accomidation in near by Mahalxmi yatri Niwas, bhosale plaza. Hence I made to& fro train reservation. For 6th afternoon from Pune to Kolhapur by Sahyadri express leaving Pune at 12.45pm. The train was to reach Kolhapur at 8.30 pm. After a very long time I was making day time train journey. I thought time will be spent quite well. But it turned out to quite boring and long journey. Our co pasangers two  sindhi ladies old very bulky mother and senior lady her daughter. We had started from home after having early lunch of very tasty huli anna( rice & dal) Sharada had carried plenty of ghargies(sweet dish), chivada. After about two hours journey we started slowly attacking ghargies and in between some chivada as well. Ghargies were quite good and filling. Chivada with groundnuts was not crunchy this time. However I did eat it in good quantity since I've a bit of weakness for chivada. Chaiwala used  frequent the compartment our compartment. After great resistance I decided to have dip tea( I hate to have tea in train or during journey because of bad taste). Of late we normally try with one tea between two of us! Only if turns out to be good then only we decide to have each. This time tea was quite ok. Hence both had one each. These sindhi ladies had carried food. They also tried bhel sold by the vender on the train. A shocking thing for us was that by mistake she happened to buy bhel, which must have be very bad in taste. She had audocity to offer to us which we refused. Can you belive that after she forced herself a small quantity of bhel she threw out the whole packet! What a wretched behavior! I wonder how people get such ideas of giving away when they themselves can't eat! I agree that things I don't like may liked some one else. But there are certain things you know that there are certain things even animals don't eat. That mother and daughter duo got down at Gandhinagar, which confirmed them to be sindhis.
After alighting at Kolhapur station we climbed over narrow stairs to and crossed the railway track and came to platform no. 1. I travelled quite extensively during my working life. But i don't remember to have climbed such a narrow railway stairs. I wonder how no one has complained? Autos are notorious every place. Moment you come out these people rush to you as if your close relative is very eagerly waiting for our arrival! They approach so much of respect and good will! You will wonder whether he has come to give you free ride to your destination. When you mention where you wish to go they simply say ok sir let us go. If you go without enquiring as to how much he is going charge you had it! Any way being indian my self many of us don't fall for such gimmicks. Fortunately we got that ride for Rs. 40. Though Santosh had given me the name of the hotel, address,phone no. We had some problem in locating the place. Later while vacating the hotel I happened to meet the owner. He told me that there are 25 hotels in the visinity of the temple with
Same name! What confusion unless you give the complete address. Every one wants to make money in the name of Godess Mahaxmi!
Both Santosh and his wife visited us at our hotel that night itself. They were coming after attending palki. Santosh told us to be ready by 6.30am the next day for pooja.
Next day by the time we were ready and phoned him at 6.30am , he was already there on the ground floor. We went to the temple bare footed.
for performing abhishekh. Last time I.e 7/8 years back we were allowed inside sanctum.(only gents allowed) of course, then it was not festival season. Now being navaratri there were too many bhakts performing abhishekh. Hence it was done out side the sanctum, but inside the temple.whole programme got over by 8 am. Santosh had asked me contact him after the pooja. He suggested us to visit kanheri math. I remember he had told me about it some time earlier, but much after I had left meridian.
We set to visit the place. Since our return train by Sahyadri was at 10.50 pm, we had plenty of time. Though Santosh had told us to go to Bindu chowk and from there catch a bus to Kanherimath. But when I asked for further guidance to a cop near Bindu chowk, he made us to walk quite a long distance and waited for bus going towards Kagal. We boarded a six seater and got down near MIDC. From there we walked a small distance. From there we got van who took us to Kanherimath at Rs.10 each. which is about 20 min. drive.
First sight of the place looked like setting for film shooting. Slowly we two moved inside. There were plenty of trees. The whole place so cool that we felt as if in air conditioned hall. Though it was monday, working day and quite away from Kolhapur , there were number of people visiting the math. We went to Shiv temple which is said to be 1200 years old! We visited a large meditation hall, which was very quiet and cool. Santosh had told us that food is served free. Hence we enquired and confirmed that the food is served at 11.30am. By that time we took round of the place. The entire area was speck & clean. There was always some one ready to clean the place. While taking the round we met one person who was the part of the math. He said that he is working there for quite some time as voluteer. He was very respectfulm of Swamiji. He said swamiji has provided him all the facilities there! When asked about the pay he gets for his service he said Swamiji gives sambhavana every month. The time was nearing 11.30am. So were ready to have lunch. We were guided to the open area with number of trees with raised permanent  platform (katta)built around each tree to sit and have lunch. Large washed stainless plates were stacked on on trolly. Were were supposed to take one and stand in the que. In a few minutes they started serving food. Good quantity of sweet dish (shira) rice and kadi and and cabbage bhaaji was served. While waiting there we heard sound of making bhakari. But we did'nt get it. While having our food sitting comfortably on katta, others were also joining with there plates. Some were served bhakari as well. Food was good,sumptous and above all free! We could take second helping also. For us one time serve was sufficient. We are supposed to clean plate and keep it in same place from where we had picked it. One person was sitting near the washing area and ensuring that every person has eaten every thing served on the plate! Not only that he was insisting to collect small quantity water in the plate & collect all the left over in the plate and drink it. After that again clean and keep it in that trolly.This is to ensure that not even the bit of food is wasted!
