All the images of my articles have been diligently selected from my personal archives.
भारत INDIA
APPROACHING THE NATION OF INDIA WITH PROFOUND RESPECT
This endeavor takes the form of a pilgrimage voyage, a travelogue, an exploration into the preeminent country steeped in mysteries, occult traditions, and transcendental realms of thought and dream. India stands as a land wherein the terrestrial converges with the eternal, giving rise to the exceptional and the ineffable without forewarning. It embodies a rare amalgamation of Qualities infused with mystic and mysterious attributes.
The sacred waters then cascade, penetrating the depths of the Earth, absolving the sins of the living and purifying the souls of the departed, thereby affording them the opportunity to transcend mortal existence and return to the Immortals.
Along the hallowed banks of the Ganges, sacred rituals, such as the Aarti, are conducted in homage to the magnificence and enigma of Goddess Ganga. These ceremonies serve as expressions of reverence, inspiration, and elevation, imparting a transcendent dimension to our earthly existence.
जीवनदायिनी गंगा के रहस्य THE LIFE-GIVING RIVER
In the realm where essence activates memory, the veneration of the Goddess Ganga, also referred to as Mother Ganga in ancient scriptures, emerges as a unifying force for India.
The poet Valmiki, in the inaugural verses of the Ramayana, delineates the sacred course of this holy river. Originating from the celestial heights, the primordial Wisdom descends from heaven upon the Himalayas, heeding the summons of mighty ascetics.
Embarking on an extensive journey through key life stations such as Delhi, Kolkata, Varanasi, and Rajasthan, each day brings forth a reaffirmation of my expectations, fostering a deep appreciation and affection for this great country. The unparalleled diversity and myriad facets encountered along this extensive sojourn contribute to a profound sense of admiration and love for this magical Land.
With Intention, Knowledge, Persistence, and Gratitude.
c.,11th century B.C…
वाराणसी VARANASI
In the City where the Avaton finds its grounding, within the city known by several appellations—Benares, Kashi, or Varanasi—lies a bastion of profound wisdom, enlightenment, and fervent religious sentiments. This city, endowed with an aura of sanctity and mystique, stands as a blessed domain of mysteries, invocations, transcendence, and divine blessings.
Varanasi, situated in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, assumes the distinguished mantle of the spiritual capital of India.
Along the five-kilometer-long sacred expanse of the Mother Ganga riverbank, numerous Ghats flank its shores. These sacred piers, hallowed since time immemorial, have served as contemplative spaces where venerable figures such as Rishi, Maharaji, Swami- otherworldly ascetics and Holy Beings, have immersed themselves in the study and dissemination of the Holy Vedas. Their pursuits have been dedicated to seeking the Light and bestowing blessings upon the shores of the sacred Ganges, leaving an indelible imprint on our terrestrial perspectives.
कोलकाता KOLKATA
काली घाट मंदिर KALIGHAT TEMPLE
The Dakshineshawar-Dakshineswar Kali Temple or Dakshineswar Kalibari, the incredible Hindu temple by the banks of the Hooghly River_the westernmost distributary of Mother Gange_ in Dakshineswar, West Bengal.The presiding deity of the temple is Bhavatarini (Kali) the revered Hindu Deity, a form of Mahadevi or Parashakti Adya Kali, otherwise known as Adishakti Kalika. The Temple has become world famous as the stage for the divine play of Sri Ramakrishna’s spiritual practices, realizations and teachings.
The Temple is also associated with the lives of many great men and saints such as Swami Vivekananda, Swami Abhedananda, Paramahansa Yogananda and Girish Ghose and others.
The 12 spired main Temple is surrounded by 12 other temples of splendid architecture. The interior sanctum of the Temples, possess an incredible and primordial ambiance deliberately inaccessible to cameras..
Nevertheless, the encompassing scenery surrounding the temple compensates for the restricted access to the inner sanctum, as it offers an overwhelmingly wonderful vista for pilgrims
Moving in the largest city of the Indian state of West Bengal; a magnificent and multifaceted city filled with vibrant cultural hues. Kolkata in Bengali or Kalkuta the overcrowded metropolis, teeming with life and rare combinations of Qualities filled with mystic and mystery.
