Visit to ESHA Dhyan / Yoga Centre

Date: 20-01-2009
Occasion: To observe (NOT any kind of celebration) 32nd Wedding Anniversary – On 21-01-09
Purpose of Visit: To keep away from, all noisy affairs / activities and to remain in a quiet place.
Location of the Place: 30 KM from Coimbatore, in the base of Vellingiri Hills.
Preparation: Basic enquiry at the Town bus-stop and website information. Contacted the Centre and booked a cottage for TWO, who also informed us of how to reach there.
Actual Travel: Packed all necessary items, dress including warm clothing (later experienced no such requirement as, the weather condition was favorable.)Carried with us, Food for the day, – chapattis, Bananas, biscuit, water, and, of course sufficient CASH.
Left house at midday on 20-01-09, and took route no 70 bus to the Town Bus stop. We reached there, at 12.45 Hrs. The bus to Isha centre was supposed to arrive there at 13.15 hrs, but did not come till 13.55 hrs. (Later we learned that we actually missed the particular bus by mistake-look at the picture of the bus we missed) the bus we took went up to the closest location called CHEMMEDU.
From here we took a call taxi shared by three more persons each of us paying Rs.20.00 to reach the Dyan Centre. (Distance of 7KM)
We reached the place, and went inside after entering our details at the gate. It took another 10 minutes walk to reach the office close to the cottage. (In the first photo, we are standing at the gate as we got down from the taxi.) This is the same place from where we got the bus to Coimbatore on 21-1-09.
We checked in: at 15.45 hrs
We were allotted a cottage, and given two I.D cards – to hang around our neck at all times till we checked out. This is to ensure our movements within the premises and safety.
The room is furnished with: Two single cots with mattress, a wardrobe, a table and tea table. One fan was available to be used in case needed to drive away the mosquitoes (as the climate inside was sufficiently warm.) The bath room had a bucket and mug, wash-basin and a W.C. with facility for hot water, besides a mirror above the wash basin. A pair of bathroom footwear, was also kept ready for use.
We unpacked all our things, placed them in the respective places, and quickly had our lunch. Then , we went out to see the area around (before sun-set).
I was wearing a pair of sports shoes (Birthday present to me by my son and daughter-in-law ,on 30-11-07.) I had to remove and keep it out frequently, as we were covering mostly the holy places where, wearing of foot-wear is not permitted. For this purpose, I carried the shoe tongue in my possession. We washed our foot, learned about the temple (where the Dyanalingam is kept) and prayed for all. (As you all know I never prayed for me ever but for all my kith and kin, flesh and blood)
Then we went to the canteen next door, and had filter coffee. Then we went into the open area, where The Guru was playing volley ball, with children of the Ashram. Here the ball was not lifted up by left hand and thrown by right hand, but just thrown above the net in such a way the ball crosses the net and fall on the other side to-be again thrown back the same way. NO BEATING AT ALL!
We sat on the way-side stone bench for a while. We were back in our cottage by 18.30 hrs. Then, time for dinner!!
I decided not to wear my shoes for the rest of the period of stay. This saved me from frequently removing and re-wearing it often. But I told Manni , to, use the pair of her foot-wear.
The dinner time is 7PM on all days, while the morning meal is at 10AM.There are only two meals provided by the Centre – free of charge to all guests and those working there.
I have to say that the food provided here is enough for a person to manage the intake for 24 hours. For me and Manni, the food was more than required and sumptuous in all respects. There is no onion, green chilly and just sufficient salt. We were happy about this type of meal.
This system reminded me of an old saying EAT TO LIVE and DON’T LIVE TO EAT!!??
Once again, we returned to our cottage by 19.30hrs.I was more than happy to live inside a place without T.V, radio, and noisy environment.
Since the bed time was 9PM, we were (self and Manni) re-calling our good old GOLDEN days (Days are still good only – even though there not much gold left!), where there was harmony among all my brothers and sisters, parents and in-laws and Out-laws. Memories ran thru’ our heart about my mother who should have come here – and such a trip would have extended her life.
