Heroes of the Himalayas.
Mahavtaar Babaji‘s presence in chennai !
Past one year from October 2022 till now ( September 2023) I have believed & also experienced that whenever the time is ripe , I will be made to reach a certain stage in spirituality by that divine grace . But never knew when , how and in what manner . I have kept myself open to receive the cues from the divine since December 2021 , ever since I received the rudraksh in vajreshwari mata temple near Ganeshpuri.
Most of the times when I am in Satsangh of like minded spiritually inclined people I have received the cues from the divine . But sometimes the grace is showered and the message of the divine comes from the least expected places & people as well .
Such an incident occurred in chennai , when I was there for the Royal Enfield bullet 350 launch at the Vallam vadagal factory . On 1st September after getting into an early morning flight , I checked in into the lavish Sheraton grand hotel room in Chennai , all this , sponsored by Royal enfield & the grace of Mahalaxmi . Because I had a free leisure day ahead of me , I relaxed did my yoga and sadhana in the very positive east west facing room. During my kriya somehow I felt Mahavtar Babaji’s presence in my room .
After that I got ready to meet the RE management team and also got an opportunity to meet the CEO & MD of Royal Enfield Siddharth Lal , first time in person .
At the dinner , somehow I had interaction with some individuals aka influencers with a leftist ideologies & thought process that supports the invaders ( like gazhni : who plundered our somnath jyotirlinga 17times : stating that he just wanted to loot the gold , there was no interest of his in religious conversions, but according to this person aka historian , today’s bjp government is using this history and is turning it into a false narrative, leading to communal unrest between two religions) .Hearing this I was really disheartened about how communist people are spreading false propagandas in the name of history. I couldn’t confront this person , since I don’t have proper knowledge about history but did have such facts about history registered in my brain box thanks to yatin , My husband who reads history and is thoroughly informed about the history of the invaders . I wish he was there with me here . So I decided not to indulge in any sort of confrontation .
I retired for the day ,with the thought that in this materialistic world full of people enveloped in the 5 senses , I will not find a satsangh: especially at such Royal Enfield event . With this thought I slept and next day we all visited the Vallam RE plant . On my way in the car , I had the company of Mr. Manish mishra , who had great knowledge about Ram charit manas and I immediately connected with him on this spirituality platform. We started talking about Neem karoli baba and his ashram in Farrukhabad which I never knew about earlier . I felt choked and was overwhelmed at the entrance of the RE plant . I felt as if Baba made me & Manish mishraji meet for a reason , which we mortals think happens by chance . I had tears in my eyes and wanted to touch his feet and the RE crew started looking at us . I know I gathered some unwanted attention out there by getting emotional.
After the visit to the plant , on my return to the hotel , I had two young chaps Ribhu Chatterjee & Archit Mittal . We started chatting about politics and didn’t understand when our discussion turned towards spirituality, yog and the divine . Archit asked me whether I knew about Sri M ( my guru now ) and about MAHAVTAAR BABAJI . That came like a surprise to me and I thought , May be Babaji was trying to give me some cue via this mention coming from an absolute stranger with whom I am meeting & talking for the first time . Archit had read paramhansa Yogananda’s Autobiography of a yogi partially. Just like me ( half book ) .
The next day I wanted to wake up very early and planned to ride the new bullet 350 to Pulicat lake north of chennai & visit the Dutch cemetery.
So I slept early at 10:30 pm , woke up at 3:30 am ish and opened google maps to just see the timings of the places of interest . I realised that Dutch cemetery was closed on Sunday’s , so it was no use riding to Pulicat lake either on that day . Suddenly on google maps a recommendation of a temple of MAHAVATAAR BABAJI popped up on my screen . I myself didn’t know when had I star marked it . I have a habit of star marking places of interest that I would love to visit some day by divine’s will . I thought it’s a message of Babaji to come visit here . It looked like a private property which was located on the way between the Vallam vadagal factory & Oragadam factory of Royal Enfield. This fact sealed the deal finally since I was here to create content around chennai for the bullet 350 .
I slept for another 40 minutes and got ready to leave for Babaji’s darshan in chennai at dawn .
