I knew that something BIG was happening down under at Nanded
Hazaoor Sahib, since I have been hearing a lot of high pitched
energy driven songs " 300 saal Guru de naal" since at least 8 months
or so. Even my parents were elated to tell me that how lucky they
were to witness the Gurta Gaddi procession which went past the
central parts of India, Vidarbha.
I knew it was historic, pious and once in a lifetime episode.
But I remained indifferent to the events and never thought of being
able to witness the same, as I wasn't very sure what was it all
about.
Somewhere mid September while surfing the net I clicked a link
which was featured as an Intro page for the Times Of India.
Covering the event of Sackhand Hazoor Sahib! I went on to
discover that the Procession Gurta Gaddi after making a round
throughout the country would end at Nanded. It was scheduled to
happen from 29th Oct - 4th Nov. ( That's what was on the net).
I immediately checked the calendar and found that the 1st and 2nd
november were the best days to be there as it was the only
weekend between the schedule. Then and there I knew that I
would be going. I had a schedule for 4 weeks with lot of travel ( To
and Fro to Nagpur my hometown which is a good 800-900 kms
journey).
I wasn't going alone but with one of my best pals, Tarlok ( a devout
Sikh).Both of us wanted to go but somehow due to a loss of focus
and long duration of different incidents ( university exams, Diwali,
my lower back injuries) we were not quite sure until 2 pm 1st Nov.
We got in touch with the travel agencies and found that it was a
11 hour drive, much more that what we anticipated. With little or
no preparation, very less communication no knowledge about the
geographic conditions of the region we got the tickets booked .
After a lot of uncertainty and a some sense of adventure we
decided to get going.Just Do it was the word!
We finally boarded the bus. We were anticipating a few more Sikh
devotees to be on board however there were none, about 3-4 lakh
people were supposed to be at Nanded but to see no Sikhs on the
bus was a surprise. May be they were already there , may be they
took some other means to travel like private transport. We
discussed about a lot of things ( suddenly I was speaking in Punjabi
for the first time in my life for a long long time, before that it used
to be one liners) . Finally we are at the D place,at D occasion and
we could see it.
Our first motive for then was to have a bath before we visit the
Gurdwara. So we tried to find a hotel or any accommodation. Found
an Auto Rickshaw, the guy told us that there were no rooms
available in the entire city as there were lakhs of devotees there
since a few days. The better places obviously went to the NR I's (
no pun intended!) So it suddenly seemed an uphill task to find a
place, the driver took us to busy market area and pointed towards
a Sarai ( place built for visitors to stay). We went into to find out
that there were 6 rooms in all and were preoccupied. A kind lady
who did not want us to share the room pointed out that there was
a room # 6 vacant which we could use. Eureka! we went it to find
out that it was a store room and basically a power back up room
for the entire area! huge generators , lots of wires and electric
switch boards and what not was lying there. Fortunately enough
there was a bathroom with a bucket, good flow of water and a
Mirror. Our purpose was solved.
NANDED:
We then moved on to the Gurdwara, what it seemed like , that we
were in a Baisakhi mela in typical Punjab pind. Nanded is based in
southern Maharashtra, thousands of Kilometers away from Punjab
but the Spirit was very much the same! Posters, Slogans,
Directions, Advertisements all in Gurmukhi ( the Punjabi language).
Just emphasizes on the fact that how many Punjabis were present
there. The mela , where small shops with Sikh mementos, posters
and other stuff. Small restaurants - I wonder why they were there
as after every 5 shops there were langar sheds ( Common Kitchen)
for all . Right on the roads were TV sets lying with Miss Pooja ( a
rural punjabi folk singer better known for her commercial upbeat
songs ) singing shabads in her own style, High volume songs were
blazing.
We decided to stop at a langar. There we witnessed a man who
was making a difference. Man # 1. He was in his Sixties, wore a
chagga ( Long Kurta sans pyjama) and making it a point that every
one is well fed, rather very well fed. He was literally forcing people
to have the Pudas ( malpua ' a sweet dish')and Kheer which he
made with a lot of effort earlier. What spirit and dedication and
open heartedness which I had never seen in my life. Old ladies in
their 70's were siting in a row facing us and they were at their jovial
best when they said that if they eat that much they will have to be
sent to an hospital for over-eating. A young man quipped " Bibiyan
tandarust kar ke pejniyan " ( Need to ensure that the old ladies
when leave are at the pink of their healths) . For the first time I
saw that Pure ghee was served in Langar and tea , buttermilk was
served in a bowl.
