Life in a magic world

31.07. 2025 The bhandara management started vacating the inmates as early as 5 am. We were yet to know the weather condition outside. It appeared to be pretty cold. Many people have already started towards the holy cave. I saw Sanghamitra is getting ready. I too started packing the bag and got ready. People who slept nearby my side had already left.  We came outside of the tent. Sanghamitra then told me that she took the medical help last evening, as her blood oxygen levels were low. She had a bad headache and gastric problems.  Although I was not very confident that we could reach up to the holy cave, my actual plan was to stay at Panchatarmi and have Darshan the next day. Fortunately, Sanghamitra’s health was better that morning, as she wanted to have darshan. We tried to hire horses but only found one horseman, and already he has committed to some other yatris. At last we found a horseman who agreed to drop us in Holy Cave for Rs 2500 per person. The route was slushy, and i...

30/07/2025 This is the continuation of the previous blog. Our experiences at Paushpatri on 30/07/2025 need to be described, as it was an experience that I will never forget. After we reached the tent, there was a kind of measured silence inside the tent. There were three tents with bunk beds in two rows. In a corner, we could see the blankets piled up.  One of the inmates advised us to use the vacant space. We realized that the women will be in one area and the men in another.  My bags were wet and shoes were dirty, and as I had two raincoats, water didn't enter inside the dress.  I used the upper part (third level) to keep my bags and climbed up to find a place. Sanghamitra found a place at lower berths.  Slowly my fear became a reality. All people moving from Sheshnag towards Panchtarni are diverted to the available space in the tent. The organisers of the bhandara were shouting and trying hard to control the crowd. I tried to keep my bag within my reach and tried ...