Traveling to the Dhama - Page 2

dasanudas · 05-30-2001, 03:08 PM

Yes we can all relate to the ole Indian Rattle snakes, makes me wonder how they keep on with the sheer volume of people they transport.

How's this it's a little off the beaten subject and somewhat mundane but a very human tale Krsna is somewhere behind it all no doubt.
On my first trip I was intrigued with the indian coastline, as I grew up a surfer, so here I was luggin' a surfboard all around India, talk about travelling light. Anyway after a few months I decided to make a beeline for Jugganath Puri as it seemed it had great potential and I'd also heard Lord Caitanya swam there every day so altho I was already rather depleted from some intensive travel I decided to check the waves. Unfortunately i went to another spot on the coast first where our bus got pulled up in the middle of the night by a linch mob of vigilantes hunting down a murderer and they were mad as hornets. a long night in a very remote place south of Calcutta. Any way that episode is a book in itself. t'cut t the mainline I ran out of money and could'nt change travellers checks, at the same time I dehydrated in the hot season, somehow I managed to squeeze onto a train with no ticket and there was no where to even stand on this animal and produce train, so as I slid between the sweaty bodies none of whom could speak any English, I had to brace myself between two walls above the crowd of people suspended with a surfboard, and everyone was complaining. I was almost non-compos from the dehydration and truly wondering if I would arrive at my destination which was Bhubaneshwar. Eventually when some of the passengers alighted, I managed to slide down the wall, to get to stand on one leg and had to fight for that with an irate 80 year old man who was screaming obscenities at me. I was trying to explain I was sick but nobody took any notice, I was slowly losing consciousness in the heat and don't remember most of the journey. But we did make it to Bhubaneshbwar only to find out it was a Saturday and no banks were open, so there was nowhere to change travellers cheques. So I conveniently collapsed at the station totally exhausted. Next thing I knew as I awoke I was looking into the face of an angelic fellow countrywoman, who was enquiring after my welfare. After telling a delirious tale she hired a rickshaw and hauled me off to the local hospital where I passed out again and didn't wake for about 36 hours, when I did come too, she helped get some sustenance for me and cashed a travellers cheque and got me on the road to recovery which was a bus to Jagganath Puri ki jaya!! When I arrived in the holy dham refreshed from my convalescence, in the process of searching around for accommodation an American devotee offered for me to stay on the roof of a guest house on the beach. It just so turned out to be looking into the courtyard of Haridas Thakur's samadhi mandir where we could hear 24 hour kirtan all through the day and night. This kind of accommodation couldn't be equalled anywhere in India as it had airconditioning straight from the ocean so we could sleep in the open under the stars to the sound of the waves and kirtan, no mosquitos that constantly played on my mind with the various beggars of Jagganath Puri stricken with elephantitis.

Anyway, for six weeks I convalesced and relished the holy environment of Purushottamaksetra. Some days the only one surfing uncrowded waves alongside the fishermen in their dugouts, to standing ovations from the amazed spectators on the beach who had never seen such water sports. These days that building has been demolished to make way for a luxury resort hotel. But just a little further south Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math has been established with wonderful accommodation for all pilgrims
with a very friendly company of devotees there to help with pilgrim's needs. A great place to stay while in Puri.

I'll continue with some Brajadham information a little further down the track when I find some time.

affectionately in the service,

dasanudas

Maitreya · 06-02-2001, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rand0M aXiS:
MC:

I took the chloaquine(sp?) prophylaxis in the early 70's on my first trip to India and still caught Malaria. I only have a relapse if I fast for more than one or two days. It is all karma dude -- don't overendeavor to avoid something if it is your fate it is unavoidable, just as death.

At 48 years dead I am still healthier than most twenty years younger, but I attribute that to a diet of Krsna prasadam for three decades and lots of strenuous excercise in kirtans. (Well, lots of skiing on the side also....)

