Left to Mantralaya in train by 10PM. Though we had reserved berth, we could not sleep peacefully because of fear of skipping the station. Since the train was delayed by 2hours we could reach the Mantralaya Road Station by 5AM. Later we got into city bus and waited for my relative’s troupe of 50+ who also reached Mantralaya at 6:30AM about 30minutes later than us.
As usual the rooms of temple committee were full and we were forced to get private lodge by sacrificing luxury. Luckily we were not cheated by missing basic requirements.
We went to river to have bath. Though spent very few min, it was nice. Then, after wearing our ethnic costumes, our steps were towards temple for “Hejje Namaskara”. It is a kind of worship. The unwritten rules of performing the same is Go round the huge corridor of temple on bare foot. This is not the end, each step is followed by a bow. Means sit on knees, touch head to the ground then get back to standing position to take another step.
Though the number of steps and time taken to complete was not recorded, the after effects reminds the same. The sweet pain enjoyed cant be expressed Can only be felt. Another point I had not mentioned was that in this process my wife followed me in each step same way.
Later done with Panchamrutha sankalpa, witnessing the same by standing just in front of Rayara vrindavana was a nice experience. The breakfast was with a glass of delicious, healthy, auspicious Panchamrutha.
Then we were in search for having something so that we get energy for day. Then MTR solved our purpose.
Now we were ready to hunt for items which can be carried to our kith and kin. This hunting was ended forcefully only just before dinner.
Finding our missed ones every time was nice to feel. Stomach is hungry for food, legs are hungry to sit, and heart is hungry to roam. In meantime we missed to get into dining hall for first round.
Later I realized it was for good. The in-charge came out from inside the dining hall where hundreds were having prasada, took a survey of the people waiting for second round. Even I was among them. Out of many, he chose me. At that moment I felt “Why only me?” But that was to perform holy service for the devotees who were having their lunch. This service was to serve them with drinking water. I wondered what might have inspired him to choose me.
Then the lunch was tastier for tongue, for stomach, for heart. Had with lot of satisfaction followed by a nap for about 1hour.
Next the routine of shopping started with tea and snacks at MTR. Having cane juice, multiple teas etc were in between. Ultimately hunting ended with impression that, “nothing left to purchase”.
The most thrilling part was participation in pulling all wooded, silver and golden chariots. This ended our special time in Mantralaya. Then our actual tension part started when we thought of reaching back. This was because we did not had our berths confirmed. Small part of the troupe having confirmed berth in same train were scheduled to continue their journey beyond our destination.
We were able to manage place to lay down peacefully in train with lot of courage (which I don’t know from where I got) to talk to any officials who may object. regarding the status of the tickets. Then our journey completed with none objections rather sweet send off from our relatives.
