Ashta Vinayak Yatra - A Pilgrimage Beyond Compare!

Ganapati Bappa Moraya!

Ashta Vinayak Glory

 
We undertook a pilgrimage to the highly revered Ashta Vinayak temples in 2015. It was a 2-day, one night journey. Braving the wintry chill, we set off at 7 a.m. by bus. The first stop was at Morgaon, for darshan of the Lord Mayureshwar, as Lord Ganpati is known here. The idol has the Naga Raja’s hood on its head. It is believed that Lord Brahma had constructed this temple. Legend says that Lord Ganesh, as Mayureshwar (Moresh) or the peacock-rider, vanquished the asura Sindhu, after entreaties by all the Gods. The temple’s Mughal architecture is distinct. A Nandi sitting in front of the temple’s entrance is unique, as this is found only in front of Lord Shiva’s temples.
We had a plate of hot vegetable pohe and tea for breakfast and then set off for Siddhivinayak darshan at Siddhatek, near Daund. God Vishnu supposedly vanquished the asuras Madhu and Kaitabh after propitiating Ganesha here. This Ganapati has his trunk pointing towards the right, hence is known as Siddhivinayak. Devotees can complete the 5 kms. pradakshina, only by circumambulating the hill.

When we had earlier visited this temple, we had crossed the swollen Bhima river in a row-boat. But now a bridge over the river has made it possible for the bus to directly reach near the temple and cut down the journey's time.

Our co-passengers broke juicy, sour tamarinds from the trees and distributed them. After a delicious buffet lunch at a restaurant there, we proceeded further to Theur.
The Chintamani Ganapati of Theur is believed to relieve all the devotees from their worries. The wooden temple has a small stone fountain inside it. A huge paved courtyard, an enormous bell and a Shiva temple, are the other attractions here. It is believed that the Lord retrieved the precious Chintamani jewel from Guna, for Sage Kapila, here. In return, the Sage garlanded him with the jewel and named him as Chintamani Vinayak.

The last Ganapati darshan for that day was of the huge Ranjangaon Ganapati known as Maha Ganapati. This Ganapati had aided Lord Shiva in fighting the demon Tripurasura. This idol is believed to have 10 hands and 20 trunks. The sun’s rays fall directly on the idol, at a particular time of the day.

The awesome entrance arch of the Ranjangaon Temple

Security being strict, none of the pilgrims was allowed to carry anything inside the temple. Hence we visited the temple by turns.

Then we went to Lenyadri, watching the movie “Oh My God” enroute; again had a sumptuous buffet dinner and spent the night at the Lenyadri Ganapati Devasthan Trust’s lodgings. The room was very neat; with clean bed-sheets, pillows and blankets. The attached toilet-cum-bathroom was also spic and span.

Next morning at 5.30 a.m., we had tea and started climbing the steep 283 steps to the Lenyadri, the 3rd century, Buddhist-cave shrine of Girijatmaja Ganapati. The idol is carved on the stone wall of the cave and faces eastward, with its trunk turned to the left, with Lord Shiva and Hanuman on either side. Legend has it that Goddess Parvati created her son Ganapati by bringing a mud idol to life there. Lord Ganapati had supposedly spent his childhood days there.
                                                                                             

The steep climb to the cave-shrine at Lenyadri

We saw the glorious sunrise with a panoramic view of the surroundings from the temple’s precincts. We participated in the 7 a.m. aarti, clicked photos of the 6 stone pillars, with carvings of cows, elephants, etc. and started descending.

A huge horde of monkeys was making its presence felt there. One huge monkey leapt at me and vigorously tugged my carry-bag, denting it. As my husband shooed it off, it retreated reluctantly. A baby monkey clambered on to a man’s back and sat cutely on his head. That man didn’t seem to mind it! We warily descended the hill.
We had a breakfast of piping hot upma and tea at the same restaurant where we had had dinner, shopped for collectibles and resumed our pilgrimage to Ozhar.

The Vighnaharta/Vigneshwara Ganapati of Ozhar relieves one of all the obstacles in one’s life. Lord Ganesha killed a demon named Vighnasur, hence the name. The idol has gems for its eyes, on its forehead and in its navel. Brass statues of His divine consorts Riddhi and Siddhi flank the idol. The temple, with its gold dome, twin deepastambhs (stone pillars for holding oil lamps) and two life-sized, stone-carved, dwarapalas (guards); is awesome.

Behind the temple, is a huge lake. It appeared misty and tranquil. As there wasn’t any time for boating, we started for Mahad.

