Om Namoh Narayanaya
TEERTHAYAATRA TO PANCHA DWARAKA
(2nd to 12th Aug 2023)
Author: Sindhu Satish (Architect & Professor)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Every inch of my Bhaarat is a Teerthabhumi!
- Swami Vivekananda
READERS NOTE: 15-08-2023
This travelogue intends to not only share an exquisite experience of this memorable teerthayaatra but most importantly to share the benefits of taking up such an endeavour with Guru /Acharya who would, help discern the real purpose of teerthayaatra making it more meaningful and eventually helping us to gather essence of our Sanathana Parampara undoubtedly making us proud to be born in this land of “Lord Krishna” more so as a Sanathani.
Like any other travelogue this too would give a brief idea of itinerary, schedule of time, list of places that have been visited with brief information including Sthala Purana. It would also cover A brief Architecture, reference to Mahabharata, few Sketches made by members of the group at sites to add visual layer, and my own personal experience unleashing my imagination at the time of this endeavour highlighted in bold for, this would be the narrator’s perspective. (This part, however, could have been experienced differently by the others in the team).
It is given in three parts. The first part covers all the Pancha Dwarka including places which are part of Nava Dwarka. It also would cover briefly the other places covered on the way. Second part covers Pushkar. Third part covers Jaipur.
TEERTHAYAAThRA: तरणात तीर्थ इत्याह: Teertha means that which enables us to cross any blocks (worldly attachments) for our own elevation. A Kshetra where we can contemplate, meditate, introspect, and help ourselves to slowly release ourselves from this bhava bandana. Vishnu Dharma Sutra (2.16.17) considers Teerthayatra as one of the Saamanya Dharmas, that every sanathaniya should do in life. Skanda-Purana presents 6 saṁhitās (with several khaṇḍas each) each named after a teerthasthalam. Padmapuraana, Vayupuraana, Matsyapuraana & Skaandapurana all glorify the teerthakshetras.
तीर्थ-माहात्म्यम् : पुण्यदायकम्-fetches merits पापनिवारकम्-removes sins चित्तश द्धिकारकम्- purifies the mind.
It is said in Vamana-Puranam that those who perform teerthasnaanam become pure and their 7 generations of ancestors and descendants obtain punya.
Purpose of Teerthayatra could be broadly put into these four categories.
1. Dharmika - To fulfil deva-rna (obligations of nature, pitr-rna -obligations of our ancestors, and rshi-rnam, obligations of our sages
2. Maanasika - for mental contemplations japa dhyana etc
3. Aadhyaatmika- For spiritual benefits of kshetra-punyam
4. Kaamya - for seeking purushartha (worldly aspirations) benefits. In Devi-Bhagavatam Sage Ajaavana explains to Prahlada -Without bhakti one cannot profit by living in or visiting teerthakshetras. Teerthayaatra must be done with Bhakthi and humility.
(Source: Temple studies- Vibhu Academy, AUTHOR’S Personal notes)
STRUCTURE & PRESENTATION
1. Narrative follows journey in chronological order of the places and temples that we visited.
2. Sthala puranas based on what was gathered at temples from local guides, some from websites and personal notes, extracts from Book “The krishna key” by Ashwin Sanghi.
3. Basic description of architecture, links to know more along with some illustrations done on site by Sri. Ravi Krishnan Narasimhan and I, Smt. Sindhu Satish to enhance the visual material and to support the read.
4. In bold are the situational emotions, my experiences although personal and mostly subjective it is still provided to add tiny wings to the reader’s imagination.
PANCH DWARIKA – These are the Kshetras that are associated with Lord Krishna, either by his presence there or by his devotees honouring his legacy. The other important Kshetras like Brindavan and Mathura are not covered in this Yaatra.