This was a marvelous langar, an Experience rather.Throughout my
life I have been witnessing social meetings and people gathering for
a get together sort outing in the name of langar in the modern parts
of India ,Nagpur, kamptee cantonment and Pune a few places to
mention.
Pure Service. Pure Dedication and Pure were their intentions.
I'll always remember that man, as the man who made the difference
. Difference between Social gatherings and religious ones.
We went on to witness the memorable, historic and Magnificent
Sachkhand Gurdwara! Built in an area of 2,50,000 sq feets. All
marble Monument. It took us 40 minutes to move 15 meters to Bow
in front of the Granth Sahib, as the number of devotees was breath
taking. But at such hot temperature ( Around 40 degrees) and 4-5
thousand people to jam up the Gurdwara, it was a soothing feeling
when we were near the parikrama. Such was the effect rather the
you could feel the presence of the Master. It was very calming and
you could feel the eternal content and a sense of being spiritually
blessed.
There are about 7-8 more Gurdwaras around the area of 15-20 kms
but we could manage to visit only 4 of them, One being at the
banks of Godavari river. Here you have a different ritual to perform,
which is not practiced in the Sikh religion elsewhere. That is taking
a dip in the river ( Common at Hindu pilgrims), we somehow did not
do it. It was about 2 pm. Our bodies had taken toll after 12 hours of
journey and another six hours of walking and also the Heat. We
tried to find a way back to Pune. We arrived at a bus depot only to
be told that the only bus will move at 8:30 pm in the night.We went
to inquire if there were any trains going, not until 9 pm. I felt as if
suddenly we have nothing to do with 6-7 hours to spend and do
nothing!
I had lost my patience by then. I wished it was a 5 hour journey
and a lot more negative things came into my mind. Suddenly my
thoughts had drifted to a more sceptical way. I wondered what
difference did my visit make? What if I had not visited? What if the
event had not taken place, what difference would it make to the
rest of the world?I spoke to Tarlok about it. His answers were a
matter of more debate. He was trying to be religiously correct and
had a calmer view point.
Meanwhile the Auto guy was listening to our conversation , he was
with us since last thirty minutes while we were trying to find a way
back. He suggested us to rest at a place where Samagam was
happening. We entered the place, it was more than the size of 5
football fields. Very well decorated,equipped with LCD's and
speakers every 5 meters so that the sangat sitting at a distance
should not miss the Kirtan. As it was about 3 pm, not a time for
Kirtans or any other activities. So the people were resting, some
even sleeping. We heaved a sigh of relief, Finally we had a place to
sit down, relax and rest. I had a nap for good 30-40 minutes.
Suddenly woke up, I was hungry. So went to a nearby langar, had
the food. Then had tea in the unusual Bowl, with matthis and
Shakkarparas ( a very old punjabi snack ). I was rejuvenated ,
feeling very fresh, content and energetic. Suddenly I started
getting answers for all my questions.
My inner self preached that I came down so far just to deject
myself from the materialistic world. I was a stranger , feeling almost
like a yogi. Its necessary to come out of your comfort zone to be
really connecting to the almighty. It was a new world, sunlight was
getting dimmer. Cool breezes were in the air and so was the sense
of amusement and peace. I went in again and sat with a sense of
guilt about the feelings which I had earlier in the morning.
Suddenly Ardas started and everyone rose, we were there for
another hour listening to the shabads and getting some
enlightenment.
In the evening the real mela ( fair ) started, whole city was lit up
beautifully, sangat started pouring in. Once again everyone seemed
to be walking in one direction , probably towards God. We went
around the city and saw a group from UK with their bit. They had a
small stop where they were distributing ( cant refer selling as the
prices were way too low) Posters of Sant baba Jarnail singh
Bhindranwale, a few good Cds and calendars. A huge music system
was playing all motivating songs, full of the Khalsa spirit. That was
an experience to relish, that's where we decided that we will be
buying the Kirpans ( Swords). As the whole ambiance was so taking
you towards the Sikh valor and warrior glory. I thank the group for
the same!
Our trip was coming to an end but the mood was just getting better
and better. We wanted to spend a few more days there , to be
very close to our culture , to be at the feet of Akal Purakh.
Now even the Sangat started talking to us, enquiring about the
Kirpans which both of us bought.
As soon as we boarded the bus I rang up my home and summed the
whole trip as :
" Anand peya meri maye, Satguru mein paaya"!
( I am way too happy my mother , I have found God ).
Satnaam.
