Mehkar Mahtmyam

Sarangadhar Balaji

A scene:

It was mid-winter, the month December, the year 1888 and the place Megankar, in Maharashtra. Shri Rambhau Bhite, a “Patil” of the constabulary, was directing his men in an excavation for a construction. Suddenly, one of the men exclaimed that they struck something hard. After some careful digging, to everyone’s surprise, they brought out a huge stone idol. It was an idol of Mahavishnu, with such a beauty, that simple words cannot describe.

News spread like wild fire and reached the ears of the then British Collector. He planned to confiscate the idol and send it to England. Two of his officers, (Sri Deshpande-Tahsildar and Sri Joshi- a police inspector) were sent to investigate. After seeing the idol, both the officers were spellbound by the beauty and divinity of the idol. Their immediate reaction was to save and protect this idol “come what may”. They both suggested to Sri Bhite, that the only way to prevent confiscation and export of the idol, is to install it immediately. There was hardly any time to discuss or debate.

Pillared Hall¹ of the old temple in 1865 (fig2)

A place was selected, where, once existed a temple of “Baaladev”^{fig 2}. With the help of Jankiram Pathak, a priest and fellow citizens, the idol was installed and consecrated on 7^th December 1888. When the British authorities arrived, they found that the idol was already installed and consecrated. However, they have taken two stone tablets and a copper plate, all containing inscription about the idol. Those are said to be preserved in the British museum. The British officer did not take the incident lightly. Sri Deshpande and Sri Joshi were removed from services. The priest and two others were imprisoned for six months. Thereafter, Sri Rambhau Bhite built the temple with the help and funds from the public. In the year 1913, Sri Ganpathrao Kulkarni, built a vimanam over the sanctum sanctorum.

History:

Now, where, is this Megankar and what is its greatness? On the bank of river “Pranita”, there existed a town called “Megankar Nagari”. This is the present Mehkar, a historical town in Buldana district of Maharashtra and the river is presently called “Pyneganga”. This place was referred in Matsya purana, Padma purana, and Brahmanda purana. There is also a mention in Srimad Bhagavat Geetha in the 11th Canto, as a city on the bank of river “Pranita”.  An Islamic poet (I presume, Abd-al-Rahim Khan-i-KhananRef-2), had mentioned that Mehkar is older than the “Hijri” calendar beginning, by 795 years. The current year being “Muharram” 1437, which makes the city, 2232 years old.      The Ain-I-Akbari, (Volume-3 of Akbarnama), a Persian text, written by Abu-al-Fazl-ibn-Mubarak, between A.D.1590 to A.D.1596, under, the second climate, “Súbah of Berár2”, gives a description of Mehkar as “Mahkar”. It details the four parganas and the seven sub divisions under Mehkar. It also details, the revenue generated and the strength of the army maintained therein.

Legend³:  

Dwajasthambam fig-3

Once there lived a Brahmin by name “Sunand”. He learnt the Vedas and scriptures well and led a pious life. He used to chant the 11^th chapter of Bhagavad Geetha regularly for many years. He was blessed with brahmagyan and became a yogi. He was teaching Veda to many people. Once, he desired to go on a pilgrimage to Godavari, and left with some of his disciples.

At nightfall, they reached a village by name “Vivah Mandap”and decided to spend the night there and started looking for a place. None of the villagers were willing to accommodate them. Then yogi Sunand went in search of the village chief and explained the situation. The village chief arranged their accommodation in a dharmasala.

After a night’s rest, Yogi Sunand woke up in the morning and called one of his disciples, but no one was there. Curious, he came out of the dharmasala, and started looking for them. At that time, the chief was walking towards him. Sunand told him that he was surprised, that all of his disciples have disappeared. The chief was also surprised, but for a different reason. He took one look at the stature and the holiness on the face of Sunand and fell at his feet, crying. Sunand picked him up and asked him for the reason. The chief started narrating the story.

“Here lives a demon by name “Megangara”, who tortures us and keeps killing and eating our people at his will. To control him and to save our people, though very selfish, we made an agreement with Megangara. That is, he can take whoever stays overnight in the dharmasala. That is the reason, for the disappearance of your disciples”. He further said “at one such instance, by my foolishness, I lost my own son. 

Temple entrance fig-4

Once, a friend of my son came, when my son was not at home. Without thinking, I made his friend to stay in the dharmasala. In the night, when my son came home, he learnt what happened. For a few moments, he was angry at me. Then without listening, he rushed to the dharmasala. Unfortunately, he too became a victim of the demon. That was the reason for my sorrow, and the reason for my surprise is that you are still alive. You are a great man, and I will be ever at your service.” Sunand decided to help the villagers and said that as requested by them, he will spend a few days in the dharmasala.