Nava Dwaraka is a collection of 9 temples which are the holy Dhams and is held at extremely high reverence by the Vaishnav followers. These 9 temples are – Gomti Dwarka, Rukmini Dwarka, Beyt Dwaraka, Moola Dwaraka, Sudama Dwarka, Nathdwara, Kankroli Dwaraka, Prabhas Teerth and Dakor Dwaraka. Prabhas Teerth is also referred as Mukthi Dwaraka. Refurbished into a corniche-style area for visitors, the Triveni Sangam marks the confluence of rivers Hiran, Kapila and the Saraswati, where they meet the Arabian Sea on the west coast.
Dakor Dwaraka, Gomati Dwaraka, Beyt Dwaraka, Nathdwara and Kankroli Dwarka are the Pancha Dwaraka Kshethras.
Although Pushkar does not fall under this category it is still a very sacred place, and hence has been covered in this yatra.
15 DAYS BEFORE THE PILGRIMAGE
Gasping from work and multitude of people I was yearning for a long spiritual break. It was one of those long tiring days at college. Just as I sat stretching my legs with my usual cup of black coffee in one hand and mobile in the other, trying to relax in the evening twilight a message appeared in the WhatsApp group “Dwaraka Pilgrimage”. Our Guru – Adiyen Ravi Maama had sent a message –
Hello -With just another 15 days left for our travel, hope you all have packed your baggage kept ready. It’s preferred to carry the following things –
1. Thiruman box
2. Silver /brass / steel sombu of compact size for daily sandhyavandhanam
3. Silver / brass/ steel plate for food and a tumbler set for coffee.
4. Nylon rope for drying cloth then and there
5. A torch light
6. Your regular medicines if on regular medication like BP / Sugar tab.
7. Woolen blanket shawl
8. Extra empty bags for shopping
9. Five set of veshti uthariam / saree / chudi
10. Pants shirts / T shirts
11. Aadhar card original, ATM card, little cash to meet petty exp en route.
12. A towel, toilet set, soap, hair oil, lipstick etc
Chuckling at the last item mentioned in the list, this message instantly pulled up my spirits and as though knocked off from a deep slumber realizing that I have not yet started putting things together to be packed eventually, I sprung up to action.
This group was created on 16-02-23 by Ravi Maama which included members of all the families (from Bengaluru and Chennai) who were to be part of Pancha Dwaraka pilgrimage. Since then, it had been active being booking flight tickets, clarification on hotels, modes of payments, itineraries, Check list for packing etc. This group was currently most active displaying spirited conversations with known and yet be known people.
Teerthayaatra Group: (20 seats) 65 people were part of this Yatra. Two AC buses full of people.
I would like to briefly introduce members in this DPG (Dwaraka Pilgrimage Group) through my connect. Myself, Sindhu Satish (Practicing Architect & Professor), my husband Satish Narasimha(IT), our close friends Ranga ramanujam(IT) and his wife Radhika Ramanujan,(Accomplished Bharathanatyam dancer), our Tiruppavai teacher Rukmini Maami, her husband Surya Swamy(IT), their kids ShriPadmavathi (Shree) and young Balanujan(8th std), our “ Nalayara Divyaprabandham” guru Adiyen, Ravi Maama, his wife Rama Maami, their younger daughter Mahalakshmi(MAHA), Murali Maama RaviMaama’s brother- in-law, Adiyen Ramesh Chatharai (Ravi Maama’s younger brother, US) his son Vishnu, RaviMaama’s friends- Ravi Krishnan (IT), his wife Vatsala Ravikrishnan (Finance, NGO) and their son Dhruv (2nd year Eng. - BITS Pilani), Sri Ramanujam, his wife Chitra and her friend.
PIC -2: Sri Balaji, (4th from left) the yathra organiser from (STARS) Sathyanarayana Tours and Religious Services, Chennai, and his team (cooks & volunteers) were indeed the stars behind the successful “healthy” Yatra. Some of them still working in IT. Hats off for their service.
Day 1 : To be continued ... click here
Day 2 : To be continued ... click here
Day 3 : To be continued ... click here
Day 4 : To be continued ... click here
Day 7 : To be continued ... click here
No comments:
Post a Comment