Just one week after my stay in Mumbai I got again the chance to see an important place in India. All the blind children were 
sponsored a trip to Shirdi, a spiritual place for Sai Baba and the second most important temple in India.
We set off from the school n Saturday morning, staring with a “farewell procedure” which I basically had to perform. It meant among other things breaking a coconut and spilling its water on the bus, but also some sacred signs were painted on it and incense sticks burned. – it took us nearly seven hours to reach Shirdi and for me it was a surprise how calm and patient all of the students were. Although traveling in two buses there was not much space and comfort, but with singing Indian and (some) English songs, listening to music and few stops, time passed (and no one complained). Again and again slogans like “Jey sai nadki”, “Sai babaki” and others could be heard as well in the bus as on the temple complex. No matter who it cried, whether it was a small girl or an old man, it was always enthusiastically responded with “jey” by everybody, very often several times after another. I’ve never seen such a passion before.
After dinner all of us drove with the bus from our accommodation to the temple itsel. On a small stage the kids and two teachers presented a few religious songs. It was followed by a speech which introduced me to the crowd as well. Everything was fimed and photographed and appeared in the newspaper a few days later.and thus our group got a lot of attention.
Due to its importance and popularity the temple was as always very crowded. Fortunately we didn’t have to stand in the cue and got to all the important places in relatively little time. But although being treated differently than the other visitors there was a lot of rush and hurry and especially for me who doesn’t know a lot about Sai Baba (who is fur Hindus probably like Jesus for Christians), it was hard to find peace and the right spiritual mood.
The next day we traveled back, after having an interesting and uncommon night for me, sleeping close together on one room with approximately 50 girls and ladies. On our way we stopped in Saputara and the children got the chance to do some nice activities like a boat trip or a ride on a “rollercoaster”.
I stayed about four days with the blind and much more important than the trip to Shirdi was that it gave me the chance to get to know the kids better and improve our relationship. Unfortunately language is still the biggest barrier and sometimes avoids good communication and interaction. But at least I could help the staff and also do some teachings.
sponsored a trip to Shirdi, a spiritual place for Sai Baba and the second most important temple in India.We set off from the school n Saturday morning, staring with a “farewell procedure” which I basically had to perform. It meant among other things breaking a coconut and spilling its water on the bus, but also some sacred signs were painted on it and incense sticks burned. – it took us nearly seven hours to reach Shirdi and for me it was a surprise how calm and patient all of the students were. Although traveling in two buses there was not much space and comfort, but with singing Indian and (some) English songs, listening to music and few stops, time passed (and no one complained). Again and again slogans like “Jey sai nadki”, “Sai babaki” and others could be heard as well in the bus as on the temple complex. No matter who it cried, whether it was a small girl or an old man, it was always enthusiastically responded with “jey” by everybody, very often several times after another. I’ve never seen such a passion before.
After dinner all of us drove with the bus from our accommodation to the temple itsel. On a small stage the kids and two teachers presented a few religious songs. It was followed by a speech which introduced me to the crowd as well. Everything was fimed and photographed and appeared in the newspaper a few days later.and thus our group got a lot of attention.
Due to its importance and popularity the temple was as always very crowded. Fortunately we didn’t have to stand in the cue and got to all the important places in relatively little time. But although being treated differently than the other visitors there was a lot of rush and hurry and especially for me who doesn’t know a lot about Sai Baba (who is fur Hindus probably like Jesus for Christians), it was hard to find peace and the right spiritual mood.
The next day we traveled back, after having an interesting and uncommon night for me, sleeping close together on one room with approximately 50 girls and ladies. On our way we stopped in Saputara and the children got the chance to do some nice activities like a boat trip or a ride on a “rollercoaster”.
I stayed about four days with the blind and much more important than the trip to Shirdi was that it gave me the chance to get to know the kids better and improve our relationship. Unfortunately language is still the biggest barrier and sometimes avoids good communication and interaction. But at least I could help the staff and also do some teachings.
1 comment:
Hello. I am so glad for you that you had the opportunity to visit Shirdi. It is a great blessing to have visited Sai Baba's dwelling place. If you are ever in trouble or difficulty saying his name will protect you.
Are you still in India? It is my home country, although I live in England now.
Take care,
Shaista
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