On the seventh night, the demon came and confronted Sunand. The yogi was unperturbed. He took a handful of water from his Kamandalu and sprinkled on the demon. In the next moment the demon disappeared, and in his place a Brahmin was standing. At that time, the chief collected the villagers and came to the dharmasala. They couldn’t believe their eyes from what they saw.

There was no demon, but a good looking Brahmin was bowing in front of Sunand. The Brahmin looked at the chief and said “It was me who was the demon. Now, I will bring back everyone, who was eaten by me. Amongst them, see if you can identify your son, thereafter I will tell my story”. So saying, he brought everyone back. The chief was perplexed, because, they all looked the same, and each one resembled a Mahavishnu incarnation. In a few moments, the chief’s son stepped out and called his father. “Oh, my father, all of his here, have attained salvation through this Megankara and this great sage Sunanda. Now for you to attain your salvation, be of servitude to this Yogi Sunanada”. Then Sunanda asked the Brahmin, how he became a demon? The Brahmin narrated his story.

The Main hall (fig-5)

“My name is “Megangara”. By birth, I was a Brahmin and I was leading a pious and peaceful life. I also have fields, which I keep tending, for my living. On that fateful day, I was working in my field , totally engrossed. I was not conscious what was happening around me. Near the road, a vulture was eating a man alive. A rishi (sage) was passing by saw this and chased away the vulture. But it was too late, as the man was already dead. The sage looked around and saw me working in my field. Wild with anger, he came to me and asked how I can keep quiet, when a man is being eaten alive? I said, that I did not notice, as I was concentrating in my field. He did not listen, and cursed me to become a demon. I fell at his feet and pleaded for forgiveness, and a way to get relieved of this curse. He said, that “You shall be roaming in this area for many years. One day, a sage will come here who had attained Gnana (wisdom), by repeatedly chanting the 11^th canto of “The Bhagavat Gita”. Only by him, you will be relieved of the curse, and you will also attain salvation. That place also will bear your name”. When he completed his narration, a celestial vehicle came down. All of them got in and the vehicle moved towards heaven. From then onwards, the place came to be known as “Megankar”.

There is also another legend^3a. This demon was torturing the rishis and sages in this area, from performing their rituals, yagna, at times killing them and making their life miserable. This was going on for many years. Unable to bear this torture any more, they prayed to God Mahavishnu to redress their grievance. Mahavishnu came down as Sarngadhar. He killed the demon (rather, the Asura inside) with His Sarnga, bow and arrows. Megankar, in his last moments, requested for three boons. That is 1) he should attain salvation, 2) Mahavishnu shall stay there forever, to bless those who come here and pray and 3) this place shall be named after him as “Megankara”. All his wishes were granted. Later a temple was constructed in that place.

Vimanam fig-6

Temple layout:  

This temple is a simple brick structure. There is no Rajagopuram. A vimanam is constructed above the sanctum sanctorum, in the Nagara style of architecture. There is a Dwajasthampa, in front of the entrance. There is big hall in front of the sanctum, with adequate space for the devotees to assemble and worship. Adjacent to the temple is “Balaji Baktha Nivas” for pilgrims to stay.

Deity:

The main deity is Mahavishnu. Here, He is also known by other names, which are Sarngdhar Balaji ⁴, Trivikrama Balaji ⁵ and Rishikesh Balaji ⁶. Standing almost 11feet tall, a magnificent, monolithic stone idol. There are many special attributes to the deity. Let me try to give a “Paadhaathi kesa” (feet to head) description. First, the attributes. Then the specialities. Going clockwise, on His left, near the feet, is Mahalakshmi (Sridevi). On Her right is Vijayan and Jayan, Dwarapalakas (the divine gate keepers). Below and slightly to the right is Bhudevi, Mahavishnu’s consort.

        

Sarangadhar Balaji fig-7 In His lower right hand is a lotus flower.  In the upper right hand is Kaumodhaki, (Mace/Gadha). In the upper left hand is “Sudharsana” chakra and in the lower hand is “Panchajanya”, Conch. He is wearing a “Padasaras” (similar to payal) on the feet, “Padavalaya/Padaka” (anklet) on the ankles, “Inamalai or Vijayanthi” (Mekala) on the hip, “Katakavalya/Kankana” (bangle/Kada) on the wrists, “Keyuram/Angada” (Arm band), “Kausthubam” a chain on the neck, “Vyazha kundalam” (circular earrings) and “KiritaMakutam” (headgear).There are no other ornamentsBehind the deity, in the “Tiruvaci”or “Prabavali” (arch behind the deity) are the ten avatars of Mahavishnu. They are, in clockwise, Matsya avatar, Koorma avatar, Varaha avatar, Narasimha avatar, with Hiranyakashipu on his lap, Brahma3 seated on lotus, Vamana avathar, Mahavishnu4 in standing posture,    Parasuram avathar, Mehswara5 seated on Rishab-(bull). Rama avathar, Balarama avatar, Buddha avatar and Kalki avatar, seated on a horse.

