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'Bikaner' |
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Three vertices of Indian desert triangle
- Jaisalmer, Barmer and Bikaner-where my husband is transferred from
Mussoorie-The queen of hills. Amidst snow clad mountains, thick lush green trees
of Deodar, Oaks and rose creepers, I was in my dreamland, imagining self as
a proud queen surrounded by courtiers wearing silver crown and guard men
putting on dark green uniform and there my 'King' comes and declares his
transfer order. My dreams evaporated by mere thought of 50 degree Celsius
temperature. I started packing. On 15th Dec., my journey from snow to sand began with
a feeling of' "Heaven to Hell'. Travelling in a meter-gauge train, feeling outdated,
reached the destination. As I was getting down, involuntary smile with
sparkles in eyes appeared, by witnessing different groups-some with garlands
and most of them with gesture of warm welcome-a rare scene on most platforms.
I too was elevated by ceremonial welcome. From the station to a rented house,
the taxi driver was boasting about places one by one as we were passing by.
I was not responding to his enthusiastic information, as a peculiar foul
smell-the origin of which I could not reason out, led me to cover my
nostrils, all along the way. Although I was listening to his commentary. When
I got down to my house, I saw uncovered drain all along, loitering pigs,
barking stray dogs, bony cows searching blades of grass from scattered
green-pink polythene bags, again annoyed me. Visualizing my state of
hatred, the escort informed about 'The great Nala' of Bikaner.-the
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After
few days, I thought of going to 'Rat temple' as I heard of its uniqueness.
Reached, impressed by majestic, beautifully carved entrance of marble and
huge silver gates. I was eager to bow 'Karni Mata'-the Goddess of Bikaner.
Surprisingly my usual devotional feeling-'Bhakti Bhav' eloped at the sight
of scampering rodents in deity zone. My hygienic reasoning took over
religious feeling and I rushed out of that bill of mice ,sitting on 'Prasad'
offered by devotees. I was depressed as I could not offer my prayers to 'Karni
Mata' but astonished to witness people praying with full devotion, waiting
patiently for a glimpse of one white rodent appearing off and on from a
hole of a door. There echoes! 'Jai Kaba' 'Jai Mata'. Truly, fear and belief
expressed by any individual are reflections of one's state of mind. While
returning I was observing a long stretch of sand with few 'Khejari' trees
and few patches of green farms with sprinkling water. My taxi driver was
busy telling about the history of 'Deshnok' temple, 'Kabas'-the rodents and
the power of 'Karni Mata'. Suddenly, to my surprise I felt I am in a land of
gold surrounded by golden jewels embedded by emeralds- precious stones. Vow! silvery
crowns are left behind and my anxious mind started exploring gold mines of
Bikaner.