My Trip to Kumbh Mela 2015 in Nashik

Written by Vidya Rajagopalan

My trip to the Kumbh Mela in Nashik in 2015 is one I am eternally grateful for.
We left for Nashik on September 12th and had a restful stay at Hotel Express Inn in Nashik. The next day September 13th , we were to take the holy dip in the Godavari as part of the Kumbh. I had read up the significance of the Kumbh Mela and felt blessed that we were going to participate in the sacred event in the presence and with the blessings of Mohanji, lovingly called ‘Father’ or ‘ Baba’. I must add that I had heard about unmanageable crowds and difficult conditions in such gatherings. But in the blessed presence of Mohanji, events aligned themselves smoothly! We parked our vehicles just half kilometer from the ghat, while we had initially been prepared to walk a few kilometers! We reached the ghat and found it empty, as if it was meant just for our group!! Mohanji gave us instructions on how to take the dip – we were to remember, thank and pray to/for our ancestors, our Kula Devathas, Ishta Devatas, our family members, near and dear ones, and others whom we have known and who have departed from this world and of course ourselves. Someone our family knew well for many years, who was a very blessed soul- reading horoscopes for over 60 years for free, had passed away just two days back. I took a dip while remembering him also. We had taken the dips during Brahma Muhurtha ie around 3.30 – 4 am, which is the best time for spiritual endeavors. I sought Mohanji’s blessings too after the bath and I could feel cleansed from within. I was steeped in amazement at how a group event could go about so smoothly. The second dip was on the 18th and it was even more wondrous! During this dip, one of the group members poured some of the Godavari water on Mohanji, saying Om Namah Shivaya and the entire group did the same. Mohanji also poured water (and his blessings) on all of us.

Once we came out of the water, the smell of Udi/Vibhuti permeated the air and there was no doubt why!! Mohanji looked just like SaiBaba with a towel wrapped on his head and standing under an umbrella, held by a devotee (it was raining – the Gods were showering their blessings). Photos taken during the dip showed blue orbs (indicating divine presence) above Mohanji as he took dips in the river! Little wonder that we felt very complete and satisfied when we left!
On the evening of the 13th, we had meditation and satsang at the hotel’s banquet room. It was the Power of Purity meditation and was followed by Shiva Kavach chanting. The entire atmosphere was charged with divine energy, because it was in the presence of Mohanji and I felt the essence of every word uttered during the meditation. Tears of gratitude and a feeling of deep peace and satisfaction enveloped me throughout and as I chanted the affirmations, I knew I let go of unnecessary emotions and negativity. I was left with a feeling of wanting to do good and realized what I had read earlier, about feeling complete and at peace when we are in gratitude. I am extremely thankful to Mohanji for it all. During the Satsang, Mohanji answered questions that came up and they seemed relevant to all present. One of them I think deserves special mention because it was from my 6 year old niece. It was, ‘Who made God?’ Of course, Mohanji gave a beautiful and simple explanation. Here is a short description of my recollection – God may be described as a brilliant light, the equivalent of innumerable suns, as a vast amount of energy, without a beginning or end, present everywhere and from whom everything we know originated.
Another experience that I would like to share is from our visit to Bhagwan Nityananda’s Samadhi in Ganeshpuri. Mohanji did not accompany us, as he wanted to visit an old swami called Vasudevan Swamiji in Vajreshwari. This was my first visit to Kailash Bhavan and I had not even read about Bade Baba (as Bhagwan Nityananda is referred to). We washed our hands and feet at the hot springs pond and proceeded into the Bhavan. I sat down to meditate in a room and felt wonderful energy. After that I tried to peer through the glass enclosure of a room where Swami Nityananda used to sleep. I felt drawn to the door, as if I wanted to just go in and at the same time, the wonderful scent of Vibhuti was coming through the door! I enjoyed this experience for a while, and later learnt that the others in the group too felt the same draw of energy and the scent of Vibhuti through the door! The arthi that we attended next at Bade baba’s Samadhi was again very fulfilling. One can describe this state as one in which the mind does not do its chatter and we are engrossed in whatever we are doing, without any distraction – be it participating in the arthi or chanting some nama.
Then we left for Vasudevan Swamiji’s house. Mohanji was there and he casually mentioned that he was there at Kailash Bhavan! (That explains the strong vibhuti scent!) I understood that he doesn’t need to travel just in this physical plane that we all see!
Every stone in Vasudevan Swamiji’s house represented a God; Lakshmi, Kaliya Narthana Krishna, Shiva, Hanuman are a few I can recall from the long list mentioned by the Swami and these Gods I learn’t come and give darshan to Vasudevan Swamiji because of his bhakthi (pure love)! Mohanji explained that one can feel the energy of about 50 temples in just that one room! And I experienced it – when we sat down in the room and meditated for a few minutes, I could feel great peace, a quiet mind and desire to focus.

Here are a few moments of Sri Vasudevan enthusiastically showing the points where Gods and masters manifested by leaving traces i.e. changing the shape of stones in the walls:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoJi5RV85p8?rel=0&controls=0&showinfo=0&w=560&h=315]

Later we sought the blessings of Swamiji and left for Mumbai.
During the car ride back, I felt grateful and blessed and as if to strengthen it, I smelt the divine scent of Vibhuti again! This time of course I knew it was because of Mohanji, because he was also in the car! All I can say is again, I felt blessed!
As I wondered where I should begin saying the thank you(s), I realized it began at home! I am thankful that I was born into a family with strong faith in the Almighty and for my parents who nurtured and strengthened it. All of this has guided me to this path and I pray for unswerving, strong faith and purity and magnanimity of intent and action. Words cannot truly express the gratitude I feel towards Mohanji for his grace and kindness!
I would also like to thank all the organizers, who have put in many weeks of hard work in order to organize this pilgrimage. All legs of the trip were handled with great care. A nice, informative write up about the significance of the Kumbh Mela and other places we were to visit along with a detailed itinerary, was a good idea. Travel arrangements, food and accommodation were great and the company of others in the group, who also wanted this wonderful spiritual experience with our Guru Mohanji, made this trip an unforgettable one.