Depiction of Buddha as the 9^th avatar instead of Krishna is very rare. There are mentions about Buddha in (a) Agni Purana-Ch.16, (b) Pancaratra Agama-Hayastrasa Samhita-23-26, (c) Naradiya Samhita-1, 60, and Manasara-Ch.56

Kirita Makuta fig-8

He is Sarngadhar Balaji. But where is the Saranga(the archery bow)?. On a closer look, we can see a smaller idol on the KiritaMakuta, the crown. Seated in “Virasana”. He is holding Sarnga (Bow) in the left hand and Bana (arrow) in the right hand.

Special features :

Chakra in left hand fig-9

On detailed study, the greatness of Balaji can be observed. The Sudharsana Chakra⁷, which is usually in the upper right hand, is held in the upper left hand. The Panchjanyam (conch) usually in the upper left hand is in the lower left hand. To my knowledge, only a handful of temples have the main deity like this. The significance is, when Mahavishnu makes his appearance, after a samhara or garvabanga, He holds the chakra in his left hand, as a sign of peace. I would like to mention three other places, where this could be seen.

Thiruvikrama fig-9

First is “Thiruvikarama Perumal temple” (Ulagalanda Perumal) in “Thirukkovilur”, in Villupuram district of Tamilnadu. The deity in this temple is related to Vamanavathar. There are mentions about this temple in the Sangam Literature (3^rd century.B.C to 3^rd Century C.E). There is also a mention in Bhagavata Puranam, Vamana Avatar. The present temple was reconstructed by Virarajendra Chola (1063-1070 A.D). In this temple Mahavishnu as “Thiruvikrama” will be holding the Sudharsan Chakra in the left hand and “Panchajanyam” Conch in the right hand.

Srikakuiandra Mahavishnu fig-10

Second is “Srikakulandra Mahavishnu temple” also known as “Andhra Mahavishnu temple”, in Srikakulam⁸, Gantasala Mandalam, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh. This temple was in existence even before the Satavahana regime (230BCE-220CE). There is a mention about this deity in the Uthara kanda of Brahmanda purana. The Rajagopuram was built in 1081 A.D by King Anantha Dhandapaaludu.

There are two striking similarities between “Sarangadhar Balaji” and Srikakulandra Mahavishnu”.

(a) The Chakra is held in the left hand, and (b) In the tiruvaci or prabavali (arch behind the deity), dasavathar displays Buddha as the ninth avatar, in place if Krishna.

Vaikuntha Rama fig-11

Third is the “Sri Sita Ramachandra swamy”, in Bhadrachalam, Kammam district, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh. The legend is that Mahavishnu, to fulfill a long desire of sage Bhadra, appeared as “Vaikuntha Rama”. An idol of Vaikuntha Rama was later discovered by “Pokala Dhammakka”, a pious lady of the early 17^th century. All she could afford was a small place to install the deity. A little later, undergoing many hardships, Saint “Baktha Ramadas” (1621-1680), constructed this temple, which he completed in 1674 A.D.

Here, “Sri Sita Ramachandra swamy”, is seen, seated in "Sukhasana", with Sita on his lap. He is holding an arrow in the lower right hand, bow in the lower left hand, conch in the upper right hand and Chakra in the upper left hand. Lakshmana is standing on the left side.

In all the three idols, the common feature is the reversed position of the Conch and Chakra. This is most likely to indicate peaceful appearance after a samhara. Sarangadhar Balaji, after the samhara of Megankara, Tiruvikrama perumal after samhara of Mahabali, Srikakulanndara Mahavishnu after samhara of an asura called Nishambu and Vaikuntha Rama after samhara of Ravana.

Location map fig-12

Location:

Mehkar is located at a distance of approximately 60 k.m from Buldana and 110 k.m from Akola. Another important pilgrim center is Shegaon, approximately 90 km from Mehkar (Saint Gajanan Maharaj temple).  In the temple premises, there is a Balaji BaktaNivas, where accommodation with prasadam is made available for pilgrims to stay. The temple remains open from 6.00 am to 12.00 noon and 4.00 pm to 8.30 pm. 

