My Destined Pilgrimage to Kurvapuram

By Narendra Bhandari

My first read on spirituality was an autobiography of a yogi by Paramhansa Yoganandaji, an e-book in September 2013. Thereafter in April this year, I was presented two books by Dr. Deepali Jaju, I had finished reading both these, (Shri Sai Satcharitta and SreePada SreeVallabha Charitaamrutam) by the first week of June. Having read about Sai Baba and SreePada SreeVallabha, my self-awareness levels were at their highest that I had ever experienced so far. Somewhere within I had the desire to meet my Guru Sri Mohanji immediately and also visit the shrine of Vaishnodevi with him in the same trip. So I got in touch to seek his permission, his immediate suggestion was, let us go to Kuruvapuram instead. I was amazed at this response. Here I have just finished reading SreePada SreeVallabha Charitaamrutam, and I am being invited to visit the seat of SreePada SreeVallabha. I agreed immediately.
On the morning of 23rd June 2014 I landed at Bangalore for the first time and headed towards Preeti Duggal’s home, after reaching, I prostrated to Mohanji and met Rajeev, Preeti and Kiran. There was so much of love emanating from the Duggals’ home, I was overwhelmed.

 

While we were on the breakfast table, Kiran suggested that there is a spiritual siddha and Dattatreya bhakta in Bangalore. On hearing this Mohanji wanted to meet him in the afternoon. The plan was mooted for the afternoon.

 

We spent about an hour there and were fortunate to get the blessings of the 88-year-old Siddhapurush, who can speak many Indian languages and had extensively toured the world.

In the evening I along with Mohanji, Preeti, Murty and Jagdish took the Nanded Express from Banaglore station to Raichur. After an overnight comfortable train journey we headed towards destination Kuruvapuram.

At destination Sripada Srivallabha Puram, we (all the five of us, Mohanji, Murty Garu, Preeti, Jagdish and I) prostrated to Sri Sri Sri Swamy Vitthal Babaji

While I was clicking pictures, I was seeing some forms through the viewfinder but which were not being captured by the camera. I brought this to the notice of Babaji. He smiled and explained that when there was a communion, other beings also wanted to participate and feel their presence. The   picture below shows such beings

We were blessed to be in the personal care of Vitthal Babaji. Babaji then asked us to visit the place where Sripada Srivallabha used to offer surya namaskar on the banks of Krishna. We were so fortunate to be able to see that place, as most of the year it is submerged in water. Here are some pictures:

The stay at the ashram was absolutely stress-free. The arrangements were simple but full of love. The food was served by the ashramites with love and affection. In a matter of 0ver 36 hrs at the ashram we got abundance of everything that soothed the soul. Soon the time to depart approached, but I did not feel that I was going to miss something, all I knew was that I was feeling light. We took Vitthal Babaji’s aashirwad and departed for Raichur railway station at 8:30 PM on 25th June 2014. Took the train just after midnight and retired for the day on our berths. A big Thanks to Murty Garu and Preeti for organizing this trip.

In the morning we were in Bangalore at the Duggals’ place. We were planning yet another visit to Devi Amma’s place. I was to move out of Bangalore in the evening.

After taking the blessings I departed for the airport to travel to Mumbai. I arrived in Mumbai and further travelled to Nasik & reached home to meet my parents on the eve of 26th June 2014. My initial plans were to return to Muscat from Bangalore itself, however on request of my brother for some business related matter I detoured and reached Nasik. However the next day the business related meeting was held but did not yield the objectives. Once out of the meeting, my brother asked, “Shirdi Chalna hai”? This came as a total surprise. We went home, took my son Teshub along and headed for Shirdi. While all this was going on, Seema called from Muscat and conveyed that she wanted me to participate in the shani pooja at Nasik, which she organized with a Pundit. We had a good darshan of Shirdi Sai Baba and returned home at night.
Next Morning on 28th June, I participated in the Shani Shanti Pooja, performed by a team of Brahmins and took the blessings and headed for Mumbai with Teshub.
Having reached Muscat, I attended office on 29th June 2014 during the day. However by evening I was down with severe fever and intolerable body pain. This situation continued for three days, this was three days of severe cleansing. I am grateful to the Almighty for this cleansing and introducing me to many lovable personalities especially Preeti and Rajeev Duggal, who have been such wonderful people.