My ride was smooth and when I reached the temple , I experienced a different calmness around this place surrounded by greenery and within me . I stood at a metal gate , and saw a Tamil man walking towards me . I just said , “mahavtaar Babaji temple” and he asked me to enter and provided parking space for my bullet 350 . I followed him and he pointed to the temple . There were 3-4 cows outside the temple . I removed my shoes and as I was about to enter , a super friendly dog came to me and started licking my hand and waging his tail in happiness . He entered with me inside the temple .
The young dog greeted me so well as if he knew me since ages . There were photos of MAHAVTAAR BABAJI , LahiriMahashaya, , Shri Yukteshwar Giri & Paramhansa Yogananda in the centre . Below these there was a small idol of MAHAVTAAR BABAJI in black stone . In front of the idol there was a spear head shaped stone with Vibhuti on it . I felt as if the stone must have been from Kailash ( I don’t know this , but I got that vibe and thought , but there is no way to know as of now , if that’s true ) .
There were also photos of Shri krishna and Jesus & another photo of Babaji on either sides of the centre altar . I switched on the lights there and sat for meditation for sometime . While meditating I got this feeling as if Babaji is watching me from a window on the side . I continued and later after I was done , when I turned behind , the young dog was sitting calmly at a distance near the entrance . He sat like a Nandi in front of shiva . I was exactly in the centre in line between Babaji’s photo & the dog .
When I got up even the young dog got up , I saw a show case in the temple , inside which there were some books & A2 size photos of Babaji . I decided to take one back home as BABAJI’s prasad. I put camphor and lit it in the Arti there and did my archana to Babaji . Thanking him for all the grace . While stepping out of the temple there was another adult dog who joined me, so me and the two dogs took pradakshina of the temple . There was a nice Parijaat ( Prajakta/ shivli) tree and I took some flowers fallen down and offered it to Babaji . One more circumambulation and the dogs followed me again . They both started playing , while I went to the Tamil care taker family’s home nearby. The lady there could speak only Tamil . So I told her I am from MUMBAI , MAHARASHTRA & I speak English and Hindi & conveyed to her through sign language that I need a photo of MAHAVTAAR BABAJI from that showcase inside the temple .
She got a photo for me & asked me if I wanted another one. So I thought let me take one more for Archit Mittal whom I had met yesterday. The lady rolled up two Photos with a rubber band on. I continued my ride from here exploring around chennai visiting an ancient kapaleeshwarar temple and all india Sai samaj temple of Sai baba . Then I returned to my hotel room. I opened both the photos , packed one into my backpack and gave the other to Archit. He was very happy after receiving Babaji’s picture!
I returned back to MUMBAI that night via late night Sunday flight . As usual Monday was busy for me at the clinic . Tuesday evening I thought let me take Babaji’s photo to clinic & frame it in clinic . I removed the photo kept under some cardboard and envelope weights and lo! What I saw was unbelievable.
There were two photos of MAHAVTAAR BABAJI . I significantly remember the lady had given me two photos , first one and then she went and got a second one on my request. Later I checked them in my hotel room and when I handed one photo to Archit I told him that I got two photos ; one for myself and one for you , since we both had that connect and chat about Babaji in the cab . He deserved to receive one prasad of Babaji . He had read Sri M ‘s autobiography as well . So I knew it was Babaji who connected us .
It was a pleasant surprise for me as I was so sure that there were only two photos in Chennai . And I thought to myself ,that time after leaving the temple , “ I should have asked for one more photo a third photo !”
And here I was sitting in my home with two photos of MAHAVTAAR BABAJI . My rational mind still wasn’t believing what I saw !
DATTATREYA YANTRA SADHANA
Guru Dattatreya is the incarnation of Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma and the son of great sage Atri and Devi Anusuya. There is a belief that Lord Dattatreya is present everywhere. Those who worship him will benefit from intelligence, wisdom, and power.
According to Hindu belief, Dattatreya represents the triad of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva combined in one person. The word Dattatreya has formed with two words, Datta means (Given) and Atreya means (Son of Rishi Atri). Dattatreya was born to Anusuya and Atri, the holy couple. As a Hindu triad of three gods, his identity is symbolized by three heads expressing his unity with Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Dattatreya is the culmination of all gods, prophets, saints, and yogis.
There is only one Yantra in the Dutta Sampradaya, which is the Shri Datta Yantra. It is a powerful and highly revered Yantra. The Shri Dattatreya Yantra promotes prosperity, knowledge, and wealth. Three heads have been crafted on Dattatreya Yantra, indicating the three states of consciousness: waking, awakeness, and sleep without dreaming.
