Gadaria Mahadev, Rajasthan

We started from Boondi to Gadaria Mahadev. After running on Jaipur Kota highway[ NH 52] for some time our vehicles turned and later on entered into an area having dry trees forest for a long stretch. Our vehicles ran on narrow uneven kachcha path and on both the sides stood short, dry trees with their arms extending to all sides. We have travelled through many dense tropical forests, forests of gigantic tall trees standing erect on high mountains but this one had an entirely different feel. As if each one of those trees has some tale hidden inside, a story different from that of lush green forests. This perhaps was part of Mukundra hills tiger reserve.  We visited the place with an intention to enjoy the spectacular view of famous turn of mighty Chambal river and the little shrine of Lord Mahadeva in the caves below.

As we reached the place from where we could see the Chambal river flowing down many feet below with hills standing guard on both the sides, the rugged panoramic beauty made us awestruck. We were the only visitors there at that time. As I said earlier the river flew many feet below from the place we were standing but it’s width and slow, grave flow gave a very clear idea of it’s depth. Watching it from the rocks above the force of flow, waves or the churning in the water can not be apprehended but even from that far one can feel the wild, mighty and profound nature of the river. It as if clearly cautions not to mess with her. But then there was that tiny dot like boat coursing through its flow, the sole boat slowly making it’s way towards some destination. Watching it intently at first I wondered how the person or persons in that boat could muster so much courage as to go down there in waters and why on earth he was rowing a boat there but then slowly once again the realization dawned upon me, how so ever defiant, imposing the nature and it’s forces might appear we need to surrender to them with complete faith and our boat would definitely reach its destination.

After enjoying the panoramic stretch for some time, we walked down to the shrine. On the way at some places steps are cut and on others rocks itself work as steps. Near the cave steps are cut, made properly. we reached the shrine. Three four locals were there. Pujari was there. He told us that he resides there only. In another very small chamber of cave his living quarters could be seen. High green trees surround the cave and down flows the Chambal. His living alone there in the wild surroundings once its totally dark, once again reinstated my faith in the miraculous powers of thoughts and beliefs.

By the time we reached the shrine the tiny boat which we watched from above too had reached there. Its sole occupant tied the boat with trunk of a tree and started climbing the steep rocky terrain to reach the cave. To us it felt very dangerous, but he moved forward with ease.

We spent some time offering pooja, talking to priest and locals and treasuring the enriching experience continued our onward journey.

 The place is about 20 Kms from Boondi.

All pics by Sunder Iyer.

Batu caves

Batu caves in kuala lumpur, Malaysia is a world famous tourist spot and we get enough material on internet regarding this place hence I am not writing much of the factual details about it. I would just share my own experiences of the place.

As we reached near the Devsthanam, we came to know that the temple built on the ground near the stairs leading to the caves closes in afternoon for few hours. As the time of closure was approaching, we decided to visit that temple first. It is a big temple with shrines of many deities. At the ground level in the center of the big hall is the shrine of amman. Entire big hall is adorned with bright coloured paintings of mythological significance, sculpted pillars and ceiling with beautiful designs. On one side of hall few steps lead to another hall. In this hall is shrine of Lord Shiva. This hall too is beautifully embellished. Though many visitors, devotees thronged the premises,  the place was perpetuated with a sense of calm and serenity. I sat down near a pillar facing Shivalinga And Nandi. Pujari was conducting a pooja on behalf of a family. The family members stood there with folded hands. The tinkling of bell, the echoing mantras, shlokas, the lighted lamps transported me to the realm of stillness.

After some time we came to the open ground adjacent to the temple and stood facing the enormous statue of Lord Murugan. The statue is about 43 meters high. It is said to be world’s highest statue devoted to Lord Murugan. The statue is painted in resplendent gold. On the back of statue were grey hills dotted with green trees, while the 272 steps leading to cave temples on the top of the hills were painted in green, yellow, red and blue. People in hundreds could be seen ascending and descending on the steps. Altogether it was a exhilarating experience to soak in the entire panoramic view. Standing on the ground it felt that the steps going up and then turning a bit towards were as if leading to the blue sky above.

The entrance of first cave is visible only when we complete ascending almost all the steps. Entrance is quite wide and lighted but as we enter the cave a world of diffused light and semi- dark welcomes us. A few steps from the entrance small drops of water kept on dripping from ceiling. As if a natural arrangement of purification of devotees by sprinkling of holy waters was there.

After descending few steps we reach a big cave which is approximately 300 ft high and abput 1200 ft. wide. On one side of this cave a colourful temple is there. Small brightly coloured edifices, peacocks, doors and pillars adorn this area. The other side of cave is in it’s natural rocky form. There is small opening to the sky at one corner of the cave and natural light filters in. Floodlights are there at many places in the cave and the place gets enough light to walk , sit and see. Somehow the floodlights are so placed that though they provide enough convenience to the tourists and devotees yet these don’t interfere with natural mystique aura of the semi- dark cave. I sat in this cave for quite some time watching the cervices, the shapes on rocks and imbibing the aura. Do you know what I felt sitting there. I felt as if that cave is symbol of our heart, wrapped in mystery, silence and darkness which starts dispersing once we let His light enter into.

Another flight of stairs from this cave lead us to a much smaller topless cave. High grey white rocks surround this somewhat level platform from all the sides but this cave is open to sky. Trees and plants on rocky walls add adequate freshness and softness to the rugged imposing rocks while the sky from up above stretch it’s benevolent shade over us, showers it’s grace over us. On this platform is shrine of Murugan with a covered verandah in front of it. The aura and form of this cave strengthened my perception of the cave below. This one, the more lighted one is a stage nearer to Him. When we welcome the light with open arms, All the negative thoughts, emotions clutching us tightly in their grip, when we loosen them, let them go slowly one by one light filters in and how unburdened we feel. Nature definitely has its own language to convey it’s messages.

There are few more temples on the ground level. Anjainaiya temple, museums.

Enough number of hotels and restaurants serving authentic vegetarian south Indian foods on banana leaves to north Indian, gujrati, Punjabi thali, snacks, fast foods, coconut water to cold drinks. Shops of souvenirs to utility items too are there.

exterior of the the temple at the ground level.

 Amman shrine

 Shiva shrine 

 Nandi in Shiva temple , outside the enclosure of the shrine.

Stairs leading to Shiva shrine

The first cave and temple there in.

 The main cave and shrine

The open ground in front of stairs leading to Batu caves. On the left side the wall of coloured pillars is the exterior view one side of The temple wall. This temple is quite big with impressive paintings and architecture inside. There are  shrines of many Gods and Goddesses in side this temple. In front you can see the impressive and very famous Murugan statue. The coloured steps going upwards lead to Batu caves and the main shrine of Lord Murugan.

An overview of the area from the staircase.

The first cave and the temple in that. For reaching the main shrine one has to climb another flight of few stairs

The main shrine , the cave is open to sky.

Another view of the first and the bigger cave.

All the pics @sunderiyer.