Enlightening Pilgrimage of Indian Heritage

A Wish That Came Through

(From the Travelogues of Mathew D. Kunnappilly)

RAMAKRISHNA MATH

It was not an ordinary Hindu Temple. It was the latest Ramakrishna Math opened only six months ago after 26 years in the making. It sits on a mount. It does have a striking appearance. Brightly pained steps lead from the street up to the ground level. There is a rectangular hall. In the center there is an Alter made of marble. On the Alter there are three life size white marble busts. The center one is Sri Ramakrishna, to his left Sarada Devi, and to his right Swami Veivekananda. Three spotlights shine on them. No other statues or decorations anywhere. The walls and the floor are made of marble. There are thin mattresses spread on the floor. There is only a dim light in the hall. Therefore, the statues stand out. People sit on the floor and meditate or do silent prayers. The pious look of Sri Ramakrishna, the majestic appearance of Swami Vivekananda, and the sublime expression of Sarada Devi are devotion inducing.

I did not go into any other place in the building. The whole area is kept spotlessly clean and everything is arranged artistically and nicely. The young men working there were pleasant, gentle and polite. You are supposed to give your footwear at one window and collect it from the window on the opposite wall. Not knowing this, I went to the same window I left my footwear. When I realized my mistake, I offered to go to the other window. But the young man said, "No. I will bring them to you here" and he did.

The next day, (Thursday, September 14) my host offered to take me to the Ambedkar Park. This was started when Ms Mayavati was the Chief Minister of Utter Pradesh with an authorization to spend 400 crores of rupees on the project. This was to honor Dr. Bhimaro Ramji Ambedkar, a member of the then untouchable class, Colombia University Law graduate, and the one who wrote the Indian Constitution. Ms Mayavati is a member of Dalith (Former untouchable class). But she lost her Chief Minister ship before it was completed. Now the B.J.P. is not interested in completing it. (They do not have the reputation as untouchable friendly) The park was started but not finished. I declined the offer because I had no interest in seeing a park built on a budget of 400 crores of rupees for the affluent and the well-to-do to honor an untouchable leader, by another untouchable leader, while their own class of people live in hovels and tin roofed mud huts without electricity, running water, indoor or out door plumbing, just outside the park fences.

I took complete rest on that day and was looking forward to my journey to Mayavati in the Himalayas. (This "Mayavati" is the name of a place, and has no relation or affiliation with Ms. Mayavati, mentioned earlier.) 

May be I should give a little explanation for this Mayavati for the sake of my American friends who are not familiar with these sort of things.

Mayavati is the name for a non-religious, non-denominational retreat center located in the Himalayas. There is no Temple. No special place for worship. No Alter, no Deity, and no external symbols. People can meditate and or say their prayers silently. "Keep as silent as possible" is the general rule. The Advaita Ashrama runs it. It is associated with Swami Vivekananda- the Monk who spoke at the ' World's Parliament of Religion' at Chicago on September 11, 1893 and captured the attention of the world. (Those who have not read it, I recommend you to read at least his speeches of September 11,15, 19,20, 26 & 27, 1893 at the Parliament.)

There are two other such centers in the Himalayas, one at Almora and the other one at Shyamala Tal. All three within about 100 km. My selecting Mayavati has no special meaning. This happen to be the first one captured my attention, many years ago.

From Lucknow one has to travel by Nainital Express (It is called Nainital Express but it goes only up to Kathgodam) train to Tanakpur. The railway ends there. From Tanakpur you have to travel by bus (or jeep or van) another 85km to Lohaghat. Mayavati is 9 km from Lohaghat. There are no transportation services to this place. You either have to walk or hire a jeep. (I have not seen any taxi cars there.)

Next: To the Himalayas