Mahad, is very far, about 200 kms. from Ozhar. It was a 4-hour journey to this place in Raigad district. En route, we saw fresh sugarcane crop being harvested and ferried for crushing by trucks, tractors and bullock-carts. The cleaner of our bus adeptly pulled some sugar-cane from the passing vehicles and gave them to some passengers (who had strong teeth!).

The magnificent entrance to the Ozar temple

We passed by horticulture farms. The farmers were busy in their fields as we feasted our eyes on the lush greenery all around. Nature was kind to this part of the state, it seemed, as abundant water was visible in the water-bodies there.

The serene lake behind the Ozar temple

The elongated idol of Varada Vinayak at Mahad is benign and this is the only Ganapati in this yatra that can be touched by the pilgrims. We can personally offer garlands and flowers here. This idol is swayambhu and had emerged from a pond behind the temple.

Then it was time for the last of the Ashta Vinayaks, the Ballaleshwar temple at Pali. This is the only Ashta Vinayak Ganapati named after an ardent devotee of the Lord. The idol in this temple is attired in traditional clothes, as he appeared to Ballal, in the form of a Brahmin. The prasad offered here is besan laddu, instead of the customary modak. The Dhundivinayak Ganapati must be visited before the Ballaleshwar Ganapati, as per tradition.

A refreshing glass of kokam sarbat was served to us instead of tea.Then we returned to Pune at 7.30 p.m.

We had already vowed to return for the pilgrimage at the earliest; as the pilgrimage had satiated our souls.

The copyright of this travelogue and photographs is with Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan. 

This travelogue had been published in the Sakal Times' Spice edition dated 28th June, 2015.

Ganapati Bappa Moraya!

Kindle Countdown Deal - God's Will

Dear friends,

          For the God-fearing people in this world, nothing in life occurs without His Will!

         

          They lead their lives with a song on their lips and a prayer in their hearts. They are hard-working folks of the soil who swear by their sweat and toil.

           Babu and Rojakutty are two such simpletons who lead a solitary existence in their village, till their paths cross.

          

           Will their destinies entwine or unravel?

          

          Read on to find out, in my engrossing novel titled God's Will - (All the way...)

          This novel is available at www.amazon.com under a Kindle Countdown Deal from 22nd to 29th August, 2020, at a whopping discount; for just $0.99.

         Kindly peruse it and let me have your invaluable feedback. You could even have a free preview at the site.

 

         While you are it, you could even peruse my other 13 books at www.amazon.com.

 Thanks, 

Priya 

          Excerpt from this book

          “Roja, Roja palli” she heard a familiar voice behind her.

          

          She whirled around and King Dushyant was standing face to face with her. He winked at her. She laughed at the weird sight. His face painted in bright green with the white and red winged eyebrows and red nose, stiff white ceramic covering the lower chin with a heavy, studded crown on his head, stared back at her; with his dark eyes merrily smiling down at her.

          

          His billowing, tent-like, regal costume swathed his body in layers of clothing. A heavy perfume of kewda assailed her nostrils as he came closer. She involuntarily stepped back,

 befuddled. How did he know the nickname that Babu had given her? Was he his friend? How dare that scoundrel address her like that in public? Even wink at her?

          

          Just as she got ready for a slanging match, it struck her. She slapped her forehead and exclaimed “Babu?”

          

          He bowed down deeply and said in an exaggerated tone, “Naane daan. It’s me!”

          

          Now she spoke with awe and reverence. “Wow, Babu! You really got me there. I never knew that you are a part-time Kathakali performer. You never revealed it to me. I must say, that you are an excellent performer. Your thick, handlebar moustache really becomes you. King Dushyant indeed!”

          

          Babu was elated and his face creased into his familiar grin, showing sparkling white teeth through his bright red painted lips.

          

          His grin expanded further and nearly reached his ears as she added further, “And your reference to the fish in the story was also not lost on me! You deliberately chose this play as I like fish, don’t you?” She sounded pleased as punch. Now her fangs were bared in undisguised glee, reveling in the fact that Babu

truly cared for her and wanted to please her, going the extra mile for her!

          

          He also inhaled the heady fragrance of Emami as he walked with her, all the way back home, walking with his right hand dragging his cycle by its handle, and the left one, possessively around her broad shoulders. Everyone on the same path curiously stared at the couple as Babu was still in his full costume and make-up.

          

          “Raja Dushyant and Rani Shakuntala!” exclaimed some enthusiastic passers-by. The couple giggled. They really felt like the royal couple and basked in the reflected glory.

          

          The next day they would go back to catching fish and bringing down coconuts for a living…. Mundane reality.

                    End of the excerpt

World Organ Donation Day - Why not donate your body?

