A Pilgrim Odyssey

Indian temples and places of pilgrims gain importance and reverence in order of their location; more tough is the path- more valued is their worship and more possibility of reaping rewards from such pilgrimage. Swami Shankracharya had , therefore, stamped four temples in the four corners of India of which one is at the top North.

My friend Ashok, when he became a senior citizen, opted for the life of a pilgrim. It seemed that the Gods were also with him. He always found the way to pilgrimage paved for him. While going to Puri, his next berth traveler in the train was from Ram Krishna Mission. The later arranged for his stay at Puri for free. When he went to Trivandrum, his taxi driver was from his village. He took him to his home and to all places of worship without asking for any payment. At Hardwar, he stayed at a lodge operated by a person who was his class mate in school.

In his journey to Amarnath Caves which was at an attitude of around 4000 meter and 150 KM from Srinagar, he had no such assistance and had to be of his own. It was a nightmare when terrorists attacked and all the pilgrims fled away helter and skeltor. He had one blanket with him when it became dark and very cold. He somehow reached the place of temporary stay in tents. He was very tired and shivering with cold when he saw row of tents. He slipped into the first tent . There were twelve people sleeping there. He did not bother for food though he was very hungry and slept a good sleep.

He only arose when he heard voices. There were Indian soldiers talking over his head. One was asking others as to how the hell there were thirteen corpses when they had brought in only twelve.