Sitting in meditation, he poses with his shakti beneath the Audumbara (wish-fulfilling) tree. In the pictures, he has been portrayed as sitting before a fire pit and is encircled by four dogs. There is a belief that these four dogs are a symbol for the four Vedas.
Special features of the Dattatreya Yantra
Datta Yantra releases you from the ill effects of evil energies. The yantra generates enormous amounts of positive vibrations helping in fighting against evil forces. With the power of the Dattatreya yantra and with the blessings of Guru, you can achieve your desired goals.
With your daily prayers, this Yantra will keep you in good health and repel evil forces from harming you.
Dattatreya Yantra: How to Use it?
As astronomical conductors of energy, Yantras, a very integral asset for concordance, achievement, prosperity, yoga, and reflection!
A yantra is composed of geometric patterns. Focusing the eyes and mind on the centre of the yantra will allow a person to achieve a higher level of consciousness. Copper is often used to make Yantras.
- Put the Yantra on a clean and sacred altar facing the East or North.
- Keep the Yantra away from other people. This should be washed with milk or rose water periodically. Afterwards, wipe it dry with a cloth. A Yantra’s colour may change over time, but this does not diminish its power.
- Apply small dots of sandalwood paste around the Yantra’s corners and centre.
- Traditionally, incense sticks and candles should be lit in front of the Yantra. Fresh or dried fruits can also be given as prasad.
- Recite the Dattatreya Yantra Mantra preferably after taking a bath.
The Dattatreya Yantra revitalises the lives of:
- People are facing the adverse effect of evil forces.
- People who aim to succeed in every aspect of their lives
- People who are affected by ill forces
- People who want protection from the ill wishes of others
- Those who are struggling to cope with challenges in life
- People who wish to develop in a more positive way
- Those who want to strengthen themselves so they can help others
Poweful Mantras for Dattatreya Yantra
“Om Dram Dattatriya Siva Baba Namaha”
Recite the above mantra 108 times daily.
The most Sacred Dattatreya mantra
“Shri Gurudev Datta”
Meaning:
In Hinduism, the figure of Dattatreya represents prosperity and luck. Gurdev identifies the Lord as the master of the universe as a whole. Shiva, Brahma, and Vishnu are all formed in Datta.
One of the most commonly used Dattatreya mantras
‘Digambara Digambara Shrīpad Vallabh Digambara’
Meaning:
The Lord has beautiful feet and adorns himself with the dress of the universe. Whenever he wanders, he brings joy and fulfilment to the universe with extreme beauty and light.
Guru Datta Mantra
“Hari Om Tat Sat Jai Guru Datta”
Meaning:
Lord Dattatreya is the ruler of the whole universe, and he is the true essence.
Why is it essential to recite the Dattatreya mantra?
Pitrudosh or Pitra Shaap allude to the issues that bring about in life because of hereditary condemnations. Most individuals brought into the world on this planet experience due to pitrudosh in some structure or the other.
Pitrus are the spirits of the left precursors from our families, who are stuck in the centre world called Martyuloka and Bhuvarloka. A portion of the impacts of Pitru dosh incorporates shortfall of descendants, failure to get married, disharmony in day to day life, the birth of untimely infants, and so on.
Reciting the Dattatreya mantra is a proven method to get away from the evil impacts of Pitru dosh in our lives.
The most effective method to recite the Dattatreya mantra
• Dattatreya mantra recitation amount depends on the severity of the genealogical revile against the existence of people.
• Start the mantra “Shri Gurudev Datta” and serenade it for around 30 minutes every day. Slowly increment the tally to cover 2 hours every day through the spending days.
• If you are experiencing issues in life, recite the mantra for 45 minutes during the beginning and afterwards increase it to around 4 hours day by day.
• If you experience negative issues because of Pitru dosh, do Narayana Nagbali, Nagbali, Kalsharp Shanti and Tripindi Shradha alongside the recitation of this Dattatreya Yantra mantra.
Benefits of the Dattatreya mantra
Chanting the Dattatreya mantra is a form of protection around the worshipper, shielding him from harm caused by his predecessors. As you recite this mantra, the effects of Pitrudosh and Pitru Shaap eventually diminish.