Is that the shot you took?Still got it anyway.I'll probably get it from the shot somehow.You are right about the over endeavoring.I'll do what i can and forget the rest.Hell, it's probably more dangerous in my own neighborhood here.

Yeah that skiing in the mountains must keep you really fit.My energy has been at low tide.I best do some training for the trip.

What are you up to?Why no posts?Is WW3 about to break out in the Mideast or what?

MC

Maitreya · 06-02-2001, 08:45 PM

dasanudas,

WOW 15 trips.I have been such a coward.Krishna says he is adventure, so let me see Him in this trip.I'm thinking of using superglue to bond my moneybelt onto my flesh.And then wrap that in something knife proof.

Fortunately I will be going with a well seasoned traveler to the Dhama.The plan is straight to Dehli and then taxi to Vrndaban.For my first trip I plan on staying there the whole time until I am driven out by the heat.We shall see if Gopisvara even let's me in at all.

I was going last year but plans became muddled and I had recently developed Diabetes type two and the fatigue was crushing.

jndas, I hear you on traveling light.I figure a change of clothes and health supplies.If it doesn't fit in the overhead compartment it doesn't go.

I can get neem here,so maybe I'll try it as a defense against those blessed[residents of the Dhama]little bloodsucker mosquitos.

Great stories on this forum.I'm sure I'm not the only one enjoying them.

MC

[This message has been edited by Maitreya (edited 06-03-2001).]

Maitreya · 06-02-2001, 08:56 PM

atma, between just you and dasanudas I bet you have a book just on train rides alone.What to speak of all the others who haven't posted their's yet, but are just about to.

YS MC

Jahnava Nitai Das · 06-03-2001, 03:09 AM

Quote:

jndas, I hear you on traveling light.I figure a change of clothes and health supplies.If it doesn't fit in the overhead compartment it doesn't go.

Thats the best way to travel. You cant imagine how much more pleasent your trip will be if you just have a single bag to carry.

atma · 06-03-2001, 06:11 AM

Maitreya, remember that you're reaching Vrindavan during rainy season. The last few years had been quite heavy for that area. A couple of years ago Radha Kunda was so flooded that they took the water out in buckets to make it ready for Bahulastami, where everybody goes at midnight for bathing.
The weather will be hot and unpleasant in September. During Kartika will be quite nice and by middle November the cold will start. It becomes really freezing and gloomy. Even with 3 pairs of socks your feet feel sooooooo cold. A nice winter coat from the West is the best, otherwise you'll have to wear 10 chadars to keep warm. The weather is so extreme over there, so cold in winter and very hot in summer.
Later I'll tell you about robberies and goondas.

Jahnava Nitai Das · 06-03-2001, 06:53 AM

The weather in Vrindavana can be extremely cold in winter. You will need to buy an immersion water heater if you are there in the winter. You can get them across from Krishna Balarama mandir for the equivalent of $5 or $6. Just make sure you don't accidentally melt a hole in your plastic bucket.

dasanudas · 06-03-2001, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jndas:
The weather in Vrindavana can be extremely cold in winter. You will need to buy an immersion water heater if you are there in the winter. You can get them across from Krishna Balarama mandir for the equivalent of $5 or $6. Just make sure you don't accidentally melt a hole in your plastic bucket.

Or electricute your body with a cheap version
if you use a metal bucket. Chances are the electricity will be load shedding at the time so it'll only serve as a little reminder That "In My world there is no need of electricity" Just kidding prabhu it's all part of the fun. It's a divine experience. If you take a walk up to Gangotri in the Himalayas, when you return to Vrndavan it feels quite tropical.You're a survivor mate
and my feeling is, you'll be taken care of.

