(Chaurashi Krosh Braj Mandan Program) – Episode 1
One morning of the first week of June this year. I just gave a sip of tea. The phone rang. From Bahrampur, our elder brother Dr. Robin Chatterjee is on the phone. Doctor Babu said, Chandan, after the puja, on the twelfth day I am thinking about going to Agra, Delhi and going to Vrindavan. You make a fair plan. I thought a little. I told the doctor that I would call him after reading a little. My grandmother at Thakurgarh is awakening to Thakur and giving bath.
While looking at the Radhamabhada’s face, one nice heavenly voice sounded in my heart “Do you dive in Radhakund? Come, come.” I understood. I asked dida that we would go to Vrindavan? Once durgapuja season is over? Shall we again do the Chaurashi Krosh Parikrama? Dida shrugged. “I will also go to Vrindavan,” said Rai too. Whatever the mother, you are in there. We will take you all. I said. I immediately called our pilgrimage Hariom Sharmaji in Vrindavan. Sharmaji and Radharani told, “Chandan, come in. It will be great. Damodar month, it’s the ritual service duration. On October 21st, there is a holy bath timing in Radhakund.” The decision was finalized. We started calling all. Chandi da at Sagardighi, Babua da, Ashokada in Jangipur, Bharat, Bhadreshwar’s Saikat, Mankund’s Subirda, Visakhapatnam’s Arka. Everyone agreed.
. Within half an hour the whole plan chalked out. This time I phoned Doctor Babu and suggested that he fly two days early to Delhi – Agra and join us at Tundla station. From there let’s go to Vrindavan. In the Chaurashi Krosh program. He agreed. October 8th is the day of our journey. Likewise, on June 8, 120 days ago, to buy all the tickets, I stood on a line at the reservation counter at Baharampur. Booking for Pujo going on. Deadly crowd. I, Ashokada, Suraj, Bharat, Babu all together in te queue, and finally got the tickets. I did not get all tickets in Kalka or Purba. So some are bought at Sealdah-Ajmiya Superfast. So what. On the scheduled day, return tickets are also purchased. Now count down. Waiting for the day to count.
Vrindavan. The place of RASH, place of honey. Without Radharani’s grace, no one can set foot on this land , our father used to say. Fathe means Srigurudev. Therefore, I prayed very sincerely every morning to Radharani, Katayani, Babaji Maharaj and our father so that our Vrindavan journey would be safe and smooth. Baba taught that the ritual of praying before the pilgrimage and seeking the mercy of the pilgrimage, the journey was smooth and joyful. Guru vakya is unavoidable. It will happen for sure. This belief is in my heart. Proof I got it again and again. I got it this time again. On the day before the journey, news came that our departure train had been diverted from September 28 to October 1. WE were supposed to get down at Tundla. But the train will depart from Kanpur by diversion to Etawah and leave to Jaipur, not reaching Tundla.
I began to count my heart. What will happen then? Everyone said that if you go to Kanpur, then whatever will happen as per Gurudev’s wish. Hariomji said to come to Kanpur, if it is possible, he would send a bus from Vrindavan to Kanpur to bring us. Anyway, every moment I am praying to God, “Please let Gurudev get over the hurdles so that we can reach Vrindavan without interruption.” At 4 o’clock in the afternoon just before Puja, Hariomjee’s phone from Vrindavan- “Chandan, no worriesr. Event if your train doesn’t go to Tundla, Agra cantonment will be better choice. Then, there will be no problem. You will come down to Agra Cantonment, I will bring you. I ‘ll reserve a bus and send it from Vrindavan to Agra station.” I jumped with joy. I called Babu, Suraj. This is what is called Gurukripa. How gracious my Gurudev was. When he was alive, he is still blessing us the same way now too. I cried with joy. I understand, the Chourashi Krosh cross brajamandal parikroma program is going to make us very happy.
The Durga puja got over. I am in a daze. Going to Vrindavan. I’ve gone three times before. In the 2008 I have also done Chourashi Krosh cross brajamandal parikroma. Now it is an indescribable feeling. I cannot explain. On the night of October 8, I packed luggage till the midnight. At 3am, went to sleep, got up again at 3:30 pm. After bathing, I went to temple.
Since the Ekadashi, the rituals service has started. Mangalarati has to end before the sun rises. The ritual service will run for one month. “Rai Jago Shyam Jago Jago shuk shari …..” Radhamabhada’s awakening, morning with Mangalarati. At 9am, everyone went out towards Baharampur station. The train ride to Sealdah is at 5:15. Ashokada, Ritabodi, Bharat, Rajalakshmi, Bharat’s two sons Dharani and Dhyanes, I, Dida, Tithi, Rai, Mamon and Babu (my mother-in-law and father-in-law) departed together. Chandiada’s family, Babuada’s family, Saikat’s family will join the Sealdah. Arka and Subarna left for Tufan Exp this morning. They will join us tomorrow at Moghalsarai. And Doctor Babu has travelled to Delhi with four members already. They will be joining us at Agra Cantt Station tomorrow night. The team is all clean. 4 pm I reached Sealdah. My school life friend Subu came to the station. Some time soaked in nostalgia. At 5pm we sat on our Azmir X: train. The train departed. At 12 o’clock in the night, the train increased its speed after crossing Bardhaman. With God Padmanabha’s grace, I fell asleep.
