Engraved in Memory

Both sides of road were crowded with numerous shops. They were selling variety of items. This is a usual sight on the roads leading to most of the religious places in India. We never entered one. Our focus was to reach Sajichat at the earliest. People were walking on the road. Some were riding on horseback. Horsemen were trying to control their speed. There was an unusual odour in the air. It was a mix of surrounding smell with droppings and urine of horses. Shrine board employees were continuously cleaning the road. There continuous efforts were falling short as it was getting dirty again in no time. In such a heavy rain it was dirty, what must be happening when there is lot of rush and it doesn't get cleaned naturally by rain? I need additional visits to know more about it. One has to be careful walking on the road. There is always rush of devotees and Pittuwalas (Bag carriers) walking on foot. Horses and palanquins are going up and down on that narrow road. Each palanquin is carried by four persons (doliwallas). Rhythm in their walking was a sight. Harmony in their movement is still in front of my eyes. Even after two years it plays like a movie when I close my eyes and rethink about it.

Vaishnodevi is holy shrine of Hindus, second most frequented by devotees after Tirupati Balaji. Devotees not only from India but all over the world visit here. Both this temples are managed very efficiently by respective temple administration committees', I felt facilities for devotees, cleanliness are excellent Here. We staying in Maharashtra always boast of it being progressive state. I thought to write temple administrators in Maharashtra to send study tour to these places. I think managing temples and creating facilities for pilgrims is progressive too.

We also observed the horsemen, doliwallas and Pittuwalas. Most of them were tall, slim and well built. They were very fair and had blue green eyes. They were impressive and hardworking. Whenever we opened a talk, they greeted us by saying "Jai Mata Di". It means hail the mother goddess. Every now and then we heard them saying' blessings of mother goddess'. They can work here only after registering with temple administration. Each one was issued identity card. Very economical food and free restrooms are available to all of them. Cost of food for them, was only 50-60% of cost to devotees in special dining rooms.  a striking fact was most of them were Muslims, They come from distant part of Kashmir valley. Poverty is a norm in that part of J&K. Income sources are far and few, we were told. Is this the reason that youth from this part is easily trapped for terrorism, from across the border? They find working here helps them with decent earning. They come here again and again for employment. There is restriction on number of registered workers.Those who are waiting for registration or don't get one work as masseur. There condition, I found is very bad. They don,t even get advantage of free rest rooms and economical food. Temple administration has created very good facilities for direct employees in the hills.They are provided with decent accommodation near their work stations. We continued our trek enjoying these visuals, discussions and thinking about them.

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