         
          Even as I write this post, several patients all over the world, suffering from ailments that need
immediate organ transplants; desperately await suitable and willing donors! Often their immediate
relatives or close friends step in to do the needful and save their precious lives. If their blood groups don't match, they swap organs with other families that have persons needing transplants. Yet, there are innumerable others who languish in hospitals or at home, waiting for the good news that someone has finally taken a call to donate his/her/their organs for the greater good. Listened to reason and their conscience!

          We have all read heartwarming reports of strangers donating their organs or families of accident victims/surgeries who have not survived; agreeing to donate the organs of their beloved, deceased relatives to others in need. Those who receive this timely and invaluable aid are forever indebted to the largesse of the donors! Counselors in hospitals, along with doctors and other paramedical staff counsel such families to donate the organs of their deceased relatives.

          There are several NGOs that aid this process too. Yet the numbers of persons opting for organ donation are too small and woefully insufficient. The reason could be that people are unwilling to pledge their organs for donation due to fear of disfigurement, religious beliefs, ignorance or sheer apathy!

          Therefore, days such as the World Organ Donation Day observed on the 13th of August; serve as an important and essential reminder to the global population that organs are gifts of life that we could pledge for ensuring that others live a long and healthy life!

          Some organs like kidneys or portions of liver or even stem cells could be donated even while we are alive, whereas the other organs like eyes, brain, heart, lungs, pancreas, spleen, portions of the intestines, skin, etc. could be pledged towards this noble cause so that even after we are no more, we could live in this world through the others who have benefited by our initiative.

          Our family of three, my mother-in-law, husband and I have decided to go a step further and donate our bodies after death. Dehadaan - the ultimate gift to humanity, is our ultimate goal!

          Since I am crusading against my ex-employer, the Life Insurance Corporation of India; for repudiation of my wage revision arrears and for non-receipt of revised Statutory retirement benefits like pension and provident fund; as well as for justice to all such similarly placed, resigning ex-employees; I have linked my cause with my pledge for Dehadaan.

          I will fill the form for Dehadaan, after all of us get our legally rightful dues from the Corporation. In case of my earlier demise, my family with donate my body to either my chosen hospital or the nearest hospital and fulfill my wish. I have ensured that all my near and dear ones are aware of my wish so that my pledge doesn't go in vain.

          I appeal to all those who read this blog to consider Dehadaan or at least organ donation so that their precious life-saving organs are used after death. Why waste them in a burial ground or cemetery when someone could live longer, after receiving them?

          Let's receive good wishes, blessings and gratitude. Sign up for this noble cause and motivate others too! It's never too late!

National Handloom Day - Let's Revive Eco-friendly Handloom!

     Recently, we visited a handloom exhibition. The exhibition had stalls from nearly all the states of India. They showcased the traditional saris, dress materials, furnishing materials and accessories made from handloom.

A resplendent Kanjivaram sari

   
     The exhibition was held in a vast marriage hall. I had expected it to be filled with enthusiastic patrons, especially ladies! Alas, there were hardly five to six ladies including me, there. My husband was the odd man out.
   

     Stacks of materials beckoned me in the hall that seemed to be bereft of any customers. The stall-owners expectedly, latched on to the stray customer who strolled over.
     

    "Here, Madam, look here! Hand embroidered silk saris from West Bengal. 10 colors. Take your pick!"
    

      From across, another stall-owner beckoned, rather desperately, "Bed-sheets, gowns, dupattas from Rajasthan! Please have a look Madam."

An elegant Banarasi sari 

An intricately woven Paithani sari

       What was amazing was the sheer variety and volume of the handloom material exhibited there!    There was a lone stall with exquisitely crafted wooden toys. Again, no customers! It struck me that India had such a vast repertoire of art and craft, but hardly any takers!

        

     To encourage artisans and handloom weavers, we could take to decorating our homes and offices with their products. We could gift these items to each other.
          

     Students could wear handloom attire in their colleges. Competitions could be held to decide the most elegantly dressed person in college! I'm sure the judges would have a tough time as each handloom variety has a unique charm! Thus separate segments could be formed to decide the winners.

A dazzling Kanjivaram sari

         

      Each month, the handloom of a particular State could be chosen for a contest; thereby ensuring that all varieties get equal and assured prominence.  All would get their place under the sun! Since we have 28 states and 8 Union territories, this contest would run for three whole years! Enough of excitement for the collegians!
        

      Likewise offices and institutions could hold contests for their employees. Housing societies, supermarkets, banks, the list is endless...
         

     Contests could be held by the National Handloom Development Council to get ideas regarding newer varieties, newer ways of presenting the materials, marketing and product development. Awards could be given to those designers who use indigenous material.
         

     All ladies could wear handloom saris as often as they could, not restricting the ritual to functions and special occasions; if only to ensure that the glorious weaving tradition gets a much-needed fillip.  

