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Namaste.
I arrived at the Shantikunj Ashram in Haridwar and after a warm welcome was shown to my room which was basic with a hard bed but it suffices. I was given a strict daily routine to adhere to which included waking up at 4AM and must meditate at least 3 times daily at specified times whilst also attending discourses about the Ashram. Later in the day was shown around the Ashram including the shrine to its founding father and mother and also a lovely temple whereby you can meditate infront of a replica model of the Himalayas which is very inspiring. After doing Aarti (worship) I went for some food (no forks here its the good old fashioned Indian way!) followed by the final of the days meditation. THus far found it very serene tranquil here, the air is significantly cleaner and fresher which is a big contrast to Delhi. It felt weird being in my own room after a couple of days in a busy dorm with lots of people but it is nice to have some solace and meditate/read in near silence.
After an early night 9pm curfew, I woke up at 4AM then proceded to get lost trying to find meditation room. Following that we went to see the daughter-in-law of the founder father & mother guru. She was a very compassionate lady that radiated warmth & sincerity. We then went to see the burning flame which has been constantly burning since 1926 and also went around the site and the university campus where I met the son of the lady above. I bought some books in the bookstore that were dirt cheap, less than £1 per book! The gurudev Shiram Sharma Acharya has written over 3,000 books on all aspects of life and the afterlife. Had around 6 hours free so decided to take my initiative and book the train back down south. Went into local travel agent whom said all trains are booked up until 9th Dec, great. He said best bet is to get the bus from Rishikesh. I went by rickshaw to Rishikesh and saw lots of monkeys on the way, I thought they were a bit too close to the roadside for comfort. A mile or so down the line I saw a monkey flat as a pancake unfortunately, or monkey pizza! Had to laugh at the 'organisation' at Rishikesh bus station, I asked the lady about buses to Jaipur or Agra, she didn't have a bloody clue. Then she was like oh yeah there are 2 per day.. so I asked how much.. She just shakes her head, not a bloody clue! She knew sweet fa!! I've got to admit that after the dizzyness of Delhi this is like a sanctuary its so tranquil and really feeling the vibes and good vibrations in the Ashram and location at the foothills of the Himalayas. The Ganges is a magnificent river with a really strong current but can sit here all day watching it flow by.
The third day has been the best yet but also frustrating. It started and ended magically. At 5:30 I partook in the Yagya fire ceremony which was really good. The chief of our fire then took me round the complex a bit performing various rituals and then had breakfast together comparing different types of chai tea! In between was sat around waiting in an office for what felt like ages for no apparent reason, early afternoon finally managed to go out exploring and went to Hardiwar with a lecturer at the uni. We went to see the Swarmi Vivekenanda rail exhibition which was inside a train, he is probably India's most important person in the last century or so. I then tried to book my train tickets but no bloody go, there's always some complication here.. It was after by the Ganges however that had a mesmerizing experience. We were there around sunset and a lot of people were gathering for Aarti by the temples on the banks of the river. I really was enchanted by it all and I felt privileged to be a part of and witness it.
Had a very productive morning on Monday which started with Yagya ceremony then meditation. Finally managed to book train tickets too, didn't realise there was an agency in the Ashram, they really do have everything in here!! Looking forward to slumming it with the slum dogs in sleeper class on the choo choo tomorrow. I had a meeting with Dr Pandya, grandson of the founder of the Ashram, and he taught me an important spiritual lesson.. its not about where you are in the world, ie Blackburn or Himalayas, its about where you are inside as a person.. This morning was the coldest yet, conversely, by lunchtime it was the hottest day thus far and so I thought what better time to take a plunge in the Ganges. It was bloody freezing but well worth it, felt invigorated and rejuvenated afterwards then watched the Ganges and people go by as I dried in the afternoon sun. I've noticed a lot of the men here have a type of ponytail.. I found out that this is like an antenna to connect better with god. I witnessed another Aarti in the afternoon at the Ashram and must say that it is such a simple yet extraordinary ceremony. I don't understand the words but can feel it however. There are constant mantras emitted from the morning wake up call all the way through to lunchtime in the canteen until the end of the night.
Final day in the Ashram started with the usual rituals and then sadly said goodbye to Mr Myagi aka my Yagya guide/shaman. The sky was pink at dawn which is where will be heading at dusk.. the pink city of Jaipur. Off to the research centre later with a Canadian after which will visit a 15 story temple. I've had a wonderful time here at the Ashram and although not had enough time to enroll in classes/courses I've experienced and come to love the Ashram way of life where simplicity really is best.
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