From Ganga’s Embrace to Sriram’s Abode: A Journey in Spirit

Some journeys are destined.  Visiting Kashi was one of them. It had lingered on my mind for years, but each time I thought of going, something held me back. A quiet voice within said, "Not yet. The time will come."

After Amma’s passing, I felt lost, like a river searching for its course. Seeking clarity, I turned to Swamiji. His words, simple yet profound, offered direction: "Go to Kashi. The Ganga will embrace her, and you will find peace." That moment, I knew Kashi was calling.

When Jayu and Vinny expressed their wish to join, and Sabitha decided to come along, it felt complete.

Our journey to Varanasi and Ayodhya was one of love, reflection, and connection. As we walked through these sacred lands, Sabitha and I along with Jayu and Vinny, the four of us found solace in being together, carrying Amma’s love and legacy in our hearts. Every ritual, every temple visit, and every quiet moment brought a deeper sense of peace: a reminder that while Amma may no longer be with us in form, her presence, her warmth, and her guidance will forever remain a part of us.

The ancient city of Varanasi greeted us in its own way — not with fanfare, but with the quiet pulse of eternity. The timeless sound of temple bells echoed through the misty air, blending with the distant chants of priests performing rituals by the river. The Ganga flowed steadily, indifferent to time, carrying with her the weight of countless prayers, promises, and partings. It was as though the very air whispered stories of generations past, of souls who had come here seeking peace, liberation, and meaning.

Yet, amidst all this ancient energy, the biting cold caught us off guard. The chill cut through us, as if the city itself was reminding us of our place - small travelers on a vast, sacred path. Our clothes weren’t enough to shield us, and the cold seemed to deepen as the sun dipped lower. In search of warmth, we stumbled upon a small roadside vendor, selling woolen skull caps in muted colors that blended into the earthy tones of the city.

Jay and Vinny quietly picked up a pair and put them on without a word, the moment feeling almost ceremonial in its simplicity. just a humbling sense of belonging, as if these small acts were part of the ancient rhythm of Varanasi. Walking through the narrow streets, we moved with the city’s flow, the caps keeping out the cold while the spirit of the place filled our hearts.

It wasn’t just a search for warmth. It was a quiet offering to the city: a gesture of respect, acknowledging that we were part of something far greater. Every step through those sacred lanes felt like walking through history, Amma’s presence quietly guiding us, reminding us that this was more than a journey. It was a reunion with something eternal.

At Harishchandra Ghat, we completed Amma’s final rites. The moment was serene and solemn. As her ashes merged with the Ganga, I couldn’t help but feel her guiding presence. The sacred waters embraced her, carrying her spirit toward the eternal world. It was a moment of fulfillment: an act of love and duty, sending Amma on her path to Sadgati.

After the immersion, I felt a pull toward the Ganga. Taking a dip wasn’t about tradition alone; it was personal. I stepped into the icy water, expecting the chill to hit me hard, but something else happened. The water, which had felt unforgiving moments before, suddenly seemed to embrace me with warmth. It wasn’t just the Ganga. It was Amma, her gentle touch reminding me that her presence would remain with us, always.

Our temple visits began with the majestic Kashi Viswanath Temple, where Lord Shiva presides as the eternal guardian of the city. The chants of “Har Har Mahadev” filled the air, and I felt a deep sense of peace, knowing Amma’s soul had found its resting place in this sacred land.

At Annapurna Temple, memories of Amma’s kitchen filled my mind - Her way of making everyone feel cared for, standing before the goddess, it felt as though Amma’s nurturing spirit was right there, reminding me that true nourishment comes not just from food, but from the love and warmth with which it is shared.

The energy shifted at Visalakshi Temple, where the divine mother’s calm, compassionate gaze seemed to offer silent reassurance. In that moment, I felt Amma’s wisdom — her quiet strength, her way of guiding me without ever imposing. Her words echoed in my heart: 

क्लैब्यं मा स्म गम: पार्थ नैतत्त्वय्युपपद्यते |

क्षुद्रं हृदयदौर्बल्यं त्यक्त्वोत्तिष्ठ परन्तप || 

klaibyam ma sma gamah partha naitat tvayyupapadyate

kshudram hridaya-daurbalyam tyaktvottishtha parantapa.  

“Give up this petty weakness of heart and arise.”  

It was one of her favorite verses, always delivered with unwavering conviction whenever I faced doubt or fear. Standing there, I could feel her presence, reminding me to rise above challenges, with courage and purpose, just as she always inspired me to do.

