(Resumed this post on 8th June 2024 at BLR airport.....the actual date it started and was left midway was 29th june 2023)
This Pondicherry trip was all about soul's calling, and today (10th June 2023) was the time to tick the most awaited one on my callings list.
I woke up around four in the morning. Stationed at a sea-facing accommodation of The Park guesthouse, I stayed in my bed with eyes closed, soaking in the sounds around me, especially the sea waves crashing off the stones on a waning moon period. It was a blissful feeling.
Today, I planned to visit Chidambaram temple of Lord Natraja and had purposely chosen it to be on Saturday as it is Shiva's/ Shani Bhagwan (God's) day. By around five, I started to get ready. The day felt calmer with it being a weekend but my mind was buzzing with excitement to embark on this journey to a new region - my very first among the locals and on local transportations - Tamilnadu Bus transportation.
What added more vigour was the rich history and cultural belief that I learned a few days ago, from a colleague while we shared a cab ride back from office to home.
The temple is sprawls across approximately 40 acres in the city of Chidambaram ("stage of consciousness"), located at earth's equator, making it more elevated in terms of consciousness. A Google search beautifully elaborated: "The name of the town of this shrine, Chidambaram comes from the Tamil word Chitrambalam (also spelled Chithambalam) meaning 'wisdom atmosphere'. The roots are citta or chitthu, means consciousness or wisdom, and ambalam means 'atmosphere'.
This name and place touched a chord in my heart. I felt a spark of joy, reassured by my colleague's words: "It could be your calling. Else, no one gets to be there unless it's an invitation from the Lord". I was awestruck and deeply grateful, realizing incredibly magical to receive a message through Divine channels - and here it was, through my colleague. Such events has happened several times on past journeys where I met this colleague, and we discussed at length not just the location but also emotions, meditations, spiritual practices, Ooty, Pondicherry, temples etc
Back in Pondy, I got ready and stepped out of The Park guesthouse with my backpack stuffed with a few travel essentials: a water bottle, wallet and Kindle. I was about to take a left turn towards the Auto parking to catch one, but as I stepped out of the main gate, I saw the rising sun shining brightly. It warmed my face and exposed parts of my body. The gentle kiss of the the morning breeze and the sound of waves carried a message for my heart to "listen". This compelled me to change direction and head towards my right to the Rock beach (promenade or Gandhi Beach). I sat on a black rock and let the deep gratitude surface in my being. My heart thanked Mother Nature, The beach/ Sea God, and those waves for making my trip so soulful, unfolding with amazing soul-lifting experiences - people, places, walks in the town, deep conversations with the sea (one like this today), food, and even the upcoming trip to Chidambaram. In my heart, I bowed down in gratitude, sought blessings of Sea God, and started towards the bus stand.
New nouns - people, place, things or ideas - always put me in a bit of a rush and cause anxiety. With that, I reached the uncrowded Pondicherry bus depot. I spotted a few buses parked along the zig-zag platforms, and then my eyes was hooked at one point, seeing a few young girls dresses in Bharatanatyam dancer costumes. Some of them were accompanied by their mothers or someone elderly. The bus stand never felt this colorful and lively, but it was short-lived as my mind was interrupted by the time check, I needed to commence my Journey sooner to be able to catch my evening train from Pondicherry back to Bangalore. But something in my heart said, "I am up for a eventful day today"💝
I approached the ticket counter to inquire about the earliest and direct bus to Chidambaram, but my natural instinct directed me towards a bus conductor standing nearby. He informed me that direct buses to Chidambaram are limited on Saturndays and that for a quicker journey, I should board a bus to Cuddalore leaving in next 15 minutes, followed by another bus to Chidambaram. I had no choice but to follow his instructions. It was still early morning, and I was fasting. I thought it would be better to have some snacks as backup, if I start to feel famished.
Looking for a canteen, I was disappointed. Soon, the bus signaled for boarding.Approaching the bus, I joined the queue behind a young girl named Sindhuja. Her demeanor was composed and humble, suggesting someone easy to talk to. Her eyes sparkled with the same kind of passion for a dream held close to heart. (similar to, that I use to have in earlier years of my life :))
Dressed in a colorful saree, wrapped in a Bharatanatyam dancer's costume and gracefully adorned with gold jewelry from head to toe, she was a blissful treat for the eyes. Her makeup accentuated her expressions. She was waiting to board the bus with her mom, and something urged me to ask them about the route and how to best navigate my journey, including any connecting buses. Her mom assured me this was the earliest bus and that I could board as well. (This is my personal learning: sometimes locals know best and are more reliable than internet information.)
While selecting seats, I took the seat right ahead of Sindhuja's mom and I saw that she insisted Sindhuja to sit next to me. I was waiting for the bus to commence the journey so that I can ask her all about her journey etc.
Embarked on an odyssey, there I was with Sindhuja. The baby girl and a dancer. Lover of Shiva who by her dance wants to meet Shiva.
Conversations with her, left me wondering - how such tender life can be so insightful. She educated me about her dance exams and how they are conducted, a bit about different levels that a Dancer scaleup to.
I adored the way she said - Bharatham and She explained the significance of the dance form. I felt magical in her presence and deeply sensed as if she was introduced to me by seer planning of the Divine. Sindhuja also introduced me to the lord of Dance - Natraja. She explained a bit about Jiva and Jin. With that spark in her eyes she shared a bit about 'Karuna' the youngest girl in her dance class and how she loved her.
Switching from topics of dance, to lord, to devotion and to her alcoholic father's demise earlier this year and how wearing Rudraksha in the belief that her devotion and elevated being will be protected. She also shared that in her devotion to Lord Shiva, she has left consuming Non-veg food and is encouraging her mother to avoid it too
She also had a chance to perform with a group of dancers from her dance academy (Sri Udhayam Natiyalaya) for a renowned Tamil TV channel and the group performance was greatly appreciated by judges. I too loved watching the rushed video of powerful dance performance and was left speechless.
I had totally lost the track of time and while we were discussing how her close nit dance
group fell apart due to misunderstandings, jealousy, mean behaviour among the members the bus conductor gestured (as I do not understand Tamil language) at me in a rushed way that I have already missed my stop; and I have arrived at Chidambaram and that signal took me by complete surprise and I froze for a moment as the whole bus was looking at me at the back seat.
In that panic and embarrassment, I couldn't even turn back to see-off Sindhuja and express my deepest gratitude for her time, sharing and so much of warmth that she expressed towards me. A part of me still questions...was I dreaming, was I in conversations with my younger self...what connected me so deeply with her? And the best part is - I made a metal note when I seeked her introduction. Sindhu ( drawn from Sindoor) + Ja (some french connection as she was born and brought at pondicherry).
Sharing a little video from my journey.
(More details about another magical unfolding in my next post...)
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