This map shows directions from Buldana and direction to Shegaon

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Notes :

1)       Photo source: Allardyce Collection, album of views and portraits in Berar and Hyderabad, taken by Robert Gill in the 1960s (Central Provinces list)

2)       [1] Lunár is a division of Mahkar, and a place of great sanctity. The Brahmans call it Bishan Gayá. There are three Gayás, where the per­formance of good works can be applied as a means of deliverance to the souls of deceased ancestors; namely, Gayá in Behár which is dedicated to Brahma, Gayá, near Bijápúr dedicated to Rudra,* and this one dedicated to Vishnu. Here is also a reservoir, having a spring in it of great depth, and measuring a kos in length and in breadth, and surrounded by lofty hills. The water is brackish, but when taken from the centre or at its sides, it is sweet. It contains the essential materials for the manufacture of glass and soap and saltpetre is here produced and yields considerable revenue.

On the summit of a hill is a spring at the mouth of which is carved the figure of a bull. The water never flows from this spring to the other, but when the 30th lunar day* falls on a Monday, its stream flows into the large reservoir. In the neighbourhood is a Zamíndár called Wáilah of the Rájpút tribe, commanding 200 horse and 2,000 foot. Another is called Sarkaṭh, also a Rájpút, and possesses 100 horse and 1,000 foot.

3)       Drawn from a Marathi text (Ref-5), which links each chapter of Baghavad Gita with importance given in Padma puran. 3a) from the official web Site.

(From the explanation given by the Pundit, I drew the following conclusions.)

4)       With Brahma and Siva on either side of the shoulders and Vishnu above the Kiritamakuta, this idol has the attribute of “Tirumurthy”. Could be the reason for the name Tiruvikrama Balaji.

5)       Mahavishnu himself is displayed in three poses. First with Gada, Chakra and Conch, the main murthy, second, seated with Sarnga in the Kiritamakuta, and third, standing as Changu, Chakra, Gadadhari. Hence the name Sarangadhar Balaji.

6)       The name Rishikesh Balaji could be due to a resemblance to the Mahavishnu idol of Bharat Mandir in Rishkesh.

7)       Unlike the usual 6, 8 or 8 spokes, here we see 16 spokes. I am not able to undersatand the significance.

8)       This place should not be confused with Srikakulam district near Visakhapatnam. This is on the eastern side of river Krishna, approximately 48 k.m from Vijayawada, and 35 k.m from Machilipatnam.

References:

1)       Official website of the temple - http://balajitemplemehkar.com/Temple_info.aspx            

2)       MA-ÁSIR-I RAHÍMÍ - by Muhammad 'Abdu-l Bákíu-l Rahímíu-l Nahavandí.

3)        “The Ain-I Akbari”, Vol. III, 2^nd climate.- Translation by H.Beveridge I.C.S.The Asiatic Society of Bengal (1873)

4)       “The Ain-I-Akabari”, by Abul-Fazl Ibn Mubarak, - Translated by Col.H.S.Jarret, Vol-II, Book-III, Ain-15, page 228 to 231 and chart ib, published by The Asiatic Society of Bengal (1891).

5)        “Padma puran-unthargat Prathyek Adhyayacha Mahatmya Sayith Baghavad Gita”, by Sitaram Kisan Ghatolkar, Gita Press, Gorakhpur, publication.I.S.B.N-81-293-0103-2

6)       D.N.Shukla-Vastusastra-Hindu canons of iconography and painting, VoL II.  Murishiram Manoharlal Publishers, New Delhi. 1993,

7)       T.A.Gopinatha Rao, Elements of Hindu Iconography-Vol-I, Part-I-Pages 216-220, Printed at The Law Printing House, Mount Road, Madras-1914.

8)      H.Krishna Sastry, Rao Sahib, South Indian Images of Gods and Goddesses- Pages 30 to 35, Printed by the Madras Government Press,(1916)

9)       M.Joshi-Bharatiya Sanskruti Kosha, Vol II (1964)

10)    Temples of Krishna in South India, History, art and Tradition- by T. Padmaja, 2002

11)    Photos courtesy-Shri Ram G.Saoji and internet

     

  

Epiode-2

Episode-2

By a tooth’s skin

This morning (11^th July 2011), when I opened the newspaper, the disturbing news was a couple of Train accidents, one in Assam and the other in U.P. causing invaluable loss of human lives and huge loss of property. When I switched on the T.V, the video clippings were shocking. Coaches riding one above the other, coaches rolled over and one or two were mangled leaving very little chance for entrapped passengers to escape.

