Friday, May 31, 2013

Somnath Darshan -Pt 2

After Somnath temple Darshan. We went to Old Somnath Temple it is half temple above the ground level and half underground. At both the place Shivling is established. we went there. Pujaris were asking to take them with you for Puja. We did not took any Pujari with us. Went in the temple underground and prayed the God and returned with another way of very narrow stairs. Up there we worshiped second Shivaling and returned back.
(Click on photo to see big picture)
Old Somnath Temple
Sun Set

We decided to enjoy the evening and go to the sea beach which we were looking from the Temple. It is near to temple. We moved on foot towards the beach. We saw many small temporary shops of Chinese Toys, Coconut and its Water, some food shops, Bhutta shops, etc. Many people were going towards sea beach. There were Camels for riding. We took two Camels and rided towards sea beach.  We got down there and paid the Camel man @ 20 per person. We saw that sea sand is black.  And sea color was also dark. No body was taking bath in the sea. Only few people were in the water for photography. We also took some photographs there and returned back. Since it started dark. We had some purchases of toys and gifts which was available at reasonable rates. We searched for a good Shankh. We found it at a shop but its price was high. We bargained but not succeeded to get its price down. We returned to Somnath Trust Restaurant and took food.

Boat Making
Then we went to our room at Somnath Trust Homes. We slept and got early so that we can pack our luggage and return the keys to Admn building and go to Veraval for catching Train.  We took bath there in the room. The water was so salty that our hair got sticked. I went to return the key and to get the deposited money from Admn building. My wife and children went to market to find the Shankh. It was 8 in the morning and our train was at 9:50 from Veraval.  I returned the key of room and got deposit money back and I came to main road and ring to my wife to come soon as it is 8:45. In between I talked to an auto driver to drop us to Veraval to catch the train no 11463. Rates were decided Rs.10 per person. I rang again to my wife to come soon. She returned with children after purchasing the Shankh. It was 9:10 am. Veraval station is 5 km from Somnath Temple. We said to auto drive move fast so that we can catch the train. He asked which train we said 11463. He took us to Somnath station within 5 minutes and stopped there and said go there. We said this is not Veraval Station. We said you to go to Veraval Station we had reservation from there to Rajkot. He asked your train starts from here you can ask from station. Make hurry and catch the train. We said you have to drop us to Veraval. After a lot of arguments and time wastage we finally found that The train is standing there and will move within 10 min. We paid to auto and moved fast to the train and got entered to the coach in which we were having reservation from Veraval. Veraval is 10 min journey by train from Somnath Station and covers 5 km. distance.
Boat Making at Somnath
As we took our seats train started moving. Within 5 min we were at Veraval.
We saw that many boat making wards were there in the way to Veraval from Somnath. Workers were making many boats. it was a nice look.
Most of the trains stops at Veraval station and passengers go to Somnath city by tempo paying Rs.10 per person.  Somnath Station is new and most people do not know it. Only few trains go to there and starts from there. This station is about 2 to 3 km distance from the Somnath Temple.

We took rest in the coach. It was sleeper coach. at about 14:00 hrs we reached Rajkot. We took our luggages from clock room and stayed in the waiting room. we took food. got some water for drinking. and some snacks also.
 We have to catch train to Lucknow from there which will be coming at 16:00 hrs. We were having waiting list in it. Seats were not confirmed. By quota released we got only one seat for four persons. At right time train arrived we went to IInd AC coach and got our only seat we set our luggage and sat all four on the same seat.  After whole night and other day journey in difficulty we came to our city Lucknow. Thank to God for happy and safe journey. 