Just to point out a fact: When we were inside the Dyanalingam area, inside a small pyramid (There are such locations around the hall for individuals to pray), we could forget everything about our material world, and were totally different in our thoughts. To be very honest, we did not know anything – mystique environment.
During that period of time, I was wondering why, some of my kith and kin were deadly against me, and was praying for their goodness and change of behavior. I was laughing to myself over many such artificial hurdles around me with barriers created by some of my kith and kin.
I could see my father, standing behind me, at all times. So went our time, till Sudhin called us to wish us HAPPY ANNIVERSARY –The first such wish for the next day – 21-01-2009. We spoke to him for while and retired to bed.
The only whispering was from mosquitoes which were being driven out by the draft from the ceiling fan, keeping us free of their bite.
We woke up by 5.30, (as usual), but did not get up till after another hour. Then, we completed the morning routines. I took a full shower, even though; I had to take one more before entering the THIRTHAM – the holy pond with under water mercury lingam.
The timing for taking holy dip inside this pond begins at 7.30 AM everyday. The timing for men is 7.30AM to 8.00AM. Then 8AM to 8.30 is for Ladies. This schedule is repeated till 7.30PM. On 21-1-09, I was the first person to take a dip and embrace the underwater lingam. The depth is only 5feet 6 inches. Water was very cold but was tolerable, as I already had yet another shower before entering the pond. I was happy and did not feel the coldness of water. (I used to take dip in the river Ganges where water is always very cold.)
Manni had to take help of another lady, as she could not stand with water slightly over her height. But managed to complete the dip and embracing the lingam.
After bath, we changed into new clothes, went to the dyanalingam area. We procured a small lamp bowl, with decoration of snake over its edge. The lamp is in the shape of the lingam and is at the centre of this brass bowl- very neat, clean and shining. We can offer, this kind of ghee lit lamp, Lotus flowers or Dhoop for offering to Dyanalingam.
We offered this en-lighting lamp and two lotus flowers on our wedding Anniversary. We once again confined to space for prayer – dhyan for the sake of all. We did not feel anything, no wavering thoughts, and nothing of any sort of feeling.
We came out, had coffee, and rested for 2o minutes. Then,we went for our first meal, of the day. We realized the day was also EKADASI. The meal included, chapattis, soaked ground nut without salt, vegetable salad, rice. Later we consumed SWEET DAL KANJI, BEING EKADASI. We felt that we were in the right place on the right day on right time unknowingly!
We purchased, prasadam – Two nos of Till balls (Ellu Urundai) and two books about the place and Guru.
Then, we checked out, at 11.30 hrs. We got bus route 14D (See the picture) to Coimbatore directly from the doorstep of the centre, and it took off at 12.05 hrs.
We reached Coimbatore railway station by 1.25PM. and took route 1C to Vadavalli. Procured news papers for the day as none was available in the Dhyan centre.
We reached home, by 14.00hrs.
So, came to close, our holy trip on our 32nd Wedding day.
Observations:
1. It is desirable that, only elderly / matured persons can take a trip to this place. The place does not encourage any kind of noise making activities including talking loudly, walking with noise making dress ,etc; (THIS PLACE IS NOT A TOURIST SPOT)
2. The place is certainly not for infants/ children, – unless they can leave in the care of some one while elders visit the lingam.
3. It is best if people come prepared with sufficient time to spend inside the Dhyanalingam area and do prayers.
4. We paid: Rs.525 for our cottage and other charges are: Holy dip Rs.10.00 per person, Lamp @100 per unit with ghee and thread, lotus @ Rs.5 per flower. Prasadam @5.00 per ellu urandi, Filter Coffee @ 10 per cup (slightly more than a railway coffee cup), Bus fare from Coimbatore is only Rs.6.50 per person.
5. While going for the shower and dip, must use only new Dothi / Maxi for ladies – provided by the centre. This is to ensure, that the pond is less contaminated with outside dust dirt etc; these clothing are kept ready and provided at no extra cost.
6. The very important requirement is come prepared for a different type of life.
7. The rule is SILENCE at all times.