Blissed # 10 : A journey of faith & belief
A journey of faith & belief - Path to self exploration | Snippets from my nature walk
Can’t believe it is the 10th issue already. I started Blissed with a basic thought — to let my thoughts flow into a space which is positive, vibrant and mindful. I wanted it to resonate with things I encounter as an individual, parent and a professional on a daily basis which could be shared and relished with the community. I hope the growth of Blissed maintains its essence and authenticity.
Changes in the newsletter
I had kept Wednesday as my posting day, but with extremely hectic schedules its tough to write consistently and keep track of posting days. So henceforth, would be posting content as and when it is good to go 😉!
Over the period of time, I have realized that the newsletter contains two themes essentially: Mindfulness and Parenting which might not resonate together for all audiences. So decided to split the two into sections for the newsletter. So from now, on when you visit Blissed, you would see these two additional tabs (see below in the screenshot) and can click on either of them for the type of post you want to read. Of course, both can also be read 😃.
A journey of faith & belief
— Path to self exploration
I have been someone who did not believed in faith, religion or spirituality for quite a long time in my life. But lately, especially after pandemic the perspective has shifted drastically and I have somehow been inclined and thankful to the supernatural forces about my being and survival. So any trip or journey of faith which I undertake now, firms my inclination to the supernatural power stronger than before.
I had heard that faith & belief are the only factors which ensure that you take the journey of faith — ‘Maa ka bulawa’ (I like to call it journey as its the experience of the entire journey which affects us rather than just the destination). Without both of these, no matter how much preparations we undertake, it cannot be accomplished.
View of Barganga from our hotel. Source: Author
This journey which I undertook recently to Maa VaishnoDevi Darbar was different and certainly divine. It was full of learnings and explorations with some obstacles, but it was destined to happen — and so it did!
Being my first trip to the Darbar, I had a mixed bag full of curiosities, anxieties and inhibitions. The fact that the journey was unplanned and without any bookings whatsoever, we had our fingers crossed.
We decided to travel by road as being last moment, we got no bookings for train, flight or for that matter hotel. And being a long weekend, everything was overbooked, overpriced and overcrowded.
We only had two things with us in that journey — faith & belief.
Faith in the supernatural power, and belief that we are true devotees and deserve the revered Darshan.
Sign of faith & belief #1
We started the journey from Delhi to Katra in the early hours in the hope of reaching before sunset to ensure we get a place to rest. Although, the drive was peaceful and smooth, suddenly the car decided to show warnings of an unknown error. The 1st obstacle! Still we continued the journey and prayed we make it to Katra without a breakdown and finally after 11 hours we did.
Sign of faith & belief #2
Since technology has made us its slave, we relied on last moment hotel booking through travel booking apps and 100km before Katra decided to book a hotel for resting. We succeeded and happily continued our trip. On reaching Katra, we navigated our way to the hotel to be disappointed. Apparently the hotel was never booked (as it was packed and full) inspite of being a paid booking. The 2nd obstacle! thankfully being in India, we managed to talk to few hotels and one of them agreed to give us one room for one night, as someone had cancelled the room which was rare in their case. Not only this, the manager gratefully arranged a room in another hotel for us for the next day .
So there I was — happy and beaming as I was sitting in the holy land of the Goddess waiting to ascend the journey.
Sign of faith & belief #3
Since it was a long weekend, the city was overflowing with devotees and tourists. Also, a baba decided to pay visit to the city on the same dates as we travelled, so their was an additional burden of about 20k devotees who came to listen to him. Thus came the 3rd obstacle! The bookings for entry tickets got closed due to huge rush for the next 12 hours. So we were now in the holy town, with a room (thankfully) but not sure if we could climb the next day. But again — faith & belied stayed.
Next morning, we rose early and decided to reach ground zero at 7am and saw a 2km line of devotees. Maa had her kripa and we somehow managed to get the entry ticket and finally were ready to meet , see and feel her .
There was something different in that valley. From far away, the darbar shines like a gleaming diamond and the feeling of reaching the top is childlike but pure! The ones who have done this journey, understand what feelings transcend as we climb the 14km to reach the Darbar and Bhairo Nath. Thanks to the arrangements by the Shrine board, there are multiple ways to cover the yatra, but we decided to walk both sides as I wanted to experience the trek. Meandering our ways through the extraordinary crowd, the multiple vehicles and animals ferrying people we reached the darbar, while peacefully chanting name of the Goddess.
It would be unfair if I don’t say this —
I fell in love with the Goddess.
I wish I could capture her vibes and divinity and take some of it back with me, but her darshan was enough proof that it was her kripa and our faith & belief which helped us reach her. The sanctum sanctorum (where the three pindis reside) is one of the most quiet places I have ever been to, inspite of the mad rush outside. Though the darshan is for a split second, the energy that the sanctorum holds was highly rejuvenating and soul awakening.
Source: Web
This journey of faith made me think that we humans are merely a speck of dust in this world who carry loads of ego and remain self - centered to fulfil our desires and ambitions.
Only if we shed this fictitious skin and live our lives with a little humility and empathy we might start becoming significant in this lifetime.
When we begin any journey, we often seek to reach the end point, but the journey teaches us far more than the end point. It makes us realize the importance of slowing down, pausing and reflecting to pave way for the road ahead.
A mindful journey is far more fulfilling than a chaotic destination - Parul Kapoor
P.S. Wanted to capture more from the trip, but was so immersed in the vibes and energy that could not focus on that aspect.
Snippets from my nature walk
Till next time — Stay Blissed !
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