*Dev Badri Shaligram*
After reaching our room, we received a call on our phone — it was from the temple official! He said that he wished to come and meet Babaji in our room. I agreed and welcomed him to come. After a short while, he arrived with a friend.
He brought with him the mala (garland) from the Lord’s temple and some of the Lord’s bhog (offering). He handed me a bag of bhog and placed the mala around my neck. Then he put garlands on everyone who had come with me. Receiving such grace filled us with immense joy and peace.
He told us that he had been serving Lord Badrinath for the past 47 years, and that his ancestors had come from Kerala. He looked after all the temple arrangements and said his life was deeply blessed through this divine service. Then he said, “Babaji, I have come to invite you for Badrinath Ji’s evening aarti. It is my wish that you attend.” He added, “You may bring one person along, since the aarti attendance is pre-booked and very crowded. I can arrange entry for one companion with you inside the temple.”
I replied, “No, that’s not possible! I have 30 people with me — I will not go alone.”
But my children said, “Babaji, please go. It would be such a happy moment for us if our Babaji attends the aarti.”
I said, “Absolutely not — if I go, I will go with all of you!”
Then I told the official, “These are the devotees who have walked the pilgrimage with me. I cannot go without them.”
When he heard that we had come on foot, his face lit up with joy.
He said, “Ah! You’ve brought back old memories — in earlier times, people used to walk all the way here!” He was truly delighted to hear that.
We spoke for quite some time about Badrinath and the other divine places nearby. He expressed his wish that we visit every year. After a long and warm conversation, he again invited us to come to the temple in the evening. I assured him, “Yes, I will definitely come with everyone.” Then he left.
As evening arrived, everyone got ready once again to go to the temple. They all said, “Babaji, please take us inside the temple again!” I smiled and said, “Why not? The Lord Himself will call us again!”
I was also excited to have darshan of the Shaligram, because the temple official — or perhaps the chief priest — had told me he would personally show me the sacred stone.
We made our way through the crowd and entered the temple once again. Just like in the morning, everything felt divine — chants and mantras filled the air. We got another opportunity to witness the worship of the Lord up close.
No one was asking God for anything — because in that state of divine grace, all worldly desires felt small and meaningless. When the Lord Himself showers such boundless love, what else remains to be sought?
Lost in that bliss, we didn’t even realize when we had come out into the temple courtyard again. Everyone’s eyes were moist with joy. Then we walked toward the temple of Goddess Lakshmi.
Just like in the morning, all of us together sang hymns in Her praise. The form of the Divine Mother was supremely enchanting. As we had Her darshan, our hearts overflowed with devotion and peace…
*To be continued…*