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Somnath Darshan

We started from Rajkot district in the morning. The train have to reach Veraval at 12:30 noon. Train started we enjoyed pleasant morning through train. As train took speed a group of some ladies started singing folk songs with clapping. They laugh in between two songs and talk some light moment. Again start singing. We also enjoyed their singing. Water of that region is salty. We reached Veraval in time and tempo operators started catching us for site seen, Hotels. etc. We decided to go to Somnath temple first. We took tempo @ 10/- per person and reached in front of the temple. In the way we saw many boat building workshops.  Workers were making big boats at many places. 
We saw that there are two temples of "Somnath" the "Lord Shanker". One is small temple. it is called old temple. It is half above the ground and half under the ground. Other one is very Tall and new Temple. The new Temple of Somnath was built by the inspiration of Sardar Ballabh Bai Patel.  A huge stetue of Patel is standing in front of the temple.
We enquired about the room. An old building was there. simple room was about 300/- Rs. no bed no furniture only floor, and common toilet.  We left the place. We again enquire, one person started talking us. We were hungry and searching some food. Food there was very costly Rs. 80-100 per thali. That person said he can arrange accomodation for Rs 500/- to 1000/- he took us to a street. Here we saw Somnath Trust Restaurant. Someone told us in the way in our train that Somnath Trust have many rooms, which are well affordable and good in condition with attached toilet. We left that person. We went to Somnath Trust Restaurant, there was a little rush. Food was Rs. 40/- full stomach per person for adult and Rs. 30/- for children. It is year 2013. Food was nice. Then we wanted to drink tea but tea was not available in the Restaurant. We took tea outside the Restaurant on the street. It was nice tea Rs. 8-10 per glass.
Then we enquired about room in the Somnath Trust. It was another building on another street where booking is done. We went to that Office and booked a double bed room for one day at a cost of Rs. 350/- per day. Some security money of about Rs. 700/- to 800/- deposited. which is refundable on leaving the room. We booked a room took the key and then went to an other residential building which is situated in a campus. There are several buildings having 25-30 room in each building. About 200 rooms are there in those buildings and one great building tower for residential purpose for pilgrims is under construction. Yes keep your identity card with your self for booking the room.
We went to the room took rest and took a bath and in the evening we went to Somnath Temple for Darshan. Belt bags and shoes we deposited at proper place free of cost. and went to temple which is situated near the sea. We took Darshan of Lord Shiva and Parvati, Prayed and saw some beautiful  Murtis of Shiva according to different stories.  to be continue........

Flowers











Wednesday, March 13, 2013

CROW

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CROW

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Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Gomti River of Dwarika and Sunset at Sea


After darshan of Dwarkadheesh we came out the temple. The temple is west faced means Dwarkadheesh is looking to sea side. On the South side near the temple Gomti is flowing towards sea and meeting sea near the temple. Means temple is situated at meeting point of Gomti river and Sea. We moved toward South direction of temple from East road and we got river Gomti near the temple flowing towards the sea. we moved alongside the river on the street. and reached the meeting point of Gomti with sea. It was about 300 to 400 mtr distance. This was evening time and Sun was setting .  We stood there and watched Sun set.

After viewing Sunset we came to the temple again. Took Auto and went to Railway Station. Rs. 10 per head was charged.

We reached the Station took our luggage. Our train was at Night 11:30 which will be coming from Okha. We waited in waiting room. At night we ate food at Station. Only one shop of some snacks and food was there at the Plateform.  The shopkeeper came to us and asked  for food. we said it is 7 O'clock we will take food at 8 O' clock. He prepared fresh Puri with some potato vegitable for us and for many others . Tea was costly and very little.

At night train was some late. We had confirm reservation up Rajkot. we took our seats and slept. In the morning we step down at about 4:30. We fresh there and took ticket for Somnath Temple.  We enquired about train it was standing on plateform. we took our seats. Train moved to Somnath City. The city of Lord Shanker.