My thoughts went down the memory lane. It was 1981, 11^th day of February. Winter in Chennai already started to taper down.  As usual, I reached my office at a quarter past nine, parked my shiny Royal Enfield Bullet, and walked in. After exchanging greetings with my service colleagues in the ground floor, I walked up the stairs to my room. My secretary, who always beats me to the office, was in her cubicle, arranging some papers. I went into my room, kept my brief-case on the side table, sat down to check my day’s work. My secretary walked in, and informed me, that our regional manager had come early and wanted me to see him on my arrival. Picking up my scratch pad, I stepped into his room.

Once, I was settled in a chair opposite to him, he started without any preamble and briefed about a case in Salem handled by my colleague, which required some follow-up work. As he was held up in another case, my RM wanted me to do some follow-up work. Among our team members, both marketing and service team members, we had good rapport and an excellent understanding. We always used to exchange notes on cases, and compliment one another on individual cases. So I had no difficulty in grasping what my RM wanted and knew that there is no urgency. As I had already planned to visit that area shortly, I told him that I could take it up and go in a couple of days. But he insisted that I should leave immediately. Knowing his nature, I didn’t argue and agreed.

Back in my room, I called up our travel agent and asked him to get me a ticket, by the late night train. Spent the rest of the morning, clearing my pending papers, and collecting whatever I needed for my tour. Meantime, my travel agent called to inform, that he got a wait-listed ticket. But there is a possibility of confirmation of berth and he will deliver the ticket to me at the station. By the time I cleared my table and collected necessary papers for my tour, it was lunch time. Two of my service department colleagues joined me, and we went over to our favourite restaurant. After lunch, I made a couple of visits, and by five o’clock, started for home.

At home, after a cup of hot coffee, I refreshed myself and packed my bag. After dinner, I left for the station around half past eight. When I reached Central Station, it was a quarter to ten. Our travel agent was waiting for me at our common meeting point. Seeing me, he walked to me and handed over my ticket. Bidding him farewell, I started walking up the platform. Unusually, the rake was already in the platform. When I approached the first class compartment, the TTE standing there, greeted me with a warm smile. Being a frequent traveler, I was familiar with most of the TTE’s. I returned his greeting and told him that I was holding a waitlisted ticket. He said that he will see what he could do about it, and asked me to board the coach.

When the train started moving, he came in and informed me, that I was lucky, as a bulk booking was cancelled and I could get a berth. I was also happy, least knowing what was in store for me. After checking the other passengers, he allotted me a berth. By that time it was 11.15 pm. After making a receipt for the reservation charges, he started a casual conversation, first checking whether I would like to retire. Since I was not sleepy, and we both shared a mutual interest in the works of a Tamil writer, we started a discussion. No other passenger boarded on the way, so we were not disturbed.

A little after mid-night, the train stopped at Katpadi junction.  Just as I was getting up to go to my berth, a railway staff boarded the train and the train started to move. The way he was wobbling, I could make out he was drunk. The moment he came in he started prattling in an abusive language. The TTE offered him a place to sit, and asked him to keep quite. But he wouldn’t. Instead he started walking and shouting, making a nuisance of himself. The TTE requested my help. Together, we made him sit and tried to keep him quiet, but to no avail. Then I suggested that we should hand him over to the Railway Police at the next station. When the train crawled into the next station, as our coach passed the Station Master’s room, the TTE signaled the Station master. When the train came to a halt, both of us literally carried the drunk and handed him to the Railway Police. At that time I was not aware that our move saved his life. We got back into our coach, and the train started to move. I looked at my watch. It was 2.50 am. Deciding to get some sleep, I took leave, went to the toilet to relieve myself and went to my berth.

Mine was upper berth, and I was in the process of climbing up. There was a big noise and a sudden jolt. I lost my hold, my face hit something and I fell upside down. The moment I fell on the floor, I blacked out. I don’t know how long I was unconscious. May be ten minutes, may be more. When I came round, all I could feel was a shooting pain in my back and wetness on my face. It was dark.  I tried to get up, and banged my head on some thing. I lied still for a few minutes to clear my head. I could realize that a mishap had taken place. Then I started to feel around with my hands. I could make out that I had fallen below the lower berth. Slowly, I rolled and tried to sit, but started to slide. Only then I realized that our coach was slanting on one end. In the darkness, I couldn’t find the status of the other two passengers. I thought, it will be better to try to get out and get help.

