Srinivasa Kalyanamahotsavam at Ludhiana (Punjab)

       

On7th March I got a call from my sister to pack my bag and proceed with her to Ludhiana as we  were supposed to  translate the proceedings of the Srinivasa Kalyanam from Telugu to Hindi on the 9^th of March. It was just a telephone call from Hyderabad that prompted us to undertake this journey. But before proceeding we did get a call from Tirupati confirming the authenticity of the earlier telephone call.

We came to know that a group of ardent followers of Tirupati Venkateswara Swami (Balaji as he is fondly called by North Indians) all residents of Ludhiana decided to perform Kalyanam of the Lord Srinivasa and Padmavati .  They made elaborate arrangements to perform the Kalyanam at a huge ground where usually such religious functions take place.  The date was decided as 9th March. About a  hundred people arrived along with Ved Pundits, Lord Balaji with his consorts and all other support staff from Tirupati.

It is 8hrs. journey from Delhi. We somehow managed two tickets in Shane-Punjab and reached Ludhiana by noon on the 09.03.2015. We were graciously received by Mr.Puneet   Aggarwal at Ludhiana Ry.Stn. , taken to a very decent Hotel and after comfortably settling   us in the room he left with a promise to pick us up in the evening to the venue of           Kalyanam. We had our lunch took rest for some time.  By 5.30 Mr. Aggarwal sent us a   vehicle and we reached the venue. It was fully packed and with great difficulty we were led to the podium and were seated beside the Pundits. The whole stage was decorated with flowers. An attractive replica of the temple was put up with Padmavati and Srinivasa along with Garuda alwar.  The weather was slightly cold and there was cool breeze blowing.  I was very thankful to god for giving me such an opportunity.

We were fortunate enough to watch the Kalyanam of the Lord from such close quarters.  The arrangements were very elaborate. We took turns to explain the significance of the Padmavati Srinivasa Kalyanam, tying of the raksha bandhanam, ankurarpanam, mangala sutra dharana, exchange of mala, a ritual of playing with coconut as ball etc. amid the chanting of the Vedic mantras. All the 10 to15000 devotees were gives Prasad and dinner.

After shifting of the Gods to the bus, we were suddenly surrounded by a group of devotees who appreciated our work and clicked photos with us. Later on we were escorted to our hotel and Mr.Aggarwal was kind enough to make arrangements to drop us at the Bus station the next day. We left for Delhi contended of spending a memorable evening at Ludhiana. We whole heartedly thank all the organizers for their hospitality and the care they have taken to see that we were comfortable during our stay there.

                                       Jai Govinda

My Travel Experience

My travel experience

You meet some interesting people sometimes during your journeys.  Recently I came across such a person on my recent visit to Rishikesh.  On our return journey from Rishikesh to Delhi, we had to wait in the upper class waiting room for about two hours.  Our train was scheduled at 11pm and we reached Haridwar in the evening itself.  We spent some time watching Ganga Aarti, clicking photos at Hari ki Poudi and filling Ganga water.  Suddenly it started raining.  So we thought of going to station and waiting there.  Soon after finishing our dinner at a nearby eatery we reached station.  We entered the fully occupied waiting room.  There was musical chairs going on.  As soon as somebody gets up immediately it is occupied and never to leave till the particular train arrives.  I noticed most of the chairs say 90% were occupied by senior citizens.  I was also successful in getting hold of a chair.  My son was standing near me and we were just chit chatting.

There entered a gentle man with his wife and baggage. His age must be between 60-65.  He looked around. A young boy and a girl were sitting talking with two elderly people opposite to me in a corner.  He straightaway went to them and demanded a seat.  Nobody responded. Then he got furious and started shouting saying there is no respect to elders in this country, Youngster are lacking manners and etiquette. He turned towards the youngster and asked Can’t you give me seat? I am a heart patient. Look I have medicines with me pointing towards his pocket and took out two strips of tablets.  His wife tried to calm him.  He started shouting at her too, to keep herself away from all this.  Meanwhile the boy got up and gave him the seat. The elder couple to whom the children were talking got up and emptied the pack of medicines they were carrying to prove that they too were under medication.  After sitting this gentleman became normal and started to explain his condition to the listeners by now he caught the attention of all those waiting in the hall.  He became friendly with the youngsters as well as the elderly.  After some time the youngster and the elder couple prepared to leave.  This gentleman got up hugged them and started to apologize profusely for his rude behaviour.  Any way it is a matter of time.  One should have patience. At one point of time everybody gets seat.

At stipulated time our train arrived.  Our berths got upgraded from 3rd AC to 1st AC.  We boarded the train and lay on our berths.  We were slowly slipping into the sleep.  Suddenly there was commotion in the train and people shouting ‘ Aag lag gayi, Aag lag gayi.’  I woke up my son and we both rushed towards the door. The train  stopped and there was smoke in the compartment.  As we reached the door this gentle man from the waiting hall was near the door with his suitcase and a bag.  He looked at me and said ‘don’t worry they are drowsing the fire.  It is under control.’  I just looked at him and did not say anything.  He asked me ‘dil ki dhadkan bad gayi? Dar gaye kya?’  Kyon darte ho? Nothing will happen.’  Then I asked him “Are you not scared”? He said ‘No.  I am retired from the Army. ‘Then I asked him ‘why are you standing with your luggage blocking the gate if you are not scared? ‘He said ‘Oh! This is alertness. If anything happens, I can immediately jump off.’  His wife was peeping from their designated coupe. I thought it is useless to argue with him. We went back to our berths along with our co- passengers. I was only thinking about this gentle man.  In dire situation, he will jump off with the luggage.  What about his wife?  He told me one more thing.  There are important papers in the suitcase.  In case  they are lost it is difficult to get them again. Is he giving preference to documents over his wife?   Even in the hall when he created a scene, I could see her face turning red with embarrassment.

We sometimes come across such weird people.