GOVARDHAN
With the firm belief and an ardent prayer, me started the blog “Ranga Ruminates”. My blog would not be in a sequence. There would be forward and reverse drives, as me ruminates over the various events.
Govardhan comes in the forward drive to the year 2006. Me was worried about my daughter’s marriage and a stable employment for her. Perhaps the strife and struggle that went through my left were following her too.
For a hot cup of filter coffee, Mr Bhan Singh dropped into our home. Occasionally Bhan Singh confers this honour on us. Bhan Singh’s forefathers belong to Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh, India. Bhan Singh was born and brought up in Chennai and he represents the third or fourth generation. Tamil has become his mother tongue.
“What is it worrying you? Why don’t you go to Govardhan for a parikrama? (perambulaton). Your problems would be solved!” Bhan Singh was non-stop as if this is an annunciation of Lord Krishna, the presiding deity of Govardhan. The firm belief is that Lord Krishna was cajoling me through Bhan Singh.
A brief profile of Shri Govardhan. Govardhan is a Hindu religious pilgrim center located near Mathura, Uttar Prades, India. The perambulation (parikrama) of Govardhan and Shri Radha Khund would come around to 25 Kms from the starting point to the end. The perambulation (parikrama) has to be done bare feet according to the custom and the practice. The perambulation (parikrama) has to be done in the night of 14th day of waxing moon (chaturdasi or chaudas) and to be completed on the 15th day of waxing moon (Purnima or Pournami). A dip either in Shri Radha Khund or Manasa Ganga is customary. Offer obeisance in “Charan Mandir” i.e. a temple devoted to the Lotus Feet of Lord Krishna. Seeing is believing. One has to visit and see the lakhs and lakhs of pilgrims performing this perambulation with the devotion and dedication. Aged people and small children perform this perambulation (parikrama). The old adage says unless Lord Krishna blesses one, this parikrama (perambulation) performance may not materialize.
Well, me have decided on a date. Me started seeking the blessings of Lord Krishna and his holy consort Shri Radhan Rani during my daily prayers. Mr Bhushan Chaturvedi celebated his son’s first birthday. That was the day me was to move to Govardhan. Mr. Vijay Misra and Mr. Trilokinath Tewari were there. Govardhan was broached upon. Vijay said that he would be moving to Govardhan on that very day. Me mentioned my intention too. Tewariji said “Ranga take me also along with you”. The firm belief is that Lord Krishna gathering support for me as this would be my first trip to Govardhan. Many would call it a coincidence. For me it was the call from Lord Krishna.
Tewariji has two daughters and me one. We performed the parikrama. Tewariji’s one daughter got married. After performing the second parikrama the next month, Tewariji’s another daughter also got married. During the subsequent two months me performed the third and the fourth parikrama. For the fifth parikrama me took my daughter along. On that day it was raining. Me was wondering to proceed or not. My daughter said that it was Lord Krishna to take care of us and we should perform the parikrama. Believe it or not, there was not a drop rain when we performed the parikrama. My daughter got an offer from a MNC after this parikrama. She is well settled in her career path.
The quest for Lord Krishna’s blessings continue.
