Ujjain Yatra: Friend’s wedding & Mahakal darshan

Ujjain Yatra: Friend’s wedding & Mahakal darshan

(6^th to 8^th February 2015)

Well, this is the fourth and last wedding of our house; I mean our house in Mumbai, where we five of us have been putting up together since last 2 and half years. Sweta got married in May 2014, Lovely in August 2014, Rishika in December, 2014, and now finally it’s Deepali in February 2015. So, it's like back to back wedding in one family; family, because, we stay together in our Mumbai Flat more than in our respective houses, due to our jobs, so we are family in that sense. Cute, I know. But one of the family members, Lovely got her transfer last Month, to go back to her home town in Kerala. We all are also trying for our transfers as well, especially the married ones. ;-) I hope and pray that they get it soon, so that they can start their new lives happily with full love and commitment.

So, coming back to Deepali's wedding, we were all set and super exited; to travel to the centre of the Country. Rishika and I left from Office, to Mumbai Central to catch 7:00 pm Avantika Express to Ujjain. Mayuri, one of our friends joined us at the station. This was my third journey by a train, and first by 3^rd A.C., so, you shouldn't be wondering if I would ask some silly questions to my friends, like, why they are giving us towels, 2 bed sheets, blankets etc. ;-) I know, I had a Child's curiosity, but I loved their explanation as well as teasing and leg pulling. Lol

The 12 hrs train journey was quite smooth. We had our dinner, sat for a while chatting and then curled into our sleeper seats. We reached Ujjain at around 8 o'clock. Deepali's Dad and Prateek's friends were there to pick us up. Oh let me tell you, Prateek is Deepli's fiancé. As we already know him, so he is also like a friend by now. They dropped us to Ruchishree Garden, where the marriage was to be solemnized and also the reception. Rooms had been pre-booked for us. So, we dropped our bags, opened the window curtain and got face to face with the beautiful view outside; vast fields full of green vegetation. Mayuri and Rishika, who had never seen fields in their lives, got super exited and curious. So what, we had time at our disposal, and we ran towards it. Aditya, one of Deepali and Mayuri's friends, also joined us. We walked along the fields; some of which were corn fields while others were of grain or wheat. It was a real memorable walk, and I loved every bit of it, for it got me back to my own memories of my home and it was like getting back to nature, especially getting back to my own true self. The Mantra- Zamin se jude raho, really has some power to connect to.

'Welcome back to nature"

As the marriage was on next day, we had our entire day, before attending the Reception from Prateek's side in the evening. So, we decided to pay a visit to Mahakal temple after getting fresh and after filling our empty stomachs. By then, Sweta also reached from Pune. We all got fresh turn by turn, after which Prateek gave a call for breakfast. And the breakfast, Ujjaini special Poha and Jalebi: we just attacked the entire buffet table and ate like anything. We loved the Poha, and each one of us, were like “Wow, it's Yumm”. 'Oh don't tell me, your mouth is also watering?’:P

 Mayuri and Aditya had to wait for their other friends to come, so after breakfast, Sweta, Rishika and I left for the Mahakal Temple. We took an Auto from the Highway and drove off for the destination and reached in just 10-15 mnts, and there we were, at one of the most reverenced and most visited temple of India. I just wondered when people, whom I had told that I’ll be going to Ujjain to attend a wedding, would immediately say ‘Oh, go to Mahakal temple for sure!’ Then later I came to know that in India we have 12 temples, where Lord shiva’s spirit, in the form of jyoti (light) lives, which is called ‘Jyotirling’ and Mahakal temple is one of those 12 special temples of India. We deposited our bags, cameras, mobiles in the security, and entered the temple complex. They have the most secure safe systems, giving one locker to us, where we keep our own things, lock it and take the key along. And for it to be safer, they take the picture of the depositor and later when we go to collect out stuffs, they match it with our face. And also you receive instant message on your mobile with date and time of deposition and collection. Cool na! In a country like ours, this was for the first time that we experienced such a safety. In a nutshell, we cannot enter the temple with our bags and all, but just ourselves. There was a long queue now once we had entered, and we had to keep moving in through the serpentine style iron railings, and it was quite long and never ending; like one end comes, another would start, and going down and down, later we reached the main complex, which was quite under the basement. To make the darshan easy and less crowded, the offering of milk to the Linga is made from quite far, sending it through some iron pipe, which leads down on the top of linga and the milk keeps falling proportionately on it. Once we could see the linga from far away, it was all amazing; it would have been around two and half feet big, and we could see the red part of the linga, which symbolizes the jyot of Shiva, hence ‘Jyotirling’. The air around felt quite divine and peaceful, but we felt disappointed when we came to know that no one is allowed to go near the Linga and touch it for reverence, but looking at it from far and praying was the only option we had. But never mind, we felt satisfied in that also. Coming out of the main complex from other end, we climbed the steps to reach outside and came to the most amazing sight ever; temples-temples all around; all of them beautiful and neat. Though there were lots of people around, but still there was peace. We visited some of the temples, sat there for quite a while and then came out of it, feeling fully satisfied and blessed. And finally I realized why Ujjain or Avantika is called one of the sacred cities of India.

