Pilgrimage To Prayag, Kashi And Gaya

Every  Brahmin  believes  that  in their life  time,  they should at least  once visit  Prayag, Kashi and Gaya kshetrams   and perform the pinda- pradhan rituals  for salvation of their ancestors.   It is Generally said that only those who have started performing “shrarddha” for their father can do this. We were six couples who were blessed with HIS Grace to undertake this pilgrimage during the Mahalaya paksha under the  able guidance of  Sri.S.Venkatarama Ayyar from  Chennai.
The First step:  Visit to Rameswaram
Everyone from South India who wants to undertake the Kashi Yatra has to start from Rameswaram as the first step. At Rameswaram we had taken Sankalpa at Dhanushkodi which is about 28 kms from Rameswaram.  We reached the place in a jeep, and after the samudra snanam, with 36 dips, we  had to make 3 shivlingas with the sea sand. These 3 shivlingas are supposed to be Sethu Madhav,Veni Madhav  and  Bindu Madhav and Ramanatha Swamy.   After performing the Pujas to these, the sand of Veni Madhav is collected in a box to be immersed at Triveni Sangam at Allahabad (prayag).  All the other shiv lingams were then immersed back into the sea.   From Dhanushkodi, we went back to Rameswaram and took bath at several places. First in the sea and then in the 22 different Theerthams at the Ramanatha temple vicinity. The theerthams from all these wells have to be collected in a can to perform Abishekam to Kashi Vishwanatha swamy  at Varanasi. Next performed Hiranya “Shrarddham”  and  fed  5 brahmins who took part in the rituals. Later in the evening visited Ramanatha swamy temple to have darshan , pray for starting  Kashi yatra.
Second step:   Visit to  Prayag (Allahabad)  Kashi (Varanasi)and Gaya.
The second step of this important pilgrimage is to go to Prayag, kasha and Gaya. The pandits at Rameshwaram had informed us of the various rituals and offerings (daan) that need to be done at these 3 places. So we prepared all of them in advance. The beauty of our dharma is that it offers options to people as per their capability and intention. The actual sense of these rituals and offerings is that we perform some acts of charity in the name of our ancestors and invoke peace upon them.
Pic 1: All offerings packed and ready			General offerings include 1.       Some vastram for 4-5 brahmins 2.       Sari-blouse for a sumangali 3.       Blouse pieces and other small items for 5 sumangali women 4.       Not to forget the fees for the pandits. J
Day 1 : Allahabad We all reached Allahabad on 25/09/13 morning. We were taken to Shiv Mutt, Dharagunj. Allahabad (PH.0532-2500799).   There we all took the Mahasankalpa after Ganapathy puja.  The important ceremonies at Allahabad are: ·         Sankalpam ·         Veni dhanam ·         Depositing the sand from Rameswaram at Triveni Sangam ·         Visiting Veni Madhav mandir ·         Collecting Ganga water ·         Hiranya shraddam ·         Panda pradhanam ·         Tilatharpanam
Pic 2: Taking Sankalpa at the Akshayavat temple
Veni dhanam is offering a tuft of hair by the sumangali at the Triveni  Sangam (Where Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswathy merge.)  This ritual is for the good health and long and happy married life).  Husband plaits the hair and cuts an inch or two. And this is immersed  in Ganga along ,with a blouse piece, haldi,kumkum, mirror, comb etc.  It is amazing to  see the hair offered sinks in the river and does not float.
We then  immerse the sand of Veni Madhav which we had got from Rameshwaram at the triveni sangam chanting ‘Om Namasivaya’  eleven times.  Then fill up Ganga jal for taking home. We also visited the Veni Madhav temple that is situated nearby. Later came back to Shiv Mutt to perform Pinda Pradhanam and hiranya shraddam. In pinda pradhanam, 17 pindas are made out of cooked rice and offered to 3 generations of  our ancestors in fathers and mothers side and karunika pitrus. After this, had lunch and got ready to proceed to Varanasi in a 14 seater.
Day 2: Kashi (Varansi) It is around 3 hours journey to Kashi and we reached by night 9.30 pm.  Settled in the common rooms in a north Indian trust run by Sri.Dinesh. These rooms are opposite to Shiva mutt near the famous Hanuman Ghat.
