By Manoj Barai
On March 25 the All-India Padayatra was at Manjarkheda, a village of more than 2500 inhabitants 35km from the Amravati district headquarters in Maharashtra. Following the Gaura-purnima celebrations at Dhamangaon, padayatra was now on the road to Amravati city. Every day the padayatris walk for about 15km, staying in villages or towns along the way and providing the populace with the opportunity for darshan of Sri Sri Nitai-Gaurasundar.
When Bhakta Shubham heard that padayatra was coming to Amravati he was determined to join the party and serve the padayatris. He contacted me inquiring about their schedule and in particular asking, “Will they come to my aunt’s village, Manjarkheda, on the way?” Shubham was very excited when I told him I’d discussed his request with AIP leader Acarya dasa and he’d agreed to the diversion from padayatra’s route.
As padayatra entered Manjarkheda village, well known for its Shiva temple, Shubham welcomed the party with garlands and escorted them to the temple. My wife, Jayabhadra dasi, and our son Nimai and I were also there, having followed padayatra from Kaundanyapur, engaging with the padayatris and experiencing their adventurous life.
The padayatris were pleased to visit the temple, with its natural setting surrounded by greenery conducive for the oxen. It was the first time padayatra had been to the village, and all credit for the arrangement goes to Shubham. As the villagers gathered around the rath and took darshan of Their Lordships, we explained to them the glories of padayatra. Everyone in our party then took darshan of Lord Shiva and honoured prasadam in the temple courtyard. The temple pujari was also delighted to honour Nitai-Gaurasundar prasadam.
That afternoon the small deities went to Shubham’s aunt’s house for a home programme. The family welcomed Their Lordships and donated some grains.
Then it was time for padayatra to leave Manjarkheda. As Acarya steered the tractor pulling the two tightly packed trailers it looked like a small train whenever the tractor made a turn, and the picturesque scene endearing as the oxen and rath moved forward, a few padayatris walking alongside distributing books. Padayatra India was headed for its next destination.