Managing to get a hold, I tried to locate door of the cabin. Before going to bed, I forgot to close the door, which proved to be blessing in disguise. The door had slid open. I crawled out of the cabin, got hold of a window in the vestibule and moved towards the gate. By the time I reached the gate, the pain in my back was unbearable. I rested for a while and lifted the shutter of the window. I could hear a commotion outside. People were shouting and gathering. As it was dark, nothing was visible. I hollered for help and reached the door.  Then I heard a faint voice from one of the cabins. I called out, said that help is coming and he should try to open the cabin door. I reached the door of the coach, and with some difficulty released the latches.

By then five or six people assembled near the coach, and two have climbed up and opened the door from outside. (Later I came to know that they were the passengers from the tail end of the coach, which were derailed but intact). They came in and asked me if I am hurt. I said I could manage, but there are others who are trapped. One of them had a torch light. I took them to my cabin and together we carried the elderly lady who was in the lower berth and a middle aged man who was travelling in the upper berth. Both were unconscious. We handed over them to the others, waiting outside the coach. Two more climbed into the coach. Then methodically we started to open each cabin. In the meantime, I got back into my cabin, located my bag and retrieved my torch light which I always carry. One by one the cabin doors were forced open and the injured were carried out and handed over to the willing hands outside. The crowd outside had increased. There were more light and more people. After ensuring that no one was left behind, we also got out. From the door it was a six feet jump.

Then the dawn set in and I could see more clearly. The injured were made to lie on the side of the track. By then the rescue team of the Railways and from local hospital starts to arrive. There was nothing much for me to do but wait. When I looked around the scene was horrible. All around men from the Railways, hospitals, fire service and volunteers carrying the dead and the dying. I could hear the sirens of ambulances in the distance. The track was on an embankment. I could see a coach rolled and turned upside down, coaches sliding down the embankment and coaches telescoping into one another. Coaches were lying down on both the sides of the track. Men were breaking open the doors and windows of the coaches to rescue the trapped.

Here, I would like to mention, what I have witnessed was not the result of one accident, but two. It was a multiple train collision. (I will explain a little later what really had happened). Suddenly there was a huge cry and people were running in my direction. When I looked up I could see about thirty feet away on the parallel track, flames coming from a coach. Later I came to know, that it was an A/C coach. A rescue team was trying to gain access into the coach, by cutting the window bars with a gas-cutter, and the flame caused some material to catch fire. I thought it is better to move away. With the help of an RPF jawan, who was coming down, I got into the coach and retrieved my bag. The blood stain on the berth and floor of the cabin indicated, that the other two passengers were badly injured. Brushing aside the thought, I got out of the coach. The jawan was still there and helped me to get down. He also pointed out to my bleeding mouth (I was actually slurring when I spoke to him) and blood on my shirtfront. He advised me, if I could walk, I should move towards the station to get medical attention.

 I started walking. There were others also walking towards the station. I reached a temporarily set up first-aid post. Someone examined and told me, that my upper lip was cut. The wound was deep and required stitches. He dressed the wound and kept a compress to prevent further bleeding. He asked me to get into a truck, waiting nearby. There were already 10-15 injured in the truck. I also got in. After about five minutes, the truck started. I looked at my watch. It was broken. The person sitting next to m e said it is 11.15. He added we are being taken to Krishnagiri, a town 60k.m away for treatment.

After an hour and half, the truck went into the Government hospital and stopped. Passengers with broken limbs were carried first and admitted. I, along with others got down and were taken in. The hospital made emergency provision to treat accident victims, including a couple of telephone lines with STD facility. I called my house and my office to inform that I am safe and waited for my turn for treatment. When my turn came, I was examined. My upper lip, below the nose was almost split open. I also lost a front tooth. It took three or four stitches. I had also sustained cuts and bruises on my body which were cleaned and dressed. After dressing, I rested for an hour, asked the doctor, whether I could go. He said I can, took my name and address and advised me to rest and report if there is any problem. I collected the medicines given to me.

I came out, got into an auto-rickshaw, and asked him to take me to any decent Hotel or Lodge. He took me to a decent looking hotel. I checked in after explaining to the receptionist about the bandage and blood-stains. As the news of accident had already spread, being a survivor, I got a good treatment of a good room and attention. The first thing I did after getting into the room was to change my shirt. Though famished, as I couldn’t eat anything solid, had some fruit juice and slept. I stayed for the next day and on the third day left for home.

It was really a freak accident.  I am narrating here, what I had seen and what I had later gathered from the media. There were two parallel tracks.  On one track, a goods train was proceeding towards Chennai. About two kilometers from Vaniyambadi, few coaches got de-coupled and were trailing behind. By the time the driver noticed the drop in vacuum and the brakes applied, the goods train had travelled about a kilometer. In the same track, Tiruvananthapuram mail was coming at full speed. Where the loose goods wagons were moving slowly, was a curve. So when the driver of the mail couldn’t see the wagons till the train approached the curve. By the time he noticed the wagons and applied the brake, it was too late. The impact was so severe, that the Engine was crushed and the first few coaches were mangled beyond recognition.

