Greatness of Gahavar-Van

• • Mathura, Uttar Pradesh • Tags:
Greatness of Gahavar-Van

Gahavar-Van is the secluded place of the sweet pastimes of Sri Radharani. To enter where even the lovely Shyam-Sundar has to wear a disguise. Swami Haridas ji, who expressed his devotion towards Banke Bihari ji of Vrindavan, has also beautifully described the pastimes of Gahavar-Van.

This divine forest was lying desolate. It was declared a reserve forest after 46 years of struggle by Saint Shri Ramesh Baba. Still, its form was pathetic. The Braj Foundation renovated it in 2006-2010. Inside its boundary wall, parikrama-marg, drip irrigation, and benches were made, and here the living deities of Jugaljodi, along with four friends, were installed in the natural environment in the middle of Nikunj. Gahavar-Van is 3 km far from Barsana.

(Hindi to English Translation by Google Translate)

A Memorable Journey from Jaisalmer to Tanot Mata Temple

• • Jaisalmer, Rajasthan • Tags:

Jodhpur to Jaisalmer journey – The direction board indicates the Tanot Mata Temple distance, and I decided to tour.

The next day, early morning, 10:20, we drive towards the temple via a hired cab if not Royal Enfield Thunderbird Twinspark motorbike. Driving solo in a remote area may be troublesome if the Tyre gets punctured. Windmills on both sides of the road were very impressive by Suzlon as we drove. I remember somewhere within Maharashtra, maybe near Pune, I saw a few windmills but was far from the road, unable to watch closely and today I am driving very close to windmills – Hundreds in numbers.

JAL HAI TO KAL HAI

SAVE WATER

Border Roads Organisation important written message. Water is precious – we agree. Water bottles must be for this tour. Traffic is less. The more we drive further less vegetation and less population only sand and dunes on both sides of the road. To drive within barren land, I had in dreams. Dream fulfilled. ‘Road’ – starring Vivek Oberoi, Antara Mali, and Manoj Bajpai few scenes within the movie were also shot within similar road conditions – rewind memories as we drive. The drive will be remembered always. Will say – if you are visiting Jaisalmer, you should visit Tanot to experience the desert where the only road is man-made rest is natural.

The driver parks the cab in front of the Ghantayali Mata temple.

Jaisalmer to Ghantayali Mata Temple distance is approx. 117 kms.

Total travel/journey time from Jaisalmer to Ghantayali Mata Temple is 2 hours approx.

Tanot is a little far. We first stop here and then at Tanot temple – said the driver.

Summer: 4:30 am to 10:00 pm

Winter: 5:00 am to 9:30 pm

Hawan (holy ritual) – Thursday

On summer days, the area must be very hot and in winter very cold nights because all around as far as I can see is dune and sand. Living within such conditions is brave. After prayers, donation the wish was to know more about the temple. The priest of the temple directed us toward a nearby location.

Broken idols and writings mentioning the miracle of the Goddess during the 1965 war. Pakistan army men fired at their own army men, believing as enemies. They became blind when they tried to open the Goddess jewelry. They killed each other when a few of their army men tried to stop others from breaking idols. And the story of Ghantayali Mata – a boy saw the miracles of Mata at this very place.

After reading and prayers, we restarted the journey further towards Tanot. A six km drive cab was parked.

Jaisalmer City to Tanot Mata Temple distance is 123 km approx.

Total journey/travel time from Jaisalmer to Tanot Mata Temple – 2 hours 20 minutes approx.

ASK NOT WHAT YOUR COUNTRY CAN DO FOR YOU,

ASK WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR COUNTRY.

A quote by John F. Kennedy welcomes you. We walk towards the temple, remembering the Attari/Wagah Border (Amritsar) ceremony we saw a few years ago.

Bhagwati Shree Aawd Devi (Mata Tanot Rai) was born on Tuesday, 808 Vikram Samvat (year 752) as the first daughter of Mamdiya Ji resident of Chelak. She showed many miracles and was also known as Nagnechi, Kale Dungar Rai, Bhojasari, and Degrai.

