| 21, 22 Oct: Dwarahat |
 Today is another long travel day, from Joshimat to Dwarahat, a distance of 220 KM. As usual, we started off very early in the day, as we wanted to reach Dwarahat before sunset. It is not safe to travel through the Himalayan roads during night time because of the terrain. Dwarahat is the place where Sri Mahavatar Babaji, parama guru of Paramahamsa Yogananda, had meditated, and is still believed to be around. Yogoda Satsanga Society (YSS) has an ashram in Dwarahat. We had been in contact with them previously and they had kindly agreed for us to visit and spend time in Babaji's cave.The drive was relatively smooth, and we arrived in Dwarahat around 4:00 PM. Dwarahat is a small sleepy town, and we checked into the best hotel in town, which is not much. Pleased that we had enough time, we called YSS asking them if we could visit their ashram, and they readily agreed. Negotiating some narrow roads, we arrived at the YSS ashram. Nestled in the Himalayan hills, a little bit away from the town, the YSS ashram was simple, serene and peaceful. We were greeted by Swami Nirvanananda, a Swamiji of Japanese origin, who has dedicated his life to propagate Paramahamsa Yogananda's teachings. Sipping the hot tea served to us, we all connected with Swami Nirvananda. He has spent several years in India, and speaks the local languages well. He arranged a guide to accompany us to the Babaji caves for the next day and offered us to spend time in the ashram. We spent some time in the meditation hall, and later in the bookstore, before returning back to the hotel. After a simple dinner along with the customary tomato soup, we all went to bed in anticipation of the visit to Mahavatar Babaji's cave the next day.   Swamiji and Amma have a deep connection with Mahavatar Babaji since they were 19, and have been wanting to visit this place since then. Babaji has been guiding them through astral visits, and has been helping every step of the way on their spiritual journey and mission. A few weeks before the start of the yatra, Swamiji and Amma had seen a series of TV documentary programs covering the Babaji caves, and they had read a recently published book in Tamil language about Babaji. Carla, Greg and Avinash have been kriya yoga practitioners and were eager to visit his cave. The next morning, we set off in our vehicle along with our guide, Pavan. It was an hour's drive before the start of the trek. The path to the Babaji cave is about an hour and half trek. The initial part of the trek was relatively flat terrain, but soon it started getting steep. The sun was shining brightly, and we continued the trek chanting "Om Kriya Babaji Namaha Om".  There are actually two caves where Babaji meditated. One is a very small cave, actually it is a narrow opening in the mountains, through a person needs to crawl on all fours. The other is a larger cave. Both caves are within a few hundred feet of each other. It is said that Babaji used to meditate in the smaller cave while he used to talk to his disciples in the larger cave. Most people know only about the larger cave, they are not aware of the existence of the smaller cave. During the trek we remembered that we did not get anything as an offering to Babaji. Fortunately, a woman who was living in the hills came up and offered some fruit to Swamiji, and this would serve as the offering to Babaji. A dog followed us on the trek and was with us until we reached the caves, she was with us until we performed all the pujas and accompanied us on our way back as well. On the way to the caves, we came across a small stream, flowing with clear water. It is believed that Lahiri Mahasaya used to bathe here, and that Mahavatar Babaji appeared before him in this place. Still chanting "Om Kriya Babaji Namaha Om", we arrived at the smaller cave after negotiating some steep terrain. As we were approaching the caves, we all felt our hearts opening and connecting with Mahavatar Babaji's energies. While we had foreknowledge about how difficult and small it would be, we were surprised at really how small it is. It is a very small opening in the mountain, and has sharp rocks all around. It is pitch dark inside the cave. We had to crawl on all fours, being very mindful of the sharp rocks around us.The guide went in first followed by the rest of us. Each of us crawled flat on our stomachs for about 30 feet, until we reached a relatively bigger opening in the cave. With our flashlights switched on, we were barely able to find enough room for all of us. Swamiji and Amma and the rest of us offered prayers inside the cave. They put the prayer pages of everyone who participated in the puja in one of the crevices inside the cave and asked for Babaji's blessings for everyone. Amma said that she would leave the prayers there, and that Babaji would come and find the prayers. After spending some time inside, meditating and chanting, we slowly made our way out of the cave, and back into the sunshine.  We then went to the larger of the caves. There was a YSS signboard that this was Mahavatar Babaji's cave. We climbed some steep steps and the guide opened the gates of the cave and we all went in. It felt so beautiful being in the cave, knowing that Mahavatar Babaji used to meditate here, and talk to his disciples here. The energies were very strong and powerful. Swamiji and Amma set up the idols near the simple altar, and all of us sat around. Soon, we were joined by an American couple, who sat along with us. Swamiji and Amma started the prayers, chanting mantras. They were emotional being in Babaji's cave, they had wanted to be here all their lives, and here they were. They led us in singing some heartful beautiful bhajans. All of us rythmatically chanted "Om Kriya Babaji Namaha Om" in unison. The chants appeared to reverberate through the mountains and amplify and come back, we felt as though we were being transported to a different realm of consciousness. Swamiji and Amma asked each of us to come before the altar and offer the deepest intentions we held for this lifetime and for our soul. We felt so much deep healing, so much clearing of the hearts, and felt very light. Swamiji and Amma read the prayers of everyone once again, seeking Babaji's blessings. At the end, the dog which had been following us came inside the cave, it appeared as though she was participating in the puja as well. With a very contented heart, we all set back on the trek.  On the way, the woman who had offered fruit to Swamiji on the way up met us again, and invited us to her home for a cup of tea. It is a small hut in the hills, and it is the only hut there.  She was very warm and hospitable, there was such an innocence and beauty in her heart. We all gratefully accepted her offer and happily drank the tea. Our driver Raj was waiting for us, and we all drove back to the hotel, very happy, very contented and very grateful to Mahavatar Babaji. |
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