Both the driver and his assistant were killed instantly. Among the derailed coaches, the first two telescoped into one another. A few fell on the left side, sliding down the embankment,  and a few on the right side on the parallel track. At the same time, our train was cleared from Vaniyambadi station on the parallel track. On this track our train was moving at a fairly good speed. It collided with the fallen coaches of the Mail. Here also the driver was killed instantly. The time between the first accident and the second was hardly a few minutes. Unfortunately, many of the passengers, who were alive after the first accidents, were killed in the second.

More than a hundred were killed and nearly two hundred were injured. I was fortunate to have escaped with a cut upper lip, a broken tooth and a broken wrist watch. I still carry the scar. I had also sustained an injury, which I came to know much later. A slipped disc in my vertebrae and a crack in my lumber. Anyway I had learned to live with them. The pain had gone, but memories remain.

Accidents do not happen, they are caused..

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Reminiscence-Episode-1

Reminiscence

Earlier, I had published two articles. One on Doddamallur Ambegalu Krishna Temple, and the other on Perur Patteeswarar Temple. In both cases, apart from the magnificence of the deities, I have shared the beauty of the temple, its history, and the rich architecture. Before I go into the next article on another temple, I would like to make a temporary departure. Here, I would like to share interesting incidences occurred during my various tours, which I used to share with my friends and relatives. Among them, a professor, a writer and a poet used to insist, that my narration is interesting and I should pen them down. So here I go…..

During my career spanning four decades, barring the first seven years, rest of the years involved extensive travelling. Since I like travelling, irrespective of a few shortcomings, I enjoyed my career, as it gave me a chance to travel through the length and breadth of our country, and overseas. After doing justice to my work, I used every opportunity, to visit interesting places, observe the behavior of the people and understand their culture. These sojourns taught me patience, perseverance, tolerance and most of all, humility.

There were different incidences. Adventurous, Enlightening, Educative, Entertaining and a few were Touching. Each will be a journey through the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s and the millennium. Lot of time had gone past. Whichever I could recollect, I am going to narrate as an Episode (Of course not a mega serial!!!)

Episode-1 Water-a- wash

 It was one those rough monsoon time. I was in Hospet (Karnataka) following a client all the way from Bangalore. As he was expected the next day, I decided to spend the afternoon, visiting Tungabhadra Dam, to have a long stroll and to enjoy the scenery. It was a wonderful sight. Here, I would like to say a few words about this great river and the Dam.

Tungabhadra, is actually a combination of two rivers, Tunga and Bhadra. A dam was constructed across this river in Hosapete (now known as Hospet). Thirumalai Iyengar, an Engineer from Madras was the chief architect for this project. There is a general purpose hall in Hospet, named after him. Though proposed in the year 1860, the work began just before independence, in the year 1945. Bulk of the work was carried out between 1950-1953. It became fully operational in 1958. The dam measures 2441 meters long and 43.38 M high. It had an initial capacity of 135 Tmcft. There are 33 flood-gates, which are opened when the dam overflows. One end of the dam is in Hospet and the other end in Munirabad. Both ends have wonderful gardens.

I started walking from the Hospet end, continued along the dam, till I reached the centre. The dam was filled up to the brim and on every wave, water flowed over the floodgate onto the spill-way. The water level was so high, that I felt, that I could touch it with the tip of my umbrella. Then I continued and reached the Munirabad end. On this side also there is a nice garden. I rested for about 15 minutes. As it started raining, I returned to my hotel.

It was raining incessantly throughout the night. In the morning the rain stopped and the sky cleared.Around 7.00 am, I got up, rang for the room-boy (in those days, immaterial of the age, the person providing room service used to be called room-boy), ordered a cup of coffee and switched on the piped music system. (Those days, room-service by phone, CCTV were not known. Piped music itself was a luxury. Usually there will be two channels. One channel connected to the audio system operated by the manager/receptionist/telephone operator, and the other channel connected to the local radio station). Only the radio station was on, broadcasting devotional songs in the local language. By that time my coffee arrived. Sipping the coffee, I asked the room-boy, if he could get me a news paper. He said only Kannada paper is available, and I dismissed him. By that time news broadcast had started. As this was also in Kannada, which in anyway, I couldn’t understand. I switched it off, and started to get ready.