dasanudas · 06-03-2001, 12:17 PM

I remember the second time I travelled to Sri Vrndavan Dham I had learnt from the first or maybe it was Slila Prabhupad who recommended entering the dham the Brijabhasi way, on Tanga-Horse and cart, so we did that chanting all the way from Mathura I'll never forget that soft and gentle breeze blowing in our still dusty face, as parties of wandering pilgrims passed, exchanging the holy Names and you actually experience the whole panorama of the sounds, the sights, the scents, even if its only cow urine it will stay with you, the contact with the ground. The sight of Tulasi devi on the way, the calls of the peacocks and all the other birds who are greeting you to the dham that will forever wake eternal sentiments in your ancient memory bankes. The dham basis who have given up everything to reside in such a fortunate environment, the children playing on the way, the same as they ever did.
Maybe the bulldust if you arrive at sundown turning the sun bloodred and bathing the land in a peace you'll never forget either, everywhere you look so much rememberance of their Lordships floods your senses so much it kinda' makes you want to get off the tangha and roll to Vrndavan. A very spiritually organic experience. But still the taxi when it arrives at Bhaktivedanta Swami Marg and perhaps you're alighting at Krsna Balaram temole can also give you some wonderful feelings like immediately seeing an old friend, or going sraight to take dharsan of the deities Prabhupad or anywhere else you go. But the ancient approach I found to be gradual and soothing in a slow and gentle way. You can gather your prayers. Even if it's all overwhelming, it's slowly overwhelming. Another thing is it's drawn out
and can be savoured longer. I find with cars one tends to miss much of the connection. But if you ever do this coming back from Mathura, hire the whole kit and caboodle don't let 'em load ya tanga with no room to move. That's another story.

jijaji · 06-03-2001, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Maitreya:

Quote:

Originally posted by jijaji:
I will be headed to Braja in December after Kartika for a month or so...

I will see you there.Wear a jijaji name tag so I'll know who you are.

MC...

No name tag, but I wouldn't mind saying hello believe it or not.

Jai Radhe,

jijaji

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PEACE NOW

Maitreya · 06-03-2001, 06:03 PM

jijaji,

I'll be the disoriented guy with the Alfred E. Newman grin.Lost but not worried.

MC

jijaji · 06-03-2001, 06:43 PM

What me worry....

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PEACE NOW

jijaji · 06-03-2001, 08:11 PM

I will be headed to Braja in December after Kartika for a month or so...

------------------
PEACE NOW

Maitreya · 06-03-2001, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jijaji:
I will be headed to Braja in December after Kartika for a month or so...

I will see you there.Wear a jijaji name tag so I'll know who you are.

atma · 06-08-2001, 05:41 AM

Maitreya: if I'm you when winter hits Vraja I would go South. Puri has the best weather in winter and you can bathe in the ocean even in december! The locals will look at you like you're completely nuts because for them will be freezing cold but it's really nice, and Puri is so incredible. You can continue South and go see Balaji and maybe Kanchipuram. Continue on reach Bangalore and see the Iskcon temple there that is really something and maybe visit jndas in Mysore! Go on to Sri Rangam, Guruvayor, Udupi, from there you can go to the Iskcon farm in the Kulachadri Mountains, and go to Apsara Kund and the waterfalls (don't remember the name). Those mountains are a piece of the mountain that Hanumanji carried with the herb for Laksman when he was wounded. The atmosphera there is peaceful and soothing. Tattva darshan prabhu is an incredible host and his wife is the greatest cook!
You can go to many places and get purified with all the holy association of the places and sadhus there.
Just an idea. That cold in Vrindavan is a little bit too much for me and most of the people seems depressed because they don't see the sun for weeks! maybe only my imperfect perception.

dasanudas · 06-08-2001, 12:43 PM

"The learned and gentle brahmanas are rejoicing within"

But this a good point Maitreya it can get so cold that ya gotta go within. I didn't want to suggest it cause I'm sure you probably have an agenda planned. But actually I was thinking that same thing, if not the south which would be really pleasant at that time, at least Puri and maybe Navadwip on the way back. Puri is truly a wonderland of Mahaprabhus presence, and from a health perspective is probably the best place to keep the bod. in peak condition. It's worth some consideration.