FIRST DIVINE EXPERIENCE AND SOME MORE!

II Om Gajanan Jai Gajanan II

Dear Friends, today is Thursday, auspicious day for the Saints, saints like Gajanan Maharaj, Sai Baba, Swami Samarth et al. Yes, I had described briefly about the Saint Gajanan Maharaj, Shegaon and the holy temple, though I agree this brevity took 3 chapters or blogs of mine. However, friends, even you would do the same after experiencing his holiness and divinity. Now, without wasting time let me get to the purpose which I started the blog.

As I mentioned earlier, that when I got the posting to Sangrampur Branch, I was very heavy hearted and did not want to leave my earlier place, however as they somethings happen for good, this was one of them. However, in Chikhli itself I had heard about the Saint and Shegaon, so, the first thing I did before joining my Branch was to visit Saint Gajanan Maharaj's temple and seek his blessings and friends let me tell you, that was the best thing I did ever. His love and affection is fathomless and I thank him for the same, perhaps, I can say that on behalf of all the devotees.

Now, without wasting time let me get to the divine experiences and miracles. Friends, someone learned man has said correctly that food, clothing and shelter are indeed basic needs. So, for the first two weeks I was staying in a lodge nearby to temple and used have my breakfast and dinner at the temple mess. The food especially rice was very delicious and I personally like the devotees thronging around it like bees near nectar filled flower. Also hailing from Mumbai I used to get homesick at that movement seeing so many people from different parts of the country made me happy and I could overcome the periodic home sickness. On week ends I would go for house hunting but found nothing close to heart which I could call my home. In the evening I would sometimes visit the temple of Gajanan Maharaj or would just sit in the front courtyard and admire the congregation of humanity, occasionally I would get a glimpse of Temple's elephant which used mingle well with people, the whole experience was amazing.

After searching many homes I was not satisfied and I could not afford to pay the lodge rent everyday. Suddenly one morning Deepak my branch's canteen boy (He was not just a canteen boy but heart of the Branch, a very dedicated fellow and great helpful guy to be with) visited my lodge and told me that he wants to show me a house, so off we went and he took through many lanes and finally we enterd the house. The house was on the first floor and the owner was Shegaon Branch's Guard and an ex army man. The house was indeed beautiful and by local standards it was way better well ventilated and had a huge backyard with a wonderful view something like a large balcony! I imagined my family standing at the backyard by the beautiful view. Thats it! I made my decision and told Deepak that I would like to rent and then we spoke Shri.Dhumale the owner who was more than happy to lend. And the very same evening I shifted from the lodge to this beautiful house which will be my home for rest 2.5 years filled with beautiful memories with lovely and affectionate people. For the skeptics this was mere co-incidence but for many including me, it indeed is a 'miracle', a 'divine intervention', maybe Gajanan Maharaj took pity on me and helped me, by keeping me close to him. i am grateful to his holiness, to my parents and to this day to Deepak and the Shri.Dhumale and his family, who have become our extended family and they all graced  with their presence in  my wedding. This connects me to the next miracle which I have mentioned in the following paragraph.

My father being a very ritualistic and spiritual person suggested a date for housewarming with boiling of milk in this new home. In fact I would like add that me and my cousin were seeing each other and were deeply in love (well its a norm in southern India for cousins to get married), after many years, our family slowly acknowledged and my cousin's father who happens to be my maternal uncle asked my date and other details for Horoscope match known as kundli match. (In India parents invariably look for horoscope match between girl and boy to predict the compatibility, even if its love marriage. Though some people changing this trend believe purely in compatibility alone). It made both of us anxious, me more though I was happy that my uncle is slowly accepting me. Tense, I visited Gajanan Maharaj and asked for his blessings and promised  that I shall break a coconut if all works well. So, coming to the point the my father finally after consulting gave me a nod for housewarming and the day co-incidently was on Thursday. So, in the morning I did all the prayers and kept the milk for boiling and  the milk boiled well, which is a auspicious sign. Now, the miracle, after this I left for my Branch and in the Branch my cousin who is now by the Grace of Maharaj and our Parents' blessings is my loving wife, that our horoscope matched and its an auspicious sign! This news made me very happy and the very evening I went to temple and took divine darshan of Gajanan Maharaj and his blessings, thanking him profusely, being Thursday Maharaj's palkhi (palanquin) was placed at the courtyard, touched it and felt blessed and as promised offered one coconut. It was indeed one of my happiest moments and day in my life. May his blessings shower more such days to all and everybody be happy together. 

Now, dear friends the above too are indeed 'miracles'! For believers it is indeed. Only some people would understand these miracles,  ask some sincere lovers and they would vouch for it, ask some person looking for a decent home for his family and they would vouch for it. Shree Gajanan Maharaj's love is for all and believe in him and in yourself and see the miracles unfolding. Dear friends, I am sure you must have experienced too, you may be from any religion, no bindings, so please in the comments section share your divine experiences and miracles.