After a good breakfast in the restaurant in the ground floor, I went into the town to look for my customer, hopefully that he might have arrived. When I reached his place, I was informed that he did arrive the previous night, but left in the early morning to Gangavati. Gangavati is another small town about thirty k.m from Hospet, beyond Humpi. After collecting his address at Gangavati, I decided to go there.

As I didn’t want to rely on the local transport in the peak monsoon, I hired a car from Hospet and left for Gangavati. It was around 10.15 in the morning. The road was good, but there was negligible traffic. After travelling some distance, just before Anegondi, we came across a cause-way. It was fairly long, could be about 800 meters. About ankle deep water was flowing in the cause-way. As the current was strong, Raju, my driver drove slowly. When we were mid-way, we heard the roar of water, and before I could guess what is happening, I could see on my left side, a huge expanse of water rushing towards the end of the cause-way, which we just crossed, and spreading across. I shouted at Raju to step on it. By the time, we have crossed 75%; water started entering into the car and we could feel the car being pushed along the flow. From the extreme left end of the cause-way, we were already pushed beyond the center. Raju pushed hard and moved forward. With hardly about 30 meters left, we were closer to the right end of the cause-way. I shouted at Raju to shift to first gear, and push the throttle to the floor. At first Raju didn’t understand, but when I bent down to reach the gear shift lever, he got me and responded. The car, an old faithful Ambassador, responded too and literally leapt out of water on to the dry road. Raju drove another 100 meters and stopped the car. Both of us got down, and, when we looked back, we started shivering. The entire cause-way was submerged and water was flowing at break-neck speed.

Now that we cannot go back, we sat in the car for a few minutes to steady our nerves. After about ten minutes, I told Raju to drive towards Gangavati. Since, it will take another forty five minutes to reach Gangavati, let me explain what really had happened.

The previous day, when I was on the top of the dam, I had noticed that the water level was up to the brim and each wave was pushing the water over the flood-gate. In view of the heavy inflow, the authorities have decided to open the flood gates. This was published in the paper and was also announced in the radio. One the one hand, I could not get an English news paper and on the other my lack of knowledge of Kannada, prevented me from getting the warning from the radio news broadcast. To add to my woes, the driver, though had a local newspaper, kept it on the dash board, to read later. So, I was totally un-aware, what was in store, which resulted in the near mis-adventure.

After about forty five minutes drive, I reached the entrance to Gangavati town, only to be met by another cause-way. This of course was smaller. About a foot deep of water was flowing. People have gathered on both the sides of the causeway. A truck and a few cars were crawling ahead. We also joined and inched our way forward. After crossing three fourths of the distance, the left front wheel got into a pot-hole, and was struck. I got down from the car and tried to push it, but to no avail.

That was the moment I understood the purpose of the crowd of people on either side of the cause-way. They were not mere on-lookers, but were on a help-and-rescue mission. About a dozen youngsters rushed towards us with hooks, thick manila ropes, crow-bars etc. Together they practically lifted the car from the pot-hole. Then they attached hooks and ropes to the car and dragged it ashore. They refused to accept cash, which I offered. Thanking them profusively, I left in search of my customer’s house.

As he happened to be a senior level politician, it was not difficult to locate his house. In the house, I was met by his secretary, who bade me to sit, and offered a cup of hot coffee. After my ordeal, the hot coffee really helped. Then he broke the news that my customer had left an hour ago, but refused to tell me where he went. After explaining to him, that I had travelled all the way from Madras (Chennai)to meet him, and will not return without seeing him. Then, reluctantly he informed, that his master had proceeded to his farm-house for a couple of days’ rest, and not to be disturbed. But, after undergoing such a chilling, thrilling experience, which I just underwent, at the cost of my life, I decided to disturb him.

The secretary had no option, but to give the location of the farm-house. It was in a village, about fifteen kilometers away, called Boodhaguppe. By around 3.00 pm I reached the farm-house. On my knock, a servant opened the door. I gave my card and told him to announce me to his master. After a few minutes my customer came out. His face expressed surprise, irritation and anger like a psychedelic show. He looked at my card again and his face softened. The first question he asked me is, how did I locate him. When I explained, he was astonished. Though he was upset at being disturbed, he appreciated my efforts in meeting him, to the extent of risking my life.

He invited me to another chamber and offered some snacks and coffee, and started discussing the purpose of my visit. It was around 4.00 p.m. I got up to take my leave. He suggested that I may travel upto Gangavati, and take the road to Kampli, and at Kampli, to turn right to Kamalapur, and then to Hospet. This may be a longer route, but I can avoid cause-ways. I took his directions and reached my hotel by sunset. It is needless to say, that I concluded the deal.