And then came Kali Temple: fierce, protective, and empowering. The goddess’s strength reminded me of Amma’s unwavering resilience in the face of life’s challenges.

Our final stop was Kaalabhairava Temple, the guardian of Kashi and the lord of time. We tied sacred threads on our wrists, a gesture of protection and devotion. It felt symbolic, as though Amma was tying us together, reminding us that our bond, rooted in love and dharma, would endure across time and space.

But it wasn’t all rituals and solemnity. Jay and Vinny were quick to grab snacks at every turn. At one point, while we waited for the evening Ganga aarti, they returned with hot tea and kachoris. We stood by the river, sipping chai and soaking in the moment.

The aarti was a spectacle - the rhythmic chants, the mesmerizing lamps, the familiar songs like “Har Har Gange” and “Jai Jagdish Hare” echoing through the night. The river shimmered with the light of countless diyas, and the air was charged with devotion.

As we walked back through the streets of Kashi, the boys, well, young men joked and laughed, even as the cold nipped at us. The shared moments of humor, reflection, and connection made this journey unforgettable.

And now, as the boys head back home after a busy seven days, I sit here reflecting on everything we experienced. Amma brought us here, to this ancient city, to remind us of life’s flow:  continuous, sacred, eternal.

We’ll miss you, Amma. But your love and guidance will stay with us forever.

Next day we drove Ayodhya. 

Our visit to Ayodhya wasn’t just a spiritual journey: it was a deliberate shift, a chance to recalibrate our senses after the deep immersion of Varanasi. The colors, sounds, and experiences of Varanasi had left us emotionally stirred and reflective, and we knew Ayodhya would offer a different kind of spiritual balm. It was an opportunity to change the palate of our experiences, to shift gears and reconnect with our faith in a new yet equally profound way.

The first moment we stepped into the queue at the Ram Mandir, we could feel the change in the air. As we stood in line, the hum of bhajans began to surround us. The words “Jai Shri Ram” echoed from every corner, carried by the breeze and filling the space with an overwhelming sense of devotion. The crowd, though large and moving quickly, was bound by the same rhythm, the chants became like a heartbeat of the temple, steady and unyielding. It was as if the entire city of Ayodhya was humming in harmony, guiding us forward, moment by moment.

The waiting felt timeless, but in a way that didn’t wear us down. Instead, it wrapped us in a sacred embrace, inviting us to reflect on our journey and the purpose behind our trip. The bhajans, the chanting, and the devotion of those around us infused our thoughts with an almost otherworldly sense of peace. Even the cold seemed to fade away in the warmth of those chants.

As we approached the Ram Lalla idol, the spiritual energy intensified. Standing before the idol, we could almost feel Lord Ram’s presence, it was as if he had guided us here, through every step, every chant, and every breath. The sacred space of the temple, combined with the collective devotion, deepened our connection to the divine and to each other.

Next, we visited Kanak Bhavan, a sacred site that holds immense significance in the lore of Lord Ram. It is here, after his marriage to Sita, that Lord Ram and his bride visited together, marking a new chapter in their life. As we walked through the temple, we felt a deep connection to their sacred journey. The temple seemed to echo with the joy and purity of their bond, a reminder of the timeless love that transcends time and space. There was a peaceful serenity in the air, inviting us to pause and reflect on the beauty of their divine relationship.

Our journey continued to the mighty Hanuman Mandir, where the presence of Lord Hanuman enveloped us with strength and protection. The chants of “Jai Hanuman” rang through the temple, joining seamlessly with the “Jai Shri Ram” we had carried with us from the Ram Mandir. It felt like an uninterrupted wave of divine energy, strengthening our resolve and filling us with gratitude.

After the spiritual depth of these temples, we found ourselves at a small shack near Kanak Bhavan, enjoying a simple but satisfying thali. The food, humble yet rich in flavor, felt like the perfect conclusion to the day’s sacred journey. It was a meal of quiet contentment, a moment to pause and reflect on everything we had experienced.

Ayodhya wasn’t just a destination, it was a profound experience, a place where devotion met history, and where the vibrations of “Jai Shri Ram” and “Jai Hanuman” continued to resonate through every prayer and every heart. It gave us the peace and reflection we sought after the emotional intensity of Varanasi, grounding us in the love and guidance of Lord Ram and Hanuman, and leaving us with a renewed sense of spiritual fulfillment.