परमहंस योगनन्द PARAMAHANSA YOGANANDA
4 Garpar Road in Kolkata, West Bengal, India, holds profound significance as the boyhood home of Paramahansa Yogananda, the revered Great Master, the great Emissary to the West of India’s ancient wisdom who emphasized the Universality of religion. Within the confines of this residence, specifically in the attic, Paramahansa Yogananda diligently engaged in daily meditations, fortifying his spiritual essence for the transmission of divine knowledge and grounding the sacred teachings received from his esteemed Masters—a lineage of Revered and Blessed Teachers.
Paramahansa Yogananda’s literary contributions are notably encapsulated in valuable manuscripts, with “Autobiography of a Yogi” standing out as his most acclaimed work. The dwelling at 4 Garpar Road thus stands as a hallowed space, witnessing the spiritual endeavors and profound insights of one of the preeminent spiritual figures of the 20th century.
स्वामी श्री युक्तेश्वर जी SWAMI SRI YUKTESWAR GIRI
Serampore, the birthplace and abode of Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri, holds profound significance in the life and teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda, who regarded Sri Yukteswar as his revered Guru. Paramhansa Yogananda, reflecting on his Guru’s character, remarked, “I can say that Sri Yukteswar would have been more popular—arguably the most sought-after guru in India—if his language hadn’t been so frank and direct.”
In contemplating the enigmatic nature of a Guru-Man amidst the myriad mysteries surrounding humanity, Paramhansa Yogananda alludes to the challenge of immediately comprehending the inscrutable depths of such a spiritual Guide. The association with Serampore further underscores the sanctity of the birthplace and dwelling of Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri in the spiritual legacy imparted by Paramhansa Yogananda.
Sri Yukteswar was a disciple of Lahiri Mahasaya and attained the spiritual stature of a Jnanavatar, or incarnation of wisdom.
महात्मा गांधी MAHATMA GANDHI
Monuments stand as enduring tributes that resonate with the singular Uniqueness and Greatness of Mahatma Gandhi, the esteemed spiritual and political Leader often revered as the Father of India. In their sheer simplicity, these structures encapsulate the Essence of a Man who ardently fought against poverty, championed the rights of women, advocated for religious and national harmony, strove to eradicate the injustices ingrained in the caste system, and relentlessly worked towards liberating his country from foreign rule.
Tragically, the Life of this Remarkable Individual met an untimely end on January 30, 1948, when Mahatma Gandhi, a symbol of Liberty and Democracy, fell victim to assassination. The profound grief that enveloped India and reverberated throughout the entire Planet underscored the magnitude of this monumental loss.
However, the timeless Ideas and enduring Work of Mahatma Gandhi persist unscathed, reawakening the human heart and mind to a higher Ideal that unites Truth and Love into a living practice, serving as a Perennial Source of inspiration and guidance for present and future generations.
“Neither birth, nor death, nor lineage do I possess, nor father, nor mother, nothing. Blessed spirit, I am that. Immortal soul.” – from the world-renowned religious song (hymn) of Swami Shankara, an unparalleled expression of Vedantic monism – the theory that reduces the diversity of the world to unity through Spirit. The very core of Vedic thought!
सबसे बड़ा फूल बाजार,कोलकाता Mullick Ghat Flower Market
In the early hours of dawn, a sensory spectacle unfolds at the historic Mallick Ghat Flower Market in Kolkata, West Bengal. The market is adorned with an array of vibrant colors and fragrances, set against the backdrop of the iconic Howrah Bridge and the banks of the Hooghly River. The scene is visually captivating, with the bridge towering over the lively marketplace.
The expansive and vivid surroundings come alive with the sight of numerous individuals, laboriously carrying baskets of fresh and rare flowers on their heads, hands, and shoulders.
Additionally, a multitude of others is engaged in creating exquisite color compositions on the ground. To fully appreciate the charm of this floral abundance and the myriad colors, one is encouraged to explore the market before the first rays of the sun illuminate the area. It is during this early morning moment that visitors have the unique opportunity to encounter the local workers who, with a deep sense of connection, regard Mallick Ghat as their home.
Moment’s countless aspects in primal neighborhoods..