• Dattatreya mantra can soothe the spirits of predecessors that are struck on some brilliant planes and lead them on their excursions to paradise. Since these spirits can’t help themselves, we can help them by reciting the mantra to benefit while remaining on the earth.
• Since Lord Dattatreya is the amalgamation of Lord Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva – the Hindu trinity, this structure is an exceptionally amazing one in gifting the lovers with wealth, flourishing and bliss. Reciting this mantra can help in achieving every one of the longings of a person.
Ruler Dattatreya is the manifestation of Lord Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva in one single structure. Here is an assortment of Lord Dattatreya mantras that can assist aficionados with achieving everything without exception throughout everyday life.
Shree Dattatreya Yantra Benefits
- The presence of Dattatreya Yantra gives security from negative energies and fears.
- It gives amicability, achievement and profound advancement.
- There has been an assertion that reverence of this sacred device upgrades discourse and certainty.
- It likewise gives alleviation from pitrushrapa.
Placement For Dattatreya Mahasiddhi Yantra
Shree Dattatreya Yantra or Dattatreya Mahasiddhi Yantra stimulates the area where it is placed. Accordingly, you should keep it close to the passage of your office, shop, home or in your lounge area, sitting room, study room and even office reception. You may keep the Dattatreya Yantra-Copper on a table or use it as a wall decoration.
The best spot to keep this Maha Siddha Shree Dattatreya Yantra is the East way pointing toward the West. It gets stimulated by the heavenly vibrations of the East corner and rising beams of the Sun and give positive change energies to the residence through the supernatural calculation of Dattatreya Yantra.
Ritualistic worship of the Dattatreya Yantra
– Before beginning Dattatreya Yantra Puja or Shree Dattatreya Yantra Puja, you should clean your body and start with a positive and clear outlook.
– Find a quiet place where you won’t be interrupted while you perform this ritual.
– Now light the incense stick and an oil/ghee Diya.
– Put some new flowers, fruits and dry fruits on the altar where you will perform Datta yantra puja rituals.
– Now unwrap the Dattatreya Yantra and place it close by the image of the Divine.
– Take water with a leaf and sprinkle it on yourself, as well as the sacred instrument.
Invoke the Dattatreya Yantra Mantra and dedicate yourself to God.
– Close your eyes and visualise the godlikeness supporting you with wishes.
The miracle of Gowlia tank Sai baba .
SMARAN :
I am a staunch believer of the fact that when you just think about Sai , somehow Sai reaches out to you through some medium , be it another Sai devotee , some signs via signboards or mention of Sai , Sainath mantra or his picture on some vehicles like tempos , autorickshaws etc . I am saying so since I have been experiencing this on regular basis .
In the month of June 2022, came my Old patient Rashna Iyer . She had messaged me a week before asking for an appointment since she was on her way to Shirdi and her tooth started hurting . When she returned back from Shirdi , she got Sai baba’s prasad for me . Before this visit , never ever did we exchange any conversations about Sai. But this time I somehow I told her about some of my past experiences with Sai baba and told her that I have to give her a Sai baba led plug lamp that I had kept for another patient & Sai devotee Shankar , who did not turn up past 3-4 months . Shankar was the one who had introduced me to Sat Sai charitram and insisted I buy it on Amazon earlier in December 2021 just few days before Datta Jayanthi in December 2021. After which I had done the Sat Sai charitram parayan in February 2022 and after the completion I gave these Sai led lamp plugs to 11 people . But 1 plug still remained with me , since shanker never came to clinic or met me either . So I gave this to Rashna . She was extremely happy and said that she had got no time to buy some souvenir of baba in Shirdi as it was a super fast darshan and trip back to Mumbai from Shirdi . Therefore her wish was completed through me by baba in this manner .
After this she narrated to me an incident of her life which changed her totally and ingrained in her soul , Sai baba’s faith .