Ceremonies performed at Kashi on  the first day: ·         Ganapathy  puja ·         Maha sankalpa ·         Tharpanam ·         Manikarnika snanam ·         Paladhanam ·         Anna roopa homa shrardham ·         Panda dhanam ·         Thila tharpanam
Pic 3: Manikarnika Ghat			All the above rituals were performed at Kashi under the guidance of vadyar Sri. Guru Prakash, Hanuman Ghat, Varanasi in the most befitting manner and to our satisfaction.  Here we record our thanks to him for giving us such a fulfilling experience.
In the evening, visited the famous Kashi Vishwanath mandir, had darshan of  Annapurni And Visalakshi.  We were able to perform abishekam with the Rameswaram theertham To Kashi Vishwanatha swamy. We were very lucky to see the Sapta Rishi Puja performed there from 7.30 pm to 8.30 pm which took us to a different plane of consciousness.  It was truly a very great experience.
Next day morning Pancha theertha  shrardham and panda pradhanam. ·         Starting with Asi Ghat ·         Varuna  Ghat ·         Dashwamedha Ghat ·         Pancha Ganga Ghat ·         Manikarnika Ghat We were all taken in a boat to each Ghat, took bath and performed the pinda pradhan.	Pic 4: Pinda Pradhanam
After bath at Manikarnika Ghat, we visited Bindu Madhav temple.  The biggest cremation is nearby the Harichandra Ghat.  Finally, we performed the Ganga Puja worshipping the sacred river offering blouse pieces, coins, haldi kumkum etc. Back for lunch and immediately proceeded for Gaya. Around 6 to 7 hrs journey away.
Day 3: Gaya We reached Gaya around 10.00pm to see thousands of people gathered there for the pitru  Paksha.  Lots of police bandobust. Gaya shraddam is considered the most auspicious as it can be performed only once in a life time.  Only by the Grace of the Almighty, we get a chance for this, and we consider ourselves blessed to perform these rituals for the salvation of our parents and ancestors.
Ceremonies performed here and it takes around 6 to 7 hours to complete everything.  These include: ·         Maha sankalpam ·         Palguni theertha snanam ·         Hiranya shrardam ·         Panda pradhanam at palguni river ·         Vishnu Pada Hiranya shrardam ·         Pinda pradhanam at Vishnu padam ·         Anna shardam with homa ·         Pinda pradhanam at Akshaya wadam ·         Phaladhanam  at Akshaya wadam
Pic 5: Rituals at one of the ghats
Here at the Akshaya Wadam, we take a vow to forego a vegetable, a fruit and a leaf for the rest of our life.   Vairagya.  It is here we offer the pindas not only to our ancestors but also to our friends, relatives, pets, plants that died etc.  It is better we take a list with us as it is difficult to remember all instantly. So many thousands of people from all  walks of life streaming in Gaya to perform the Pinda Pradhan for the salvation of their ancestors only shows the deep rooted  faith in us.  Day 4: After late lunch by 4.00 pm we all left back to Varanasi and reached by night to rest. Next day morning it was Dasa Dhanam, Pancha Dhanam and Dhampathi Puja.  For Dhampathi Puja we carry one 9 yards saree, veshti, mangal sutra, metti and other items such as mirror, bangles, mehndi etc. To offer to the Dhampathi and take their blessings. Finally, we proceeded to Kala Bhairava temple for Darshan thanking Him with profound gratitude for enabling us to comple the Kashi yatra and buy the Kashi  kairu (black  and red silkthread raksha)  for our near and dear ones.  We also visited some nice Prachin mandirs like ·         Sankata Mochana Hanuman mandir, ·         Adi Durga mata mandir, ·         Tulsi Manasa Mandir,  ·         Birla Mandir as well as the world famous Banares Hindu University (B.H.U.)  to name a few.
Pic 6: Daanam or offering to brahmins and ladies
This pilgrimage is considered complete only when we go back to Rameswaram with the Ganga water and perform the abishekam to Ramanatha swamy there.  It was a memorable experience and our group was so amicable and helpful with the seniormost couple from Dindigul aged 75 and 70 years old.  It was  a pleasure to be with their enthusiasm and an  opportunity  to come  out  of  the  comfort zone  we  shield ourselves in.
Pic 7: Our group
We thank all the people with us for such a fulfilling experience and Sri.Venkatarama mama for arranging and guiding us through, with a calm and collected mind-set.
You can contact him at the following address: S.Venkatarama Ayyar.  G II, Saketh, No.6, 4th Main road. Purushottam nagar, Chrompet, Chennai-600 044. Tel Nos.  Res:   +44 22231691   Mob: +91 9790735357.
Jai Gurudev!!