6th May Chennai/Puttaparthi - Train
Puttaparthi railway station/Prashanti Nilayam – Auto Rs.100/-
9th May Puttaparthi/Bangalore – KSRTC Volvo Bus
14th May Bangalore/Chennai - Train
Train 2691 Chennai 2330 hrs / Puttaparthi 1020 hrs -only Fridays
Train 2692 Puttaparthi 1910 hrs / Chennai 0515 hrs - only Sundays
In the month of March itself, we (Anand, Pavithra & myself) had booked our tickets to Puttaparthi for travel in May’11. Little did we know then that we would be able to have only Swami’s Samadhi darshan (however, we had made a sudden car trip to Puttaparthi in April to have Swami’s final darshan of HIS physical body).
Left from Chennai on 6th May. As usual the next morning, Anand got down in Bangalore station and bought our breakfast since Pantry not attached in this train (train halts for 45 minutes in Bangalore). Reached Puttaparthi by 10.15AM.
Before leaving for Puttaparthi, I was thinking that it would be nice if we get accommodation in one of the Round Houses (despite having stayed in the Ashram premises during our numerous visits over the years, we had never got accommodation in Round Houses). On reaching Prashanti Nilayam and after submitting the room request form in the Accommodation Office, Anand comes with the key R-5 i.e., key to room in Round House 5 ! what a pleasant surprise. Swami always takes care of us.
The crowd is less now when compared to how it used to be earlier. There is no rush to get up early to be first in the long queue or be in the first row to have Swami’s close darshan, no waiting for hours, no need to stretch our neck towards the gate to see if Swami is coming – nothing, nothing of all these. It is easy now – be in the hall at 8AM for Vedam/Rudram chanting, finish Bhajan by 9.30 AM, have darshan of the Samadhi & out by around 10.15 AM. Similarly, in the evening, be in by 4.30 PM & out by 6.30 PM – you have all the time to visit the Book Shop or the Shopping complex within the Ashram – Oh, but Swami how much we miss that super elated feeling after your Divine Darshan – how the agony of the wait & the body pain used to vanish by your Darshan – words cannot describe that joy – We love you and miss you dear Swami.
But of course, we would still like to continue our visits to Puttaparthi because this is where we are truly at peace even now.
Met Anitha & Ashwin who were also in Puttaparthi for Ashwin’s entrance exam – he has been selected for his further course in Music & is all set to go back to his College in Puttaparthi.
Also got to do seva (serve food) in the Western Canteen. I must mention about our room in R-5. Though it was an old small room, we really liked this room – the room was cool and we did not feel the heat of summer inside the room. Also, right in front of the room there was a big Nagalingam tree spreading sweet fragrance around.
Left for Bangalore on 9th noon by KSRTC Airawat Volvo – very comfortable journey.
12th May: Started from home by around 7.45 AM to Srirangapatna. Visited Mr.Halagappa’s house/Mandir/Orphanage where nectar oozes from the ring given by Swami to Mr.Halagappa and Vibhuti appears on Swami’s photo. Mr.Halagappa’s house is called Sai Kripa and is situated on the banks of Cauvery outside Srirangapatna just after the small bridge (while proceeding to Mysore, Saikripa is situated on the right of the bridge). We were given the amrita and vibhuti. Also met Mr.Halagappa.
After a quick round of the Mysore Zoo and visit to Nimishamba temple near Srirangapatna on the banks of Cauvery, reached home in the night. We didn't feel the tiredness of travel till we reached the outskirts of Bangalore. Travel within Bangalore is maddening !
As usual shopped in Bangalore - trip to Bangalore is not complete without shopping.
Our train to Chennai on 14th May was at 4.25 PM. The car booked to go the station did not turn up at 2.15 PM & when we called the agency, they said they have cancelled the booking !!! (b’coz of the Meru transport problem, they took more lucrative bookings & cancelled the rest). My sister’s maid rushed out to bring an autorickshaw for us. After waiting for the auto, we decided to walk up to the main road with our luggage – 3 of us had to carry 6 luggage – had bought lots of books in Puttaparthi and clothes in Bangalore. Finally got into the auto at 3 PM. Inspite of telling the driver about the situation, he was not in a hurry – did not know whether there was a problem with the auto or the driver and to add to that the famous traffic jam of Bangalore. Reached the station by around 4.18 PM. Our train was to depart from Platform 7 at 4.25 PM which means we had to get down the stairs & again go up to reach Platform 7. While we were running with the luggage, there was some train announcement made and I told Anand & Pavithra (who were ahead of me) to come back and climb up to go to Platform 6. On reaching Platform 6, we could not find any train & I realized my mistake – rushed down & up again to Platform 7. I just could not run with the luggage and requested a boy to help – he quietly took both my bags & left it at platform 7 & proceeded to wherever he had to go. Finally at 4.23 PM we reached the platform & got into the train – what a relief & now it was Anand & Pavithra's turn to yell at me (Platform 6 !). During this mad rush, I was thinking why was I not able to match steps with Anand & Pavithra and will I be able to travel in the rough terrain of many of my dream destinations – Sikkim, Ladakh & other Himalayan regions. I have decided to get up early & do some yoga to keep myself fit (have been telling this for the past many months !!!)
