My "Mini tirth yatra" in-between jobs

One of the best times for contemplation is the phase when one is in-between jobs. I have been fortunate/unfortunate to be in the second such phase in my career. This phase is the best time to sit down and think – Sit down and think about what went wrong in my previous job, what went right, what did I learn, What could I have learned better? Answers to these and a hundred more questions (both on a personal and professional level) come automatically in this phase. Some of the answers sound weird – Maybe my boss was not that bad after all or does it SEEM so in retrospect now that I don’t have to report to him! …. But this post is not about these questions or answers – this post is about a unique experience I had when I went to a Mini-Tirth yatra during my present “in-between jobs” phase.

My parents and me had heard a lot about the now famous temple of Goddess Annapoorneshwari nestled in Chickamagalur District in the western Ghats in Horanadu Village.These stories drew us to this temple.

Goddess Annapoorneswari or Annapoorna is a form of Parvati. Annapoorna literally means "She of Plenteous Food."

We reached Horanadu from Sringeri at 6.30 in the evening. The bus stops right in front of the temple, which is surrounded by the Western Ghats from all sides. Just next to the temple is the simple but elegant guesthouse. The newly constructed guesthouse costs just Rs 60 for a double bed room! We entered our room had a refreshing bath and proceeded towards the temple.

As soon as we entered the temple premises we were greeted by the friendly smiles of the villagers who forced us to go to the dining hall. Our protests stating that we would like to follow the traditional sequence of Darshan followed by dinner were of no avail. We were almost forced to sit and have dinner. The logic they seemed to give us was very simple – “ when you come back home after a tired day at work, what does your mother do first? Feed you (remember 2 minute maggi?!) - that is what goddess wants us to do”. But tradition being hard wired in us, we managed to have darshan and then proceed for dinner.

It was a simple meal of rice, beetroot Sambhar, Masala Majige (Chaas) and Payasa served with great love absolutely free of cost. This is the way everyone coming to this temple is treated. Dinner was over by 8.30 and we went back to the temple.

While waiting for the 9.15 Evening Arati to begin, my mother and me began singing Shankaracharya’s Annapoorna Ashtakam.

In this stotra Shankara repeatedly pleads to the divine mother – “bhikshaam dehi krpavalambanakaree maataannapurneshvaree” “Grant us alms oh maintainer of mercy Mother Annapurneshvaree!”He asks her not just for Alms of food for the body ( anna) But Gyana( Knowledge) and Vairagya ( Dispassion)- Food for the Soul.

Just as we completed our singing the temple doors were opened for the evening Arati.The whole scene was so divinely electrifying, I seemed to be in a trance like state.The Golden hued goddess looked completely motherly. The entire outer Sanctum Sanctorum was lighted with lamps for the Deeparadhana (Prayer through lamps). Arati Started with the loud chanting of Mantras, The Auspicious sounds of bells drums and the naadaswara. The religious fervor among the devotees reached a peak as the lamps were waved in front of the goddess. I could not help thinking of what I had read about Goddess Annapoorna -

“The conception of Divinity as the Mother is unique and inspiring. In human relationship the affection of a mother for her child is unsurpassed. Similarly, the depth of the Divine Mother’s love for her devotees is unfathomable. The grace that flows from Her is spontaneous and irresisble. That is why Sri Annapoorna is depicted as carrying a vessel containing ksheeraannam (rice mixed with milk) in one hand and a ladle in the other. She is ready to distribute this food to those who pray for it. In the abundance of Her mercy, She gives us not only food that sustains our body, but also jnana that nourishes the soul. When Sri Adi Sankara prayed to Mother Annapoorna to give him alms, he prayed not only for himself but for all mankind. We are all members of one family., being the children of the Divine Parents, Paravati and Paramesvara. It is our duty to love, help, and serve one another.”

It seemed that each of the volunteers at the temple were doing exactly that.

For a brief period we completely forgot who we were – All the distinctions – Rich, poor – Brahmin,Non-Brahmin-Tamilian,Telugu,Kannadiga and so on- All seemed to have disappeared.We had just these words to describe ourselves- “The divine Mothers Children”. Each of us got back to our real state – the state of being a child adoring the universal mother begging her for her grace , understanding our position of utter helplessness in this sea of darkness (bhavasagara) and understanding that she is the only one who can help us.Our souls seemed to be echoing Shankara’s words –

Annapoorna Sadaa Poorne Shadkarapraana Vallabhe
Gyaanavairagya Siddhayarta Bhikshan Dehi Cha Paarvatee

O Soul Beloved of Lord Shiva!
O Fullness everlasting!
O Devi Parvati, ever full
of nourishing food!
O Mother of the universe!
Bestow upon us alms of your grace
as divine knowledge and dispassion for
the attainment of our spiritual perfection.

At about 9.40 the Arati Ended and we had to get back to sleep.We had two options – Go back to the guest house or sleep in the temple premises.The tmple has a unique tradition of allowing devotees to sleep within the temple premises.All arrangements are made within the temple corridors for devotees to sleep.About 300-350 Beds are neatly made.Devotees are allocated places to sleep.One of the volunteers comes with a Huge rug that covers about 8-10 people !

I was fascinated by this and decided to sleep within the temple.Within no time it was morning.I didn’t even realize there were at least 50 people sleeping in the same row as meside by side – No disturbance from snoring devotees,no mosquitoes no april heat nothing ! It was as if the goddess wanted us to ensure we had a great sleep ( and if she did , she was quite successful at it ! ).The first instinctive thing that I did when I got up is looked at the Image of the Goddess just outside where I was sleeping and Said “ good Morning”.She seemed to say “good morning to you too son” have a look at the great day I have made for you outside. I turn out of the temple and see the mist covered peaks and open my mouth in wonder – fog coming out of my mouth in April! Truly Amazing!

A few hours later it was time to leave. I was returning to my mundane life – But with a new strength – with a renewed vigor that comes from the firm belief – “I am not alone in my daily struggle - I have a mother a divine mother to help me who is always by my side”.

P.N: My Spiritual fervor and the contemplative phase of being “in-between jobs”might have amplified my version of Horanadu’s magnificence but it is nevertheless a great place for a visit!