Kumerain: Vaaraanasee Purapatim Bhaja Vishvanaatham- Adore Siva, Who is the Lord of Varanasi, the Lord of the world!

North India - Episode 3
The next day, we were all set to get Darshan of Kasi Vishvanathar. As I told u before, our hotel is located in the temple compound itself, but the entire compound is just like a maze. There are too many pathways (small “lorong” with little shops at both sides) and the temple has 4 different gates -With annoying tight security checks.... molesting each and every part of my body!

Upon entering one of the gates... we walked clueless-ly. We didn’t know where is the main sanctum.We saw very long queue... couldn’t identify where it begins or where it’s leading to. (Aadhiyum anthamum theriyavillai ) Kind a lost in the huge Sunday crowd.

One of the policemen started to shout at us.... in Hindi. Probably he was cursing as we were not following the lines. I shouted back to him “ meh hindi malum nahi he”. (Isn’t that ironic? To say ‘I don’t know Hindi “– in Hindi) and he got even more furious. He thought I was playing a fool with him. Fortunately, before he could do anything to me... we got flushed with the crowd. The next second, Hey, we are in a queue all ready! How? I don’t know.

Within 3 minutes, we started to hear loud cries of” Aum nama shivaya!” and “Hara Hara Mavadev!’” and the bells being rang continuously. Sensed vibrations and divinity.My all time favourite Vishvanathar Asthakam played in my mind. Bliss. For a few second, I forgot my existence in this world.

Vaaraanasee Purapatim Bhaja Vishvanaatham- Adore Siva, Who is the Lord of Varanasi, the Lord of the world!

Then we saw everyone offering Vilva leaves, flowers, milk and pure water to ... to... to what? We couldn’t see anything yet! As we get closer, right in front of us... we saw a cute tiny little Shivalinggam, HE was fully covered with all the offering. Both of us (lost kids from Malaysia) didn’t have any offering for Him :(... but was gifted to TOUCH Him for 5 sec. How blessed and gifted I could be-a sinful creature spindled in illusion of Annavam ,Maayai and Kaamam.

Once we came out from the sanctum “Is that the Kasi Vishvanathar we just got darhsan? Are you sure? “ We were questioning each other. Vijay and I were uncertain because it took us only 5 minutes to get HIS darhsan while others were queueing up for several hours! Hmmm.... As we were walking, we spotted a Kasi Vishanathar’s picture at one the shops. Confirmed! It was HIM!

Vishwanatha or Vishweshwara means the Ruler of the universe.

The Golden Temple of Kaasi where The Lord reigns

Next on appointment list -the Divine Consort Of Vishvanathar, Annaporrna Devi. The search began soon. I hate to say this... but yeah, we got lost again. I don’t know how many times we actually go around the same place. From Gate 1 to Gate 4 then to Gate 2 then Gate 4 and Gate 3...then back to Gate 4....Argghhhhhhhhh! almost collapsed.

Meeting Her wasn’t as easy as meeting Him “Why is She testing us to this extent? Aren’t Mothers supposed to be more compassionate? She knows very well that we have to catch our train within few hours!”

Getting direction from the public was easier said than done... language was a great problem and each one we asked seems to tell a different way. We followed the directions (with the little Hindi we knew) and reached somewhere, we thought we made it to the sanctum. No, Not yet! It was actually Annoporna Annashektra! Where they serve free lunch, sponsored by the Annapoorna Trust.

Since we were tired and hungry we accepted the offering and blessing of Annapoorna Devi, with a little guilt in our heart. Vijay hesitated and asked me “ Why are we eating even before getting Her darshan? I replied “ Look at your plate, that’s Annapoorna’s darshan too! :P Mind you, don’t miss to have lunch here if your dropping by.

Right after lunch, we manage to find our way to meet Her. A mother is always special... Annaporna fed us 1^st, the hungry kids. Then... She opens Her doors to meet us. Both our tummy and heart overflowed with complete satisfaction.

Few more hours before we leave Kaasi, we managed to get the Darshan from Kaasi Vishalakshi, one of the sacred Sakhti Peedam and the must not miss -Maha Kaala Bhairav. The boat ride on Gangga was a memorable one too!