Rashna’s husband died suddenly very young in his 30’s , while their two boys were very young around 4 & 8 yrs old respectively in the 90,s . Her whole world shattered and collapsed like a house of cards with this tragedy at the age of 27 . Just a few months had passed by after the demise of her husband that , her very good friend asked Rashna to come along with her and visit a Sai baba’s temple in town near Govalia tank in south Bombay. Rashna was very depressed and in no mood to go anywhere. She has lost interest in the external world and still had not recovered from this deep loss . Her friend also invited rashna’s sister and her kids to come along for this darshan . They both insisted and Rashna agreed . In fact Rashna was angry with god and had a lot of questions for the divine with respect to such tragic turn of events in her happy life . When they reached Sai baba’s temple near govalia tank , after taking the darshan of baba rashna’s friend gave the Prasad to all of them . In this temple the Prasad is kept wrapped in newspapers in the form of a “pudi”, for devotees to take away . So her friend picked a few of these , placed on one Rashna’s hand , another she gave to Rashna’s sister and gave away two to the kids . Rashna very uninterestingly took the Prasad pudi and came back home . In her Marol flat , she simply entered and kept the pudi on the dining table without even opening it to taste the Prasad . She switched on the tv , but just did not have the interest to watch anything . But after sometime she realised that she saw Sai baba coming in and out on the channel which was currently playing on the television. It was some serial or advertisement of some Sai baba’s serial flashing on that channel . She thought may be Sai baba was reminding her to go and have the Prasad . So she just said to Sai , “ ok baba , if you really want me to go and have that Prasad , I will go and have it , but why did you do this to me ? And how am I supposed to gather my disintegrated life ? How do I raise my tiny boys all alone with their father ?” Rashna opened the newspaper Prasad pudi with agitation and to her surprise she found her husband’s obituary inside that newspaper piece which was given a few months back . She just sat there and cried so hard and asked Baba for forgiveness. The all knowing & the all pervading Sai baba had given Rashna the assurance that “ don’t worry child , I am there with you . I have got your back !”
Rashna today has raised her two son’s so well , such that both her sons are in the USA and Canada respectively and are doing very well . She single handedly provided good education to them and is also an independent lady still working till date . Her faith in baba is truly an epitome of faith , patience and courage , that baba always wants us to inculcate in ourselves !
Baba’s ways are miraculously abstract . He is always there with us walking us through the tough times , just like a father or mother would patiently walk along and teach a child to learn how to walk . Each fall of the baby ,baba picks us up and walks along with us holding our hand until we get back on our feet and become good at it & confidently walk all alone .
I narrated Rashna’s story to my husband and we decided to go visit govalia tank Sai baba that very same weekend. At the back of my mind , I had this urge to receive some kind of message from Sai baba after visiting this temple . And hence baba had connected me and Rashna. The shrine was in inside a very old heritage building named Sai Krupa on Forjet street, was more than 100 yrs old . I had taken some flowers from my home garden to offer to baba . We also took a flower garland from outside the shrine .There was only one flower seller there . When we entered inside the shrine there were a different mystical vibe to this place . The idol of Sai baba was so life like that it felt as if baba is sitting there in person like a statue . The pujari there told us that baba’s facial expressions keep changing at different times. The shrine was built by a devotee who lived in this place which was converted into a Sai baba shrine later . He had met Sai baba in person in the early 1900s.
We offered our incense sticks , flowers and tulsi to baba’s padukas, and while leaving the Pujari gave a Prasad pudi to my husband Yatin . I had not seen this and understood this when we were walking towards our car . I immediately opened the Prasad pudi to find a message of Sai baba relevant to our life situation.
Baba is listening always ! You don’t have to call out his name in vaikhari . Simply remembering him through Madhyama is more than enough for him to guide you in life . He just wants our love with faith and Sai baba loves you back .
Om Sai Ram
Om draam dattatreyaya Namaha
Om Namaha shivaya
Om shri gurubhyo Namaha
I am updating this blog , since on 1st January, 2023 I visited Gowalia tank Sai baba once again .
We took darshan after visiting girgaon Phadke wadi Ganesh mandir and Swami ‘s kandewadi mutth. This time the prasad pudi that I received , seems to have no message. My five senses were expecting a miracle again . But alas I couldn’t decipher or decode anything, even if there was any message in that newspaper pudi .
After this darshan visit , I retained the prasad pudi paper in my small sling purse . On the auspicious day of Makar Sankranti day around 12th ,13th , 14th January 2023 , I got the opportunity of visiting Kolhapur for a Satsang and took darshan of Ambabai Devi Mahalaxmi. A local vendor told me about the Devi’s Kumkum to be taken back home as her blessing . And lo! I had nothing to carry that Kumkum except for this Sai prasad pudi paper which I removed from that sling purse . I collected the Kumkum in that pudi paper and got it back home to MUMBAI .
