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The breathtaking Trikuta* Mountain top
Embracing the Vaishno Devi shrine
Watched me
As an equestrian
Slowly but surely
Climbing up
Moonlight shawl all over
Singing with other pilgrims
Walking, riding or in palanquins
In praise of the Mother
The breathtaking Trikuta Mountain top
Embracing the Vaishno Devi shrine
Waited with bated breath
For me and others
To cover those uphill serpentine 14 km
pathway
Sloughing off the material self
Being prayer itself
To offer our prayers
To Mother Vaishno Devi
And return safely
Which we did
*Trikuta is located in Jammu, which is one of the
three administrative divisions within Jammu and Kashmir, the northernmost State
in India. Trikuta, the
triple peak, is where the holy shrine of Vaishno Devi can be found. More
than 10 million pilgrims visit this shrine every year: Wikipedia
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| Me, at the hotel after whole-night-walking |
What a wonderful poem so clearly sharing and shining your experience -Sloughing off the material self, Being prayer itself - feels very profound and as with any journey a safe return is perhaps the most important thing..and your photo is beautiful too
ReplyDeleteMoonlight shawl all over
ReplyDeleteSinging with other pilgrims ~ You've painted such a beautiful picture of pilgrimage in this poem :)
Ooooo that is a great photo of you.You look elated.My Hindu friends have that look when they have just participated in a ceremony. It must have been a wonderful spiritual experience doing that night climb pilgrimage.I'm a bit envious.Beautiful poem.
ReplyDeleteI agree, you look so peaceful and serene in your picture Sumana :D and such a wonderful write as an accompaniment. Beautifully penned.
ReplyDeleteLots of love,
Sanaa
It is strange that when we exert ourselves to do something for others, to pay homage, to give rather than take we receive something which gives us such elation so that we realize what life is all about. What a great post this is Sumana.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a very inspiring pilgrimage.
ReplyDeleteJor se bolo Jai Mata Di!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a glorious pilgrimage. I can picture all of you, climbing and singing, all the way up the holy mountain. In your poem, you took me along, and I loved every moment. Bless you!
ReplyDelete"sloughing off the material self"---phrased so beautifully and, I would imagine, done one step at a time....uphill, every step of that 14 km pilgrimage. What an amazing experience!
ReplyDeleteWhat an inspire journey, your poem paints for us. Your words make me wish I could visit. I bet the experience is a feast for the spirit. ♥
ReplyDeleteThank you for allowing me to climb with you. Your words reminded me of the way I feel when I slowly walk the labyrinth. Blessings,
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
Peaceful and beautiful Sumana....You have taken us on your pilgrimage with you...and your photo is lovely!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous:
ReplyDelete"Slowly but surely
Climbing up
Moonlight shawl all over
Singing with other pilgrims
Walking, riding or in palanquins
In praise of the Mother ...
To offer our prayers
To Mother Vaishno Devi
And return safely
Which we did"
Oh my! It is as if you are welcomed into the warmth and health of The Mother slowly as an ordeal brings you there, but watched over at the same time. I love your personification of the landscape, your breathless meter.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful walk,piece, and picture.
ReplyDeleteZQ
I love that this pilgrimage both inside and out, honors the mother--beautifully said!
ReplyDeleteWhat a most beautiful spot to give homage....beautifully described.
ReplyDeleteDonna@LivingFromHappiness
I see your glow in the photo. What a wonderful way to honor the Mother and renew yourself.
ReplyDeleteGoing on a pilgrimage is like an extraordinary experience to me. Though not often, last month I had the chance to join a pilgrimage with family members. We call it Visita Iglesia, an annual before the Lenten season where we visit & offer prayers to different parochial churches in one whole day. Thanks for sharing your experience through this poem. :)
ReplyDeleteRich experience the viewers also feel. Well-versed.Thank you for sharing this here.Goddess bless!
ReplyDeleteJammu is on my bucket list of places to see one day. How wonderful to journey to Kashmir on pilgrimage.
ReplyDeleteA lovely - and edifying - share, wonderfully rendered. "Sloughing off the material self
ReplyDeleteBeing prayer itself" ... transcendent.
The moonlight shawl draws me in.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your poem...and thought of the mountain I see from my studio each day, three peaks.
ReplyDeletethis is wonderful! always something interesting to learn. :)
ReplyDeleteI love this pilgrimage...when you were 'Sloughing off the material self' -how enlightened it is! good for you!
ReplyDelete