8-7-23
While having breakfast on a Saturday morning on 24th June, we had no idea that we would be 2000 kms away the same night, driving towards the Himalayas.
We had been following the updates on Babaji’s padayatra from Rishikesh to Kedarnath on a daily basis. It was truly inspiring and uplifting. So much so that, Avantika joined the padayatra remotely and was covering the same distance each day brisk walking on the bylanes of Bengaluru or pacing up and down the room at home. We were silently hoping we could be there, but had concluded that it probably wasn’t meant to be.
Saturday was the day that Babaji and his entourage had arrived at Kedarnath after a glorious trek of 220+ kms. The music from the Himachali naada rent the Kedar valley with spiritual fervour and the divine celebrations had begun. How we wished we could be there, especially Avantika, since she felt her own yatra would be incomplete if not at Kedarnath.
And then, Amma happened! She called up Avantika on Saturday morning while we were having breakfast and asked if she would like to join Amma on a trip to Kedarnath the very same day! The Divine had listened. Avantika was truly overwhelmed and we decided to go without a second thought.
Kedarnath is among the most difficult yatras. There were no bookings or arrangements made and everything was to happen on the go. Amma said, “The One (Kedarnath) who has called will take care of all the arrangements. Do not worry, just enjoy the present moment”. A divine adventure awaited us.
After we landed in Delhi, late on Saturday night, we witnessed the first sign of the Universe manifesting things for Amma. A brand new car was waiting to take us on a road trip from Delhi to Kedarnath. How often do we book a cab and get a brand new one without even the tapes removed. Feeling assured that everything would fall in place with Amma’s presence, we set out on our journey. We reached Dehradun at around 5 AM and went to a helipad that we had identified online. Since the trek to the mountain top at Kedar is an arduous one, Amma said that we would take a helicopter. Dark clouds were gathering and rain was imminent, which meant that there would be no one flying until the weather cleared. We found a nice tiny restaurant and treated ourselves to some hot chai and Maggi noodles, with the fervent rain creating the perfect setting. The owner of the place who was a Kali Bhakt, lovingly embraced Amma and sought her blessings. The rain did not abate and we decided to continue on road towards Sonprayag, another 250 kms or so, which is as far as our car could go.
As we neared Gupt Kashi towards the evening, we saw a helicopter landing on a helipad right in front of us. It was called Aryan Aviation. We got off immediately and enquired if we could make a booking. The security said that it was impossible as all the slots were full. Helicopters are usually booked much in advance and I wasn’t sure we would get one. And this is where we witnessed Amma’s Leela yet again. Only a couple of weeks ago, an ardent devotee of Bhagwan Baba, who used to be a pilot had visited Amma for the first time. Amma gave him a call to see if someone from the flying fraternity would be able to arrange for a helicopter. The devotee made some calls and found out to his pleasant surprise that his own erstwhile colleague from flying school was managing Aryan Aviation and had arrived in Gupt Kashi only that day. As soon as his colleague learnt of Amma’s presence at the gate, he assured that he would send us in the helicopter to Kedarnath, the first thing next morning!
We stayed in a hotel right across the road from the helipad and were promptly at the gates the next day at 6:30 AM. A couple of groups who had bookings the same morning went inside and we were let in a few minutes later. As you would see, everything happens for a reason. We completed the formalities and were seated awaiting our turn, which was to come after the first 2 groups. The helicopter in which we were to travel was a 4-seater. Apart from the 3 of us, there was another gentleman seated with us in the waiting area, who was to join us in the flight. He was quite taken by Amma’s presence and started a conversation. He mentioned to Amma that she didn’t look ordinary and felt that she had Shakti. As we conversed, he got really excited to be flying with Amma.
Now comes the next part of the Divine plan. This gentleman turned out to be associated with the CM’s office of Uttar Pradesh and he excitedly told Amma that he would take her directly inside the Garbha Gudi! I couldn’t believe me ears! Only the previous day we were talking about Yogiji and here was a man right from his office, who did not even know us a couple of minutes ago and was there to take Amma directly inside the Sanctum Sanctorum! The Universe was leaving no stone unturned. In fact, this man had been trying to take the helicopter ride for the past 3 days, but it was getting cancelled for one reason or another. Now we knew why.
This person was also accompanied by his family who followed us in the next ride. As soon as we were all at the top, the members of his family also fell at Amma’s feet and hugged her crying, “Ma, where have you been?” After that they never left Amma’s side. They just held her hand and took her everywhere. Their devotion was truly heart-warming. It was as if they had been reunited with their Mother.
The Kedarnath temple nestled between the snow-capped mountains was a sight to behold. We enjoyed the natural beauty around us as we walked towards the steps leading to the temple. Soon, we were ushered into the Sanctum Sanctorum of the Divine Abode of Lord Shiva. The moment had arrived. The ancient Linga was reverberating! It was as if Bholenath Himself was welcoming Amma. Lovingly, Amma performed Abhishekam to the Lingam, applied Chandan and offered Bilva Patras. The holy sanctum was vibrating with Divine energy. It was mesmerising to be in the presence of Shiva and Shakti at the same time. After spending a good amount of time with Bholenath, Amma came out of the Garbha Gudi and blessed the group. Many others around too flocked towards Amma to seek her blessings. Amma was beaming with joy and it took us a while to come to our senses as well.
My parents too were at Kedarnath for the past couple of days as they had decided to join Babaji in the last leg of his Yatra. They were worried about getting a helicopter to go down as any other means of mobility seemed too strenuous for their health. They did not have a booking. They met Amma at the top and sought her grace. With Amma’s and Babaji’s blessings, they were able to secure a couple of seats and were soon on their way to the base.
As we waited for our helicopter ride to take us back, the weather seemed to be playing a little game with us. As soon as it would be our turn to board, the clouds would quickly envelop us covering the sun, and the rides would be temporarily suspended. But we enjoyed this little game of hide and seek and completely soaked ourselves in the beautiful environs of the Kedar Valley. We were greeted by sun, rain and fog one after another and it was a treat to watch this play of Mother Nature. Only when Amma had a sumptuous meal, that the skies cleared once again and we got into our helicopter and flew down to Gupt Kashi.
We then drove to Rudraprayag and joined Babaji and his entourage for the night stay and shared stories of the wonderful and adventurous trip to Kedarnath. Who would have thought that we could go from Bangalore to Kedarnath and be back, all within 3-4 days. As Amma humorously remarked, it was more like going to Kengeri and coming back. It couldn’t have been any smoother, as the Universe manifested all the right things at the right time. A Divine Yatra indeed.
Siddanth