I opened that pudi paper to empty the Kumkum into the tiny silver box which Mrs. Kamat had given me last year in July 2022 after my Amarnath yatra ride ( refer my another Sai baba blog : ek chutki sindoor ) . When I opened the paper I suddenly noticed the date on the same : “Saturday, 5th November, 2022”
That was the same day me and yatin had left for Girnar , Karthik Poornima Parikrama .
Shree gurudev Datta
Om Sai Ram .
What was significant about this day , was that just one day prior leaving for Girnar, I was suffering from severe back ache and tremendous discomfort and pain in the spine and was almost on the verge of cancelling my tickets . But I prayed to lord Dattatreya , to please make me do this Parikrama anyhow & it was a miracle that I did the 38 kms overnight tough Girnar Parikrama with the Grace of Sai baba , the incarnation of lord Dattatreya himself!
Last year I suffered from sciatica on the left side and was in pain from 8th OCTOBER 2022 till Makar Sankranti of 2023 . These three months were testing times and retrospectively Sai baba made me understand his leela after Makar Sankranti and thereafter my pain vanished .
Sai baba always has our back ( for me it’s in the literal sense 😊🙏)
Jai Jai Sai 🙏
Protected: Green signal for Sanyas at the Nagnath mandir
Sai Leela at grand peninsula,Saki naka
One day before Ram Navami on Saturday 9th April , 2022 , I was sitting outside my dental clinic in the building. Since there was painting work started that day in my clinic , I was sitting there and had plans of writing some WordPress blogs & reading a new book of neem karoli baba that I had purchased two weeks back .
In sometime I checked my WhatsApp message and realised a person with whom I haven’t spoken or connected past 11yrs had messaged me . This person was Sourav Bhattacharya , a creative designer who had designed my clinic “Smilestone dental car centre’s “ creatives for vCards , introductory Pamplets, etc using my clinic logo in 2011 when I opened my clinic .
I was pleasantly surprised by his message since he invited me & my spouse to meet 126 yrs old Swami Sivananda from Benaras , who had received the prestigious Padmashri award by the president Ramnath Kovind , that too last month on 21st March 2022.
Continue reading “Sai Leela at grand peninsula,Saki naka”
Indo pak border k Bhediya bet nu Hanuman dada!
Indian Army + divine supernatural intervention + my visit to the border = an interesting fable or a tale in my riding journey.( just like my past accounts of interaction with the army )
On my ride to Kutch with the Bajaj Dominar team in march 2022, we visited the BHEDIYA BET HANUMAN DADA NU MANDIR located in Vighakot at the Indo Pakistan border .
The story goes way back to the 1971 indo pak war , where Indian Border security forces re established our Indian side border and when they had driven the Pakistani soldier into their side at Hanuman talai , one of the BSF soldiers dreamt of Hanumanji asking him to take him back with them , as no one took care of him here in Pakistan. So the jawan reported to his senior and told him about this dream .They knew that there was an abandoned Hanuman temple at hanuman talai and he agreed to take idol of hanuman with their camel cavalry to India .
As the cavalry was returning they halted at bhediya bet for the night and planned to start the next day to Bhuj in order to establish the hanumanji temple with this idol there .
The next day morning the BSF jawans tried to lift the hanumanji idol , but they couldn’t move it at all and seemed to be very heavy or fixed . They took this as a sign that Hanuman dada did not want to go anywhere else and wished to stay there in bhediya bet itself.
Thereafter the protector diety was worshipped here itself each day regularly by the BSF , as the army built a small temple around the diety .
I am truly blessed to visit this temple at the Indo pak border , just like a few others in the past . Such similar accounts of Divine supernatural interventions by the protector diety especially at the Indo pak border are narrated by the Indian army at Kargil : plateaunath baba, tanot mata mandir at longewala Jaisalmer & karni mata mandir near Bikaner ,as these occurrences happened whenever the Pakistan bombed our Indian side .
As far as the current story is concerned, the temple pictures couldn’t be taken , since entry in vighakot is only after the permits are issued . We had to deposit our phones , cameras at the check post , hence only the signboards for vighakot is all you can see.
BHARAT MATA KI JAI
Jai Hanuman
Jai Bajrangbali
A sevak of the birds 🦅 : Sevaraam.
