Sri Hanumanji Maharaj in Sariska Tiger Reserve - 5000 yrs old
Author: kapil kumar Venue: Bhawali, Uttrakhand
Baba Ramchandra Das ji Maharaj
You never know how things work. In a tiger sanctuary we just had an eye contact & suddenly Baba Ramchandra Das called me to his kutia ( a small room house of a yogi ). He gave us a glass of water and gave us sweets to eat. Initially, we were a little reluctant about the motive of this holy man in inviting us to his place. But we kept cool and patiently listened to his stories and the love he was showering on us. Slowly, we settled down and understood that this man doesn't want money - all he wants us to sit and enjoy some talks because from his temple - the nearest big village is 40 kms away and to reach that you have to cover a dense jungle full of leopards, tigers and other wild animals.
Road to Sariska Hanuman Temple
It was summer of 2009 when after a gap of nearly a decade I started for Sariska Tiger Reserve in Alwar District of Rajasthan. Earlier, I remember when I was with Zee News - I shot a documentary and I always remembered a Hanuman Temple at Pandupol. I always like this temple not just because of religious purpose but the location of the Temple invites you to come. A thick forest filled with leopards, tigers, deers, wild boars is enough to set the pace for an thrill pack trip. You never know what's awaits you.
Wild Boars during your trip to Hanuman Temple
From Delhi you have to drive 4 hours & 200 kms to reach the gates of Sariska Tigers Reserve. And the Road from Bhiwadi till Alwar is like a cakewalk. From Delhi we go to Gurgaon than to Bhiwadi - taking the Dausa Highway via Tijara we reach Alwar. From Alwar the Gates of the Tiger reserve is 35 kms. People who want just the darshan of that temple should visit the reserve on Tuesdays and Saturdays as your private vehicle is allowed inside the park so that people can visit the 5000 yr old Hanuman Temple. All you have to do is to buy a ticket which might cost around 300 rupees which gives you a permit to enter the park. If you are lucky than you can encounter the tiger, a leopard, lots of deers and wild boars. Off course monkeys as well.
People going on foot to the temple risking their lives with the predators
The best part is that lot of villagers go barefoot to the temple and never the tiger has attacked them. This is kind of a human animal relationship here. They sing kirtans and just reach the temple. For people of Rajasthan this temple means everything to them. You get married you come here, you get your first child you come here, you buy anything new you come to Hanumanji - that is incredible relationship.Though The Road is tough to reach because there is no metalled road inside but still the LOVE for Hanumanji makes you reach there. And off course a lot of birds will keep you company inside the park.
Baba Ramchandra Das ji with his monkey companions
Baba Ramchandra Das ji offered some cannabis to us- though we shared his chillum and enjoyed some talks about Hanumanji. We were amazed because it is a dense jungle and lives alone especially when no one comes during the week. After we had Chillum he said food is coming shortly. To our utter surprise five Van Gujjars came with a lot of food along with sweets. We had plenty full and Baba Ramchandra Das acted as our Grandfather in that dense jungle. This was nothing but a short of miracle that you do find good people in the desert too.
We in the dense forest at Pandupol
But there is also a greater reason to it. Because of Hanumanji s presence who is an apostle of unconditional love and sewa. The story goes 5000 years back during Mahabharata. Hanumanji incarnated as an OLD MONKEY. Bheema the mighty warrior and one of the Pandavas was full of ego due to his immense strength and power. Bheema was carrying water for the family and he saw a monkey tail in his way. He in a state of arrogance asked the monkey to lift his tail up....
Hanuman ji with his "TAIL".
"Lift your tail you monkey I have to go", Bheema said
"Why don't you lift my tail and go. I am old and unable to lift my tail pls", said the OLD MONKEY
Bheema in a state of rage tried to pick up the tail and throw it away only to find that he could not even move the tail by one bit. He tried and tried and tried But failed miserably. But sooner he realised that this cannot be an ordinary monkey. He asked for forgiveness and said pls show me your real roop. The OLD MONKEY turned into HANUMANJI - and said
"Bheema be humble always - strength and power are momentary - humbleness stays for centuries".
learning to break the Ego from the hermits
In Pandupole Hanumanji Temple egos get shattered and you become mellow and understand the worth of unconditional sewa to everyone. Whenever life permits you do go to this temple and feel this sitting under a tree
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