847 Vikram Samvat Tanot’s last ruler, King Bhati Tanurao, laid the foundation of Tanot, and 888 Vikram Samvat Tanot Fort and Tanot temple foundation were laid.

India – Pakistan 1965 war Pakistan dropped about three thousand shells within this area near the temple, and about 450 shells were dropped within the temple area, but due to divine power, all shells went blind and no damage was done. Goddess blessings again in the year 1971, soldiers fought bravely against the Pakistan army’s sudden attack in Longewala and destroyed Pakistan tanks, and vehicles, and won the battle.

Mata Shree Tanot Rai has special importance for the army, villagers, and devotees. The temple is the crown of Jaisalmer, situated at Tanot Village – the old capital of Bhati Rajputs.

A small museum displaying unexploded shells dropped by the Pakistan army during the war mentions the miracles of Goddess Shree Tanot and photographs from the war field. And

  • BADA VYAKTI USE KAHA JATA HAI, JO CHOTA SE CHOTA BAN SAKE
  • KISI KO BHI DUKH DIYE BINA JO KUCH KIYA JATA HAI WOH PRAGATI KEHLATI HAI

And many more..

Prayers and donations. A memorial at the temple entrance with details about the 17 – 19 November 1965 Tanot war. I inquired – visiting the border possible? Closed nowadays for civilians – said, the army man.

Anyways, the tour is a mixture of three subjects: Nature, the Temple, and devotion.

I was hungry. A small canteen run by an army man nearby. Tea and bread pakora we had. Very less tourists present may be a conveyance an issue. While returning, I saw vultures and a few mud houses situated within barren land. Tough weather conditions, but a home is a home.

Kabir’s Couplet (on religion)

• • Bhilwara, Bundi, Rajasthan
Kabir’s Couplet (on religion)

Kabir’s Couplet (on religion) – This photo was taken at Bharkiya Mata ji temple at Bhopatpura, Bhilwara – approx. 48 Km from Bundi (Rajasthan).

कबीर जी कहते हैं कि नदी से पंछी के पानी पी लेने से नदी का पानी कम नहीं हो जाता, ठीक इसी प्रकार दान देने से मनुष्य का धन नहीं घटता।

Kabir Ji says that if birds drink water from the river, the water level in the river does not decrease; similarly, by giving charity, a person’s wealth does not decrease.

(Hindi to English Translation by Google Translate)

Do You Buy Souvenirs during Your Travel? And for Whom?

• • Uncategorized

Yes, I buy souvenirs during travel. And especially God’s photos for mother because she is religious and unable to travel due to old age.

I am also religious, but compared to my mother, I am less.

I have a habit of buying God photo frames (during visits to temples in various cities/towns) to be placed at the wooden temple (place of worship) at home. I have a collection of God’s photos from most of the religious places I visited till-date.

Not only God’s photos but once during the tour to Ranthambore National Park in the year 2012, I purchased a T-shirt with a printed Bengal Tiger as a souvenir for Rs. 350. And recently, during the Shirdi tour, I purchased a stainless steel thin sharp brass line Kada/Kara (mostly worn by Sikhs) for Rs. 100/-only.

As per knowledge, Kada or Kara is a protective ring.

Recently, during Gurdwara’s visit to Mira Road, Mumbai, I saw a makeshift shop selling accessories/items worn by Sikhs.

Ek Onkar sticker and Khanda – a personal favorite. A sticker for my room door and a Khanda to wear around my neck.

Ek Onkar means – God is One or One God.

Khanda, as per Google search, symbolizes spiritual and secular.

If I remember correctly, my very first thought of wearing a chain was when I saw – ‘Warrior of the light necklace’ on Paulo Coelho’s blog. I thought of purchasing it, but it was unavailable.

Anyway, what about you?

Do you buy Souvenirs during your Travel? And for Whom?

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