        The weavers will then be able to sustain themselves and maintain their legacy!
        

        Those ladies lucky enough to grace award ceremonies and red-carpet events could espouse the cause and be brand ambassadors too!
        

        Let's revive the gorgeous, traditionally woven fabric materials and the ever- elegant handloom sari; and prompt the whole world to say "Wow!"

A magnificent Patola sari

A gorgeous Banarasi sari

 The copyright of this article is with   Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan.

 P.S. The snaps are of saris from my   collection.
      

How my tryst with writing started!

     Books have been my companions since childhood. My parents and teachers encouraged me to read as much as I could. Amar Chitra Katha comics, Chandamama and Champak; soon gave way to Readers’ Digest, mystery novels by Enid Blyton; Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew mystery novels; followed closely by the mushy and romantic, Mills & Boon novels. Later, classics by great littérateurs like Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, Munshi Premchand; the great Bard of Avon, William Shakespeare, and the philosophical novelist, Paulo Coelho; were devoured by me. Thrillers by Sidney Sheldon, Agatha Christie, Dan Brown, John Grisham, Robin Cook, Roald Dahl; and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle‘s Sherlock Holmes series are my all-time favorites. Jeffrey Archer and his works have also played a key role in helping me develop a penchant for reading.  I am a proud bookworm!

     What sparked off my passion for reading was, undoubtedly, a chance criticism by my eighth standard teacher who taught us English at school! She challenged me to write the answers in my own words, instead of relying on the usual rote learning method that was (and still is) so commonplace in the great Indian education system. Stung to the core, I started brushing up on my vocabulary and language skills by reading everything that I could lay my hands on! I filled up notebooks with as many words as I could. The dictionary became my constant companion. Thanks to my continuous learning, I gained confidence in writing essays, articles, poems and stories.

     After my Bachelor in Science degree, I obtained a degree in Communication and Journalism (B.C.J) from the Pune University. It was the best decision of my life. I have been freelancing from then till date. I have several published writings to my credit in reputed publications like Woman’s Era, Alive, Sakaal Times, and some websites. 

          

     I contribute to prestigious travel-websites like Holidayiq.com and TripAdvisor.in. I am in the top 10% of contributors from Pune, to TripAdvisor.in. 

     I maintain four blogs. They are as follows:

1. uniquepriyasvision.blogspot.com

2. creativepriyasvision.blogspot.com

3. radiantpriyasvision.blogspot.com

4. uberrimafideslicindia.blogspot.com

     I have published fourteen ebooks and thirteen paperback novels on Amazon. They are as follows:

1            1. The Enigma and other stories

2       2.  The Obsession

3       3.  The Mysterious Basement of Summer City (Prize-winning, debut novel)

         4.  Wow! Wrong Number

         5.  You Compromise, I Won’t!

         6.  Unconditional Love in Exchange

         7.  Just Not Meant For Marriage!

         8.  The Byline and other stories

         9.   A Good Old Rumor! and other stories

   10. The Celestial Souls of Khambetka

   11. Of Siblings and E-Friends

   12. Dad's Great, Boys! (ebook also published at www.draft2digital.com)

   13. God's Will

   14. The Trophy Wife

     Some other books of mine have been published at other websites/blogs:

1. A Suitor for the Princess - radiantpriyasvision.blogspot.com (my blog)

2. The Love-addict - www.freeditorial.com

3. No Mother-in-law, Please! - Currently being serialized at www.wattpad.com

  I have won several writing competitions, including a novel-writing contest, organized by Vishwakarma Publications, Pune. I won the second prize for my debut novel titled The Mysterious Basement of Summer City. My reading habit had thus spurred me to become an author!
     

     I have also won the third prize in an essay-writing contest organized by Garima Manch of the Indian Medical Association, Pune. (I.M.A.) for my essay on ‘Should self-defense be a part of curriculum for girls?’ 
       
      I have won several writing contests apart from the above-mentioned ones too!
       
      Recently, I was awarded the ‘Writers’ Award Certificate’ by www.penfactor.com.

   I love reading books for information, inspiration, insight, motivation and entertainment. Conversing about bestsellers is a great ice-breaker at social events. Bonding over books, with friends and family, at leisure, is a pleasurable experience. To encourage budding talent, I conduct creative-writing classes too. 
       Kindly refer to my blog-post dated 13th June, 2020 for details about the 
Online Creative Writing Classes-cum-workshops conducted by Priya's Vision Academy.

     To sum up, I can’t imagine a life without books. My tryst with reading and writing is sure to be a life-long affair!
                                                           Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan
                                                           Proprietor,
                                                           Priya's Vision Academy