 

"Blessed by the Bholenath Himself"

Then, we went to another temple, Harsundri Mata temple, dedicated to Shakti, which was at 10 mnts walking distance from there. It was less crowded, and there’s no need to deposit our bags, so we took our time to wander around, admire the temple and take photos as well. It was already about 1:00, so taking the blessings we returned to the guesthouse.

"At the abode of Shakti; the power"

By then we were tired and hungry, so we jumped towards the lunch buffet, and had the fill of our gases. ;-) We still had time at our disposal, so we took some nap, before Deepali, the bride reached at around 3:00 pm. We were called straight to the Pooja, a ceremony called ‘Namaskar ceremony’ in which the Bride and groom would sit separately turn by turn and the new in-laws and relatives would give their blessings and some gifts called ‘Shagun’ to the bride and groom.

 

"Namaskar or shagan ceremony"

In the evening, we all were ready for the reception; all well dressed in Indian traditional attire. As my friends would hardly get a chance to see me in suit and make up, they took full advantage of the occasion and did little make-up on me, thus turning me to a beautiful Indian lady. Lol I hardly can digest that side of me, but for friends I don’t mind it once in a while. Such occasions do not come every day. ;-)

The reception was grand, the food was yum, people around looked cheerful and above all the bride and groom looked beautiful and perfect together, standing on dais to receive everyone’s wishes and blessings, smiling all the time. God bless them. J

 

"The Grand Reception"

After the reception, we waited for the clock to tick at 12:00 as it was Deepali’s birthday on 8^th. A big yum cake was already ready, and the couple cut the cake, once Prateek’s cousins fired some rockets into the sky. She graciously accepted everybody’s wishes and offered chunks of cakes to each one of us. J

"A very happy b'day & wish you a beautiful and happy life ahead. God bless ya Deepali."

The next morning, as my friends were busy getting ready, Namrata, one of Prateek’s friends and I went and joined the Baraat procession of Prateek. Here, the groom was all set, wearing groom’s attire, and riding on a horse, while all the family, friends and relatives danced on the tune of band. Prateek’s Mom gestured us to dance as well, and we felt quite shy doing that, though later on we did. :-P

 

"Raja ki aayi baraat!!"

The actual marriage ceremony was solemnized in two parts; the first was Varmala ceremony, in which first the Bride and groom stood side by side, facing each other, while a sheet was used as a partition till the Pandit ji finised the Mantra. And then they put varmala, floral garland on each other’s neck.

 

"the varmala ceremony"

In the second ceremony, the bride was made to wear ‘Nauvari Saree’ a kind of Marathi saree, which has to be tied peculiarly like a dhoti; the centre of sari being placed at centre back, the two ends brought together and wrapped around the legs. It seemed quite difficult for the wearer, but Deepali looked beautiful and comfortable in that attire too. Then she was taken to the Mandap, where Prateek had been already seated. This was the real culmination of their marriage, in which the Pandit ji recited all the holy mantras, performed all the rituals. He made the couple stand up in between and take fere, while he recited the mantras. In this way, finally Deepali and Prateek tied the knot.

 

"Soulmates united!" :-)

The marriage ceremony was over before lunch. We got time to take rest and talk to Deepali for some times, before she was called once again to go to the temple.

"Cheers- all smiles" :-)

As we had our train at 5:00 pm, we left at 4:30 pm for station. Thus with beautiful memories of wedding and Ujjain yatra, we are back to Mumbai. Overall this trip was also A-Awesome! J