Khichan bird
Tadgola ,toddy and talli !
After constant riding each day in the peak summer heat since 25th may , 2017, from Mumbai ,MAHARASHTRA into Goa & Karnataka ,we had got tremendous relief in the form of Kerala rains . But we again started craving for some sun after getting soaked , drenched by the heavy monsoon bombardment out there . Tamilnadu at last welcomed us with intermittent cloud cover, rain and sufficient sunshine ! That state ride was all about ” A Balanced Weather”.We enjoyed each kind of climatic condition . Again as we went higher from Tamil Nadu into Andhra Pradesh the temperatures started soaring . Craving for Coconut water increased thereafter . But I saw lots and lots of trees of Tadgola (a kind of palm ) also known as doub palm, palmyra palm, tala palm, toddy palm or wine palm. It is the younger kalpavriksha brother of Coconut ! 😉
The Tadgola trees were widespread across the east coast of India , similar to coconut trees in vast majority in our west coast . Tender coconut water is a staple diet for me thanks to cycling . It’s my quick fix to dehydration and potassium source better than any sports drink or oral rehydration solution in the world . But couldn’t find much of coconuts in Andhra . So me and my fellow rider Nikita at last stopped at a road side heap of Tadgolas sold by a woman . Most of the times a stall owned by men attracted a crowd full of men which in turn led us lady riders to gain unwanted attention and men standing around our motorcycles observing us as if we are aliens. So a lady selling Tadgolas was anytime the first choice for a ride break .
I stopped next to her pile of Tadgolas,which startled her . I am sure I scared her since she had her one eyebrow raised until I removed my helmet & then a smile bloomed on her face when she realised that were were girls dressed like macho men on the machines .The Tadgolas were dirt cheap two for 10 rupees . While savouring this translucent jelly fruit, I happened to see some frothy liquid next to her stored in a aluminium pot . I assumed it was fresh buttermilk . So I asked her is it buttermilk and I am sure she didn’t understand my question but answered that it was tadi (toddy) . On enquiring about its sale , she said u can have it . I immediately merrily popped out my one litre water thermos from the motorcycle . She emptied all the water into her water flask and filled my thermos with one litre of toddy for 50 rupees.
The lady was happy about selling us her toddy and opened up further more . I asked her if I could take her pictures and she said yes . She was glad to pose with us for a selfie and also requested to have a look at the pictures of her that I had clicked . I asked her , ” Dont you feel hot sitting in this terrible sun ?”. She said , she does it so that she has her little earning . The police come & prohibit her from sitting at the roadside to sell the Tadgolas and instead ask her to sit in the farm (behind). But she says she needs visibility to sell the Tadgolas . So there is no option than to sit in the sun since she gets the desired customer visibility & hence the sale is achieved .
I enquired about the process of retrieving tadi . She told me that tadi /toddy is the Tadgola tree sap which is removed post sunset and before the sun rises from the stem . The sap drops into the hung vessel so slowly that in one sesssion post sunset until sunrise only 2-3litres of toddy is retrieved . Her husband climbs the tree and hangs the vesssel on the palm bark . I guess this is one tedious job to retrieve this elixir . The early morning sap is an energy drink , which we call as Neera (in Marathi ) , but as the sun rises and this energy drink is exposed to sunlight , it starts getting fermented . The fermentation process causes it to create a frothy layer on top throughout the morning to evening sun exposure . This turns the energy drink into an alcohol 🙂. 
I had now purchased this alcohol on the national highway from a lady while on a ride & filled one litre of toddy in my water thermos . We girls were excited to have this drink after the end of the day’s ride . Once we reached at our hotel in vijaywada , I chilled the drink in the hotel room fridge for couple of hours . I was very patient since I wanted to relish the drink . Few of us riders went sightseeing to undavalli caves in vijaywada. After coming back from this wonderful visit, I opened the thermos . The thermos cover popped up like a champagne cork . That gave me an idea about how well the toddy had fermented and I was sure I am going to relish having this desi drink .
We girls enjoyed our drinks and I knew for whom I was raising my toast . It was indeed cheers to this hardworking independent lady who was doing her job sitting in this harsh sun on the national highway ,inspite of the police troubling her. She was indeed doing a great job quenching the thirst of tired travellers of the modern world . 
A nomadic Dentist on a Royal Enfield 