A CALL FROM OUR CREATOR........a visit to Sammed Shikarji.
RELIGIOUS PLACES.......not my kind of visits.......too crowded.......thou they have an aroma of peace, magic, healing . But as my cousin puts the idea of going to sammed shikarji, a place where every Jain aspires to go ones in his / hers lifetime....a place where 20 of the 24 tirthankars attained nirvana......I instantly said yes.....the idea of walking 29 kms.......with a belief that PARSHWANATH BHAGWAN will be by your side give u the strength to complete the Darshan in peace and to the content.
And we took off.....23 of us.....none of us in absolute perfect medical condition. Started with high on confidence because last time it was easy and this time it would be .... too , thou there was a 7 year's gap and fitness being a bit of problem.....still the belief was great that the almighty won't fail anyone of us. Started walking at 3 in the morning...... feeling proud to be ahead of the group...... feeling a lot more confidence, waiting every time for the group so all would be together.......reached the base after walking 9 kms.....felt a little exhausted.....but kept walking. Now was the time for Darshan.....stopped every little mandir, performed a small puja.....Every mandir was a challenge to push our physical strength and reach the destination....it wasn't easy. A few exhausted to the core and I was tired too.....if I looked behind couldn't believe we had acheived so much........but looking ahead.....it seems so little and we had a long way to go, confidence shaken and steps weaken, pace slowed, stops increased from half and hour to 10 mins to 10 steps.....still pushing. Then started counting how many more mandirs, how many mountains, how many climbs......they seems to never end......but the belief in prayers never shaken and went on and on.....with smaller goals....one at a time.....slowly, steadily.....pushing each other, motivating each other..... everyone kept going......finally one of the toughest .......the chandraprabhu mandir......and physical strength totally given up.....but again the call from the God,s and the strength regained and we all start walking again......and went on and on, till we reached the jal mandir........the hault was nice and felt fresh and we started to walk again till we reached the final parshwanath mandir......another 8 kms from base.....total 17 kms till now......the Nimbu Pani refreshed us from time to time, It was an amazing feeling, feeling of content, peace, achievement, felt on top of the world. Had nothing to ask for from my creator , but yes a lot to thank for......spent half an hour and prayed for wellness. Captured the moment and the return journey began, only 11 kms......but seems never ending......But the achievement of completing the Darshan.....kept the spirits high.....and the blessings gave a!n inner strength to walk back. leaving with a lot of positive energies, a 'motivation to work on fitness.....and a bundle of energy to acheive more heights.......Will return again whenever the Gods call us......feel blessed.