After lunch and some rest we set to have the round of the musium. Rs. 100 person appeared a bit on higher side. Entrance was like a cave in a jungle. We guided along the cave. ( our idea of cave is only what we have seen in films!) On either side statues of saints, rishis were placed with discriptions both in english and devnagri on their contribution to the world! Now I just remember a few of them. There were also many others whom I heard for the first time. There were also statues depicting Ramayana and Mahabharat as well! I was quite a journey inside the cave. But good care was taken to ensure that proper ventilation and light is provided and still give a feel of moving in cave is given. Once out of the cave further treat was awaiting us. Farmers tilling land, sowing the seed, women drawing water from well and carring on their head, buffellows graging on the field, children playing differrent indian games all that we used to see in our very young age in our village!
Further on we lot more things to witness as we went on!
It was like moving into a model village where the village is self sufficient in every respect. We could visit barbar shop, tailor shop, mochi, carpentor, goldsmith, blacksmith, weaver, fabric dying, potter and many , more! Most of the work was going in the front yards of their houses. Interstingly women folk were also actively involved in the work! Actively helping their male members in the work they were also managing the tiny trots! We also witnessed weekly bazar, jatra as well! Mind you they are not the real human beings or animals, but are made of  cement and sand! I must say they werdone with lots of skill,care and imagination! I found that the construction  work was still going on!
After the musium visit while we were waiting for bus, we happened to visit a book stall run by math where religious books are available for sale. I talked one senior gentle man who was in charge of the shop. He also told us that he is giving voluntory service and Swamiji has given him accomodation. He is a  retired person, was working in a good post finds this place more comfortable than going and living with his children, though they are insisting him to come and stay with them. I casually asked whether we also can come and serve here, he said most certainly. Any one who is interseted in giving service is wecome. There is NO caste restriction in this place. We were higly moved by Swamiji's noble thoughts.
I strongly suggest that whoever visits Kolhapur for Mahalxmi darshan shouldn also visit this place. It ver convenient to visit. Local corporation buses are regularly plying to the math area.

Why it is important to vote in elections.

In most of elections in urban India the voting percentage is very low. Many think that what is his one vote going to count? Ultimately it is the muscle & money power which is going to count. So whoever who has both is going to win, Irrespective of very bad track  record. This reminds me of a story.
A king wanted to perform kshirabhishekh in his capital. He wanted to involve all his subjects in that mission. Hence he asks his minister to send the street announcers go and announce nook and corner of the capital  for every one to bring a small vessle of milk and pour in the bigger vessel which can be used to perform
Kshirabhishekh. His contention was that every one very willingly participate in this holy act. But the minister was not convinced that the people willingly bring the milk. He expressed his doubt to his majesty. But the king brushed aside his doubt. After some debate they come to a conclusion that they will go ahaead with this programme as suggested by the king. Only thing is that they will ensure that a large vessel be kept a height so that no should see the milk poured into it. As announced every one in the town came with small small vessel and poured then content into the larger vessel. No one was able to see the ncontent since it was kept a hieght. They had to raise their hand to put the content. By afternoon when all the residents of the town had come and done their part, the king  in presence of minister and dignitories and all the citizens of the town ordered his servents to bring down the vessel and start the process of abhishek. The servents with great care slowly brougt down the vessel and placed it on the ground. Every one was curious to know the quantum of milk colected in the vessel! But what did they see? The entire vessel was full of plain water! No trace of milk in the entirelarge vessel! Not even one person had put milk in it. Since the vessel was kept a height no one notice if one person puts a small quantity of of water. It will get mixed in the milk which all others put. Unfortunately every one thought in the same way! So there was nothing but just water in that large vessel!
The king realised the thought process ofnhis people and the damage it can cause.
I also feel that elections are like giving an examination! A smart boy who has not studied all through the year has good nack of guessing what types of questions may asked based on the earlier years' question papers and prepares very well for those select questions and gets through the exam. He is not bothered about all the topics. imagine the papers set in such manner that one can just pass the exam only if one can prepare for more number of topics. Similarly smart politicians  based on earlier elections voting pattern from different areas, communities, economic and social  standard of his costituency prepares well well only that part which he is sure of getting maximum votes! He is not even bothered to visit all the areas, people of his constituency. Imagine there are 100 voters and voting is only 45%. Even if one gets only 30 votes  or even less he can be easily win! If the voting is of high order then he will be in trouble. He has to work in the entire constituency and show his work win the votes. This applies to all the candidates adpiring for winning the election!