The blessings we have received on this trip are like no other I have experienced in any pilgrimage in my life. The presence of Babaji is strongly felt, guiding us every step of the way.
Pictures of the Gurus at a rural tea shop
When we stopped at a random tea stall in a remote village on our drive, we noticed the pictures of our Gurus gracing the wall. This is one of the many instances where the Gurus have given us a sign of their presence with us these past few days.
Mahavir serving tea
The resort where we spent three nights near Babaji's cave is very special too. It is not reachable via a proper road and is very secluded. And it is a mere 40-minute hike away from the cave, right below it. All that stay here are devotees visiting the cave. The staff was stellar. The manager was a girl from the nearby village who had a perpetual smile and the most serviceful attitude of anyone I have met.
Meditating outside babaji’s cave
On our first day we went as a group to the cave. We took turns meditating inside the cave. Following that we did a fire ceremony with sanskrit mantras outside the cave with ghee and rice. And then a purification ceremony where everyone got the opportunity offer a something into the fire to let go of.
Being a group entirely made of Kriya yogis, we also had a special prayer and an inward renewal of our commitment to our Kriya practice, followed by the "Babaji drink". This was the place Kriya was given for the first time in this age, and Babaji offered this prasad to Lahiri. So surreal for us to be present at the same spot and tasting the drink, knowing fully that Babaji has granted our wish!
Fire ceremony outside babaji’s cave
After a picnic lunch on the meadow where the golden palace was materialized, some us hiked further up the hill to the top of the Dunagiri mountain. This entire mountain (where the cave is) is incredibly sacred. It was sanctified by the pandavas during their exile, and on this mountain top they performed penance.
Pandav kholi (the mountain top) is unlike other sacred places. No crowds, no big temples here. Many many great yogis and sadhus have resided here in the recent times. One of them is Balwant giri maharaj (who Debi mukherjee met and mentions in shaped by saints). We visited his hut/cave and walked around this hallowed sod.
That evening was the first performance of a play that we had put together specially for this day and this location - a dramatization of the first meeting of Babaji with Lahiri, the Golden palace incident and the kriya initiation. It was titled “The Resurrection of Kriya yoga”. Shivendra played babaji, Jitendra played Lahiri and there were few other cast members. Swami’s music and chants were interwoven into different scenes. It was profoundly inspiring to relive these anciently familiar words and incidents. (The play was recorded on video and we will share it soon)
The following day we split into smaller groups. Many returned to the cave for longer meditations. Two groups also visited the powerful and sacred Durga temple called Dunagiri devi, very close to Babaji's cave. Almost everyone got to visit Babaji’s cave twice.
The visit to the temple was nothing short of spectacular. We were meant to and guided to visit this sacred place. Many locals believe that this temple is where Babaji and Lahiri met for the first time and the initiation happened in the cave on the other side. There is even a tree marking that meeting location.
Dunagiri Devi temple
Whether or not that is exactly what happened, it is undoubtedly a very powerful place and very closely connected to Babaji's cave. The pandav kholi peak and dunagiri temple are right across and can be clearly seen from each other. There is no idol here but simply two rocks that symbolize divine mother's limbs. It has been mentioned in scriptures from time immemorial. Many saints and yogis can be seen around this temple.
We in fact met one such yogi - Bhatkoti Baba. We approached his cave that is near the temple on top of the hill. A friend who was with us mentioned how the baba chased him away in the past without letting him sit in the cave. Now, he welcomed us. He was not warm enough to take questions, but allowed us to stay in his abode for 20 mins and shared lots of fascinating information about Babaji's cave. The baba had a picture of Babaji on his altar. This baba is a disciple of Balwant Giri, who lived in Pandav Kholi.
There were so many more encounters and blessings this day that I won’t get into detail here. Our hearts were filled with the presence of Babaji and his living presence guiding us.
Reading prayer requests to Babaji at the superconscious attunement ceremony
That evening we hosted a powerful superconscious attunement ceremony. This ceremony written by Swamiji is not often performed at Ananda. This was a particularly special moment to lead it. We all gathered along with the manager of the resort and our guide Mahavir, mentioning numerous prayer requests for the group to pray for. Each one was presented to Babaji with our sincere wish. His presence could be felt that evening and no doubt they were all received.
We left very early the next morning to travel towards Badrinath - an arduous bus journey crossing over to a different section of the himalayas. The bliss and ecstasy of our time in Babaji’s cave still lingers in our hearts.