I had to go
Tirtharaj Prayag with family to immerse Asthi of my grandparents in Ganges. I
was inquiring and gathering information before leaving Puri. Tickets were
booked and mean time my Father in law gave a contact of a person from Allahabad
who happens to got married in the same village and I came to know he married a
widow having a son who was 6 years old then, that person in fact a Panda-local
priest who does all the puja and rituals in Prayag ghat. I found this would be
of great help, if you have anybody known and the family has a close connection
with my in laws house.
On arrival
at Allahabad both the lady and her son who is now twenty years, came to receive
us at station, then we all proceed to the Lodge and the next day planning was
to go to Triveni sangam for Sradha and to perform rituals. The boy Guddu was a
nice and friendly boy, mingled with us within few minutes and that Lady was
really very kind and polite to us. She first took us to her House, which is
situated very near to Ganga Ghat, upon arriving we met her Mother in Law aged
about eighty years old and her two beautiful daughters. They all welcomed us
very warmly as if we are very close to them and after the breakfast, we visited
Ganges accompanied by his son.
All the
rituals at Triveni Sangam performed done by Sharmaji and we have absolutely a
hassle free task done, as generally, there is a doubt and kind of fear in
everybody’s mind at least that Panda will cheat. Being hailed from Puri, I had
no problems and qualms dealing with any Panda. Then we all came to their house
and had very delicious lunch. The most attraction was the “Dal” in the Menu.
Really, I cannot ever forget the Dal in my life time. I, my wife, my mother and
my daughter were all happy with their hospitality. We spent a very memorable
time with them. The entire family came to see off and we boarded the train.
Train
proceeded but Sharma family was still there in our mind. I was personally
really so happy and teased my Wife that you can never make that “Dal” and
overwhelmingly said to my Mother that you also cannot make this kind of “Dal”
ever. We talked about them for hours, my wife revealed a matter which shocked me
most.
The matter
was this Family from Allahabad and my Father in law family have a long time
animosity since forty years, when the Father of that lady was alive and they
have land dispute, case is pending in high court and in a regular interval this
lady the lone survivor used to come to court for appearing. This case is under
trial. I was literally shocked knowing that how come a person can be so
generous and hospitable in such condition. I could not even feel a bit of
uneasiness or qualms with the couple; they were so generous and hospitable.
There was no sign of animosity either in their words or deeds. I was so
impressed and healed to know all these things on our departure. This is perhaps
the best instance of “Atithi Devo Bhava” .
God bless them.
