It wasn’t a perfectly planned trip. I was never a very religious person. That is the reason why I never enjoyed visiting religious places of India. The thought of a pilgrimage brought back to my mind memories of unhygienic tantriks ruining the beauty of sacred rivers in the name of holy bath.
My Friend Becomes a ‘Nimitta’
My friend Shashi had an assignment to complete on holy cities of India. While he had visited most of the holy cities, Mathura still remained unexplored. He asked me whether I would accompany him on the journey and I somehow could not refuse. That is how Shashi became a Nimitta for my Mathura trip.
The Train Journey to Mathura
The trip from Agra to Mathura by train was not really tiring. It was just an hour’s journey and I had carried a book to read. I had a small nap and this brought back tales of Lord Krishna that my mother recited to me when I was a child. Something made me decide to visit the famous temple in Mathura.
Our Stay in The Hotel Nearby
We travelled from Agra Cantonment to Mathura Junction by train. We reached the Mathura Junction Train Station on time. I searched the Cleartrip App and found a good hotel for stay close to the station.
Hotel Basera Vrindavan was a simple hotel with all necessary amenities for bachelor stay. The hotel manager here suggested that we should visit the Govardhan Hill and the Govinddeo Temple. Shashi was all set to click photographs of the journey.
Our Shopping Experience
Being the birthplace of Lord Krishna, the place has several vendors selling mementos of Lord Krishna. They also have beautiful options in yellow silk that was supposed to be worn by Lord Krishna.
The Spiritual Awakening
I have never been a spiritual person. Infact, I have despised the fake feelings of satisfaction that have keep people away from effort. I have often assumed that spiritual thought keeps people satisfied and prevents them from achieving things in life.
But, when we were both wandering the bazaars of Mathura, I came across this man who seemed extremely happy. He was poor and shattered. He was an artist and painted amazing heart touching pictures of Lord Krishna. I was willing to pay a few hundred for that painting he made. But he gave it to me for free.
He said he enjoyed making these beautiful pictures. That joy of creating such pictures was enough to drive away pain, sorrow and melancholy. It gave him immense happiness that money could never buy. It was a different feeling for me. I felt spiritually awakened. I understood that life is beyond what we see and understand.
The Return Journey
Shashi was happy to have completed the assignment at hand. While returning, I felt a heavy heart. I wish to visit Mathura again, next time all alone.
