Mien Exotic and Eternal Journey to Parsvnath

Being Hindu by birth I never really believed in idol worship. Though I am not completely atheist any how, I like going to temple. I have never been a complete devotee but I like the serene and calm environment that lies in the ambience of temple. So in search of this serene and calm ambience I decided to join three Jain friends in their journey, rather I would call our journey to Parasnath (also called Parsvnath). On one of the Thursday evening we started our journey. We left our lodging about two hours to journey but Kolkata traffic dared to challenge by sticking us in jam. It was drizzling outside the taxi but there was only twenty minutes to reach the Howrah station. Our taxi got stuck in the jam’s deadlock so we decided unanimously to leave the taxi and run as fast as possible with our luggage. We didn’t want to miss the train as it would spill water on our plan. So with luggage on our backs and shoulders and heart in our mouth, we ran sweating profusely to reach the station before the train leaves. Drizzling falling on us resembled heaven showering flower for our effort. But God help those who help themselves. With firm determination we ran desperately and there was no one who could have defies us from reaching the station on right time. As we all set ours foot on pedestal of the train’s coach it left the platform.

So we reached Parasnath at about 4 o’clock in the morning. At about 5 o’clock I saw the first stroke of sun beam splashing on my face. The rays itself were so pious that I thought that by just putting my first step itself I got nirvana, for which our Holy Saint took so many years. I don’t remember when I have last seen the sunrise in Kolkata. It was pleasant morning and a cup of tea in the earthen pot (called kullad in local language) made it even more enjoyable and memorable. Then at thirty past Five we left for Sammet shikhar. Sammet shikhar is the place where Lord Mahavir along with many Jains Saint has been believed to get Moksha (Nirvana). We booked the room in the dharmsala which is managed by Digamber Jain society (There are two sects in Jain, one is Digamber ,who worship moksha form of Lord Mahavir and other is Swetamber,one who worship birth form of Lord Mahavir) . We had decided prior to journey to rest for a day and then start our journey in early morning next day.

As per our plan we started our journey at sharp thirty past three early in the morning. It was all together 27 kilometers of journey, broken into three equal parts of 9 kilometers each. First 9 kilometers was walk on acclivity of the mountain. Then second 9 kilometers was distance to be covered between many peaks which hold the signs (tuk) of place of moksha of various Jain saints. Then finally the last 9 kilometers, the toughest one because it is to be done barefooted down the slope of mountain in hottest part of the day and in completely enervated condition.

One of my friends said to me that if I had done this pilgrim about 100 years before, then foots of mine would have been washed up by people and that pious water would have been equivalent to elixir. There are rarely any people from other religions who dare to do this journey for no cause. But I did this for the welfare of mankind. I don’t believe in saying that religion is made to divide people in different sects but only sole purpose of religion which I feel is to unite people.

I was happy with the arrangements made by the Jain community there. Food was served at about no cost. There were lots of temples in the small premises of Sammet shikhar. But the only thing I think lacked there was sere motive to raise the economically backward adivasi, native to that place. Lot of money was donated in the name of making temples but none was spend in uplifting the poor and poverty stricken people of the society. Like other parts of India, here also we can clearly see the thick line of demarcation between rich and poor. This was not I expected from this place. At least at holy places people should forget the materialistic desire and try to serve the society in which lots of people are leaving, who are still not getting two times meal a day. Even Lord Mahavir renounced the world and served the people. So people should learn lesson and should continue to build the temple and shrine but should also spare some wealth for the downtrodden.

Sammet shikhar was like Isle in the sea of poverty and completely neglected people. As we stayed in our destitute room in Dharmsala, there was continuous peeping into from the undraped window and unlatched door. Peeping into our room were grief stricken children and women, whose face itself said the entire story. It was amazing to see where the entire donation was being utilized. No doubt it was used in building temples and monuments. This would remind the generation to come, about the sacred religion. And these half naked people would be still be there begging for the much needed jest to live.

So with this truth of life I completed my journey, which I still define as an exotic and eternal not because I came close to God, but due to profound truth which was revealed to me. By serving others only we can get Moksha not by performing any pilgrimage.

Serve the needy; it’s the Nirvana in this Kalyug.