Radhe Krishna

Radha Krishna

Dwarkadheesh ki glion me




Sunday, February 17, 2013

Darshan of Dwarikadheesh







 We reached the Dwarkadheesh Temple. It is great feeling to see the temple. We bowed our heads to Lord Krishna from out side the temple and sat down near shops. The gate of the Mandir will be opened at 5:00 evening so we rested in front of closed shops. We searched for tea one shop we found and took tea for Rs 8/- per cup. It was little nice tea. There were some very old buildings near temple. We saw that at the entrance of temple some incomplete structure of temple is there which was came out when new way to temple was constructed.
Bags, ladies purse & mobiles are not allowed in the temple one bag stand and mobile stand is there outside the temple.  We saw that one Railway Reservation counter is there outside the temple and few people were making reservations in trains. we also have to purchase ticket from Somnath to Rajkot. we purchased it from here & got confirmed reservation.  We then stood in the queue for Darshan. At 5:00 evening gate of the temple opened we entered the temple and got Darshan of Lord Krishna. Jai Dwarkadheesh! Some other small temples are there in main premises.

Friday, February 15, 2013

Bhent Dwarika, Nageshwar Mandir and Gopi Talab

Boats for Bhent Dwarka
We mooved forward to Bhent Dwarka, 


Bhent Dwarka Land


Bird of Luck

Birds flying with us


here Sudama met Krishna and his fate changed. Birds were flying upon us till we reached Bhent Dwarka. People thrown some eating material in the air and birds catched in the air directly. We saw that temple is near to landing place. We moved on foot. Some took tempo. Here mobile phone is not allowed. One mobile stand was there. Operator took Rs 2/- per mobile for keeping in safe custody till we returned after the Darshan. We entered into the Mandir. It is a very Old temple. Some renovation work was going on. We took Darshan of Lord Krishna and others at this place. Prayed and returned back. 
Bhent Dwarka Temple

Mobile Stand at Bhent Dwrka




We took back our mobiles and speedly returned to catch returning boat as it was 10:30 and half hr it took to return where bus was standing. we were timely in our bus and bus moved for Nageshwar temple at 11:00 hrs. We reached Nageshwar Jyotirling. It is one of the 12 Jyotirling of Lord Shiva. Mandir is renovated by late Gulshan Kumar. It looks like new. 
Nageshwar Temple

Nageshwar Baba Bhole Shankar



Bus driver given us only 15 minutes to visit the temple. A Murti of Lord Shankar is constructed outside the temple.  It is about 100 feet high. In the temple we stood in line. Shivling in this temple is in the form of Snakes of Shiva and Parvati. Two Snakes embraced to each other.  Main place of the temple is very low. stairs to go down is there. everyone can not go inside the temple. As per the Pandits, you have to purchase Prasad starting from Rs 150/- onwards and then you can go to the temple. And also you have to wear only dhoti and all clothes you have to remov. We left the idea to go there. We bowed our heads and came out from there. We took some snaps and Bus driver started making hurry. We went to Bus and took our seats. Other passangers were also returned except one family who did not returned. He stood for 2-3 minutes and started bus after going few meters he stoped the bus and saw that that family is coming and running to bus. Then they sit on their seats.
bus went to Gopi talab. It is a pond where it is said that Lord Krishna given moksh to their 16108 Rani. Bus then went to Bus stand from where bus started at 13:30 hrs we reached to the Starting place of Bus, The office of Nagar Palika. 

Nagar Palika Bus Stand for Local Tour at Dwarka

Old building in front of Dwarka Bus Stand


There we searched for toilet it was near to Palika office but very dirty. Pay and use toilets were so-so, not maintaind.

One thing should be kept in mind, for travelers sufficient toilets with effective clinliness should be there. It is seen even paid services are not clean.

We asked for way to Dwarkadheesh temple it was straight upward. We felt hungry so we enquired about food. Restaurants were there offering food for Rs 70/- per person. You have to purchase for each persons separately even for child. We asked that our two children will share in one thali, they denied. We moved forward and saw that Lohan Trust Bhojnalaya offering full stomach food for Rs 35/- only.
Lohan Trust Restaurant at Dwarka, Gujrat

Cheap and Good Food at Dwarka
 We went there we took four thalis and enjoyed food. It was nice.