Spiritual Retreat in Banares/Kolkata - 5

[Guest guest]

15/11/2008

 

Most of us reached Kolkata on 15th morning. Sree Maa and Swamiji had

extended their stay in Banares. Landed in Dakshineswar in the morning.

In the evening visited the Dakshineswar temple, had Dharshan of

Bhavatarini Maa. This is the temple where Sri Ramakrishna

lived. Just to refresh our memories.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dakshineswar_Kali_Temple

 

Rani Rashmoni was going to Banares for Dharshan of Maa Annapurna when

she had this dream.

 

Went by boat across the river Ganga to Belur Math and attended the

Arartikam (evening Aarti. There are specific kirtans and slokas sung

in the Dhrupad style during this function) at the temple of Sri

Ramakrishna. The boat ride on the Ganges reminds you of the numerous

boat rides mentioned in the Gospel when Sri Ramakrishna went by

boat to Kolkata.

 

Some photographs of Belur Math

 

http://www.belurmath.org/belurmath.htm

 

http://www.rkmpune.org/rk_order/dakshineshwar.htm

 

Now switch on your speakers and listen to the podcast of the Arartikam

at Belur Math

 

http://sriramakrishnarpanam.blogspot.com/2007/09/aratrikam-hymns-and-bhajans-pod\

cast.html

 

The song Bhava Sagara about which I made a mention in my earlier

message was originally a part of the Arartikam.

 

Actually I was not there. But the other devotees were. Then I have

made this trip often.

 

An excellent video about the Belur Math - Dakshineswar Ganga trip,

Dakshineswar temple and Belur Math.

 

http://www.atmajyoti.org/vi_belur_math_to_dakshineshwar_medium.asp

 

16/11/2008

 

Kamala Maa had made arrangements for us to have a special dharsan of

Maa at the Dakshineswar temple. We went in at 3.30 A.M when the temple

opened. Had Dharshan as soon as the temple doors opened. Then the

temple doors closed.

 

We went out bought flowers, garland etc. for Maa and came back. Then

we had the special dharsan when we were allowed to sit inside the

sanctum sanctorum for some time and had a close dharsan of Maa.

 

After the Dharsan we sat in the Nat Mandir and sang Kirtans led by

Kamala maa. After the Kirtan some of us went to Sri Ramakrishna's room

for meditating there. Then we did individual pujas of the twelve

Jyotir Lingas. The Puja was done by Kamala maa and all of us

participated in it. This is the first time I have done the Puja of the

Jyotir Lingas.

 

There is a temple of Maa Bhavatarini (known as Dakshineswari) in

Laguna Beach, California.

 

17/11/2008

 

Sree Maa and Swamiji reached Kolkata today. They are staying at Mira

Mandir in Central Kolkata. Mira Mandir is a temple with the murtis of

almost all the Gods. It has a spacious hall and arrangements for Homa.

They have Kirtans and aarti daily in the evening. They had announced

the arrival of Sree Maa and a number of devotees were

coming daily to have her dharsan.

 

18/11/2008

 

Special Dharsan and Kali Puja at Kalighat Kali temple. We went in at

3.30 A.M. We sat down in the Nat Mandir and Swamiji conducted the Kali

Puja. It was thrilling.

 

Swamiji also explained the genesis of the murti of Maa Kaali and the

evolution of the temple. After the puja we had dharshan of Maa Kaali.

We could have dharsan without the usual hustle and bustle which is

typical of this temple. We were able to offer to offer a huge number

of jaba garlands to Maa. Then we went around the temple.

 

We went to the Nakhuleswar Mahadev temple and had dharsan there. We

were able to do abhishek of Lord Shiva.

 

The Dharshan at Kalight temple was a fitting Grand Finale of the retreat.

 

You can read about the Kalighat temple and view some photographs here.

 

http://kalighat.jagaddhatri.com/

 

We had a kirtan session at Mira mandir in the evening and Aarti

thereafter. Sree Maa and Swamiji sang and we danced in joy.

 

19/11/2008

 

Chandi Yagna at Mira Mandir in the morning. The final programme of the

retreat.

 

20/11/2008

 

We took leave of Sree Maa and Swamiji in the evening.

 

I have tried to give a detailed report on the retreat. But with so

much happening in such a short time, I am not sure whether I have

covered everything and wonder about some of the dates.

 

Another striking feature of the retreat was the inter action between

the members of the group. As fellow travellers we shared the joy. Most

of us were meeting for the first time. It is this camaraderie which is

the highlight of this retreat.

 

I would request the other family members who participated in the

retreat to supplement this with their impressions and feelings. And

also share some of the Photographs.

 

I hope more people will be enthused by this retreat and we will have a

bigger gathering in 2009.

 

So on to Banares Retreat 2009.

 

Jai MAA !!!

 

Sankar

[Guest guest]

Namaste Shankar, and all my brothers and sisters,

 

Shankar, thank you for your posts about our trip. Even though I was there, I

enjoyed

reading your posts as it reminded me of the time we spent together. I did bring

a journal

with me and planned to write in it every day, but alas, not one page was

filled!!!!

I am still getting over my jet-lag, which seems to have hit me very hard this

time around.

Last night was the first (almost) full night of sleep I have had since I

returned. Maybe today

I won't be walking around like a zombie!

 

The trip was truly remarkable in many ways, on many levels. On the most physical

level, I

can say that nothing could have prepared me for being in India. And while the

noise,

pollution, and endless crowds of people took it's toll on my body, my

understanding of

the country, the history, the people, and especially the religions, has been

vastly enriched.

 

Briefly, some highlights, were bathing in the Ganges, chanting at Mannikarnika

Ghat (the

cremation site), visiting the places where Sri Ramakrishna and Sri Sarada Devi

lived, and

going to M's home (the author of The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna) and sitting down

and

talking with M's great grandson, his last remaining relative. After showing us

around M's

home, he gave us insights into M's life with Ramakrishna while we sat and sipped

tea and

ate cookies. It was really thrilling.

Swamiji's homas were beyond words -- the energy that emanated from Him was

palpable

and we all sailed through our chanting with great joy and love.

Of course, any moment spent in the presence of our Beloved Shree Maa defies

words, but

being able to sing and dance and take in all that unconditional love, while

standing on the

holy land of India, easily became overwhelming. It was as if my heart,

literally, had to

expand in order to take it all in!

 

Okay, that is enough for the moment. don't want to go on and on. I will write

again about

some insights, but for now, all I can really say is

Jai Maa!

Jai Swamiji!

Jai India!

 

love

ambika

 

ps- for those of you who want to know what I look like, you can look at the 4th

picture on

the blog, and the person standing in the back, looking at a piece of paper,

dressed in

white, is me!