Trip to Shree Mahaveerji

I have gone to Mahavirji on the last weekend. I was accompanied by my family members - my wife, my parents and my sister, her husband, their son and sister's husband's(jiyajee's) nephew Abhijit.
We have started on 18 December 2005. We boarded Indore Nizamuddin express(2415) at 16.05 IST. We have reached Mahavirji at 02:32 IST. It was a very cold night. We caught a bus from railway station to Mandir. Temple's trust used to operate that bus. It was free of cost. Of course you can donate some my if you want while you are in bus.
We reached Mandiram in 15 minutes. Temple is 7 KM away from the railway station. There was a temple's reception nearby. We enquired about the accomodation. Several accomodation options were available. 2 bed room , 4 bed room , AC , non AC. so many. We opted for a 6 person room with AC(though later we found that there was not AC ). Rooms were clean and well managed. They have charged good 600/- per day for that room. But charges were worth the services and comfort. Such management is rare is pilgrims.
We went to sleep for 3-4 hours and wake up at 8 in the morning. After taking bath and getting ready we started our darshanam.

Historical Importance of Shree Mahaveerji: It is believed that once upon a time there was a cow owner. He noticed that since last few days his cow was not giving enough milk. He suspected theft. He thought that someone is surely taking away the milk from the cow. Next morning he followed his cow silently. He observed that the cow stopped near one rock. After that milk automatically started coming out on that rock. He informed this to the King. King ordered excavation at that place. After digging they have founed Jain idol of Lord Mahavira there. Since then that place is famous

So we have done normal darshan in Mahavirji. Did 9 rounds of pradikshana around Mool pratima. chanting 108 verses of Namokar Mantra. After that we lit diya of 1.25 KGs of pure ghee. The mool pratima is covered with glass and is not used for normal prakshal daily as per the suggestion by the archaelogical department. Then we went to the place where this incident of cow happened. Offered milk there. Then we had lunch at a place there only. The bhojanashala was also operated under the trust. Then we hired a trax for Rs. 1500/- and started our Journey to Bharatpur and Mehandipur

Bharatpur - We reached bharatpur in 2 and half hours. It is about 135 KMs from Mahavirji. Bharatpur is known for the Kevaladeo National Park formerly called Bird Sanctuary. There are altogether 3500 bird species found there. Around 2000 are local birds and around 1500 are migratory birds. We have hired for auto rikshaws @ 50/- per rikshaw per hour. We spent 2 hours altogether.
Experience in Bharatpur was unique. Very little I remember. They say that 90% of the migratory birds are vegetarian. They eat grasses. Places like Siberia experience heavy snowfall. After snowfall grasses hide under thick ice. So these birds come to such a far off places. I remember about paddy bird. Paddy is like rice. The outer shell is brown and the inner thing is white. Same is about this bird. From outside it looks brown but when it flies it turns pure white. We have seen Kingfisher, snake bird which looks like a snake, Painted Stork which looks like some novice painter had painted strokes on it. Many birds and animals use to buid their homes in the middle of marsh land and water. They do that to save their children. Hunting animals like jackals and wild dogs cannot cross this water and marsh so their children are safe.
We have seen how weaver birds build their nests. Both weave their nest using straws. Initially they build only 4-5 nests. Then female chooses or selects on of those nests. Then both of them start building the 'chosen' nest. After finishing their dream house male constructs his small dwelling separately and thus they leave. One bird, I forgot the name, use to eat a lot first. Then when she returns to the nest kids asked for food by signalling their beaks up and down, down and up. Then mother bird vomits her food and thus feed her children. There are many other things I forgot. But altogether it was a nice experience. We have visited to Lord Kewaladeo temple also. Amazingly the mythological story of Kewaladeo was also the same as Shri Mahaveerji story. Same cow, farmer , milk etc. Rikshawalas were saying that because of bird flu thread tourist visits are very very less now a days. Otherwise in this season they used to earn a lot. Even now there were considerable number of tourists.

Mehandipur - After Bharatpur we have started for Mehandipur. We reached there at 7 PM. At Mehandipur there is famous Mehandipur Wale balaji. We reached there in 1 and half hour to 2 hours time. There were many devotees there. The normally procedure to pay homage there is to place 'Arji' while going there. And when you return back then also you have to place another 'Arji'. 'Arji' to Balaji Bhagwan. Since we have went for a very short we directly visited 2 Mandirs there. Collected ash from the Mandirs and water from the front of Mandir. This ash and water are the two things for which the place is mostly known for. Both this things used as Chamatkarik elements. We collected both had our dinner and left for Shri Mahaveerji.

We reached Mahavirjee at 10 PM. Took rest for 2 hours and left for raiway station at 12 PM. Again trust's bus was there. Caught Nizamuddin Indore (2416) at 3 AM. Train was late by one hour.

Nagda - I and Rohita got down at Nagda at 9 AM. We were very tired. Apart for the tiredness of the journey we could not sleep for the last two nights because of the chilling winter. We reached Vikas' house. Had our breakfast as Poha, kachori and jalebi. And 2 teas above that. After taking bath we had lunch. The biggest part was our meeting with Vishy and Bhabhiji. Really, we were desparate to meet them both. But circumstances did not allowed us. After a short nap we caught Indore Nagda passeger at 3.15 PM and reached Ujjain at 5 PM. From there we caught a bus and reached Indore by 6.30 PM IST on 18 december 2005.

Things we have missed -

• We have not visited all the temples in Shree Mahaveerji. There are other famous temples. But as things were not planned in a better fashion we missed that. Also we have not planned the charity money in advance. Though somehow we managed to do it but it should be planned. Actually we wanted to donate some money in the name of my Mamaji. Also we should have done one Puja in Mahaveerji. It is very important.
• Time was very very less in Bharatpur. Out of 3500 species we have hardly seen 15 species. People used to stay there for several weeks.
• There is a place called Kaila Devi near Shree Mahaveerji. We wanted to visit there. But due to shortage of time we could not do that.
• Apart from these there are famous Jain temples of Shree Tijara ji and one more place I forgot. But again, we could not spare time for that. In Nagda we missed Vikas very badly. Also I wanted to visit few of my friends house. Nitin saw me and felt bad that I have not visited his house or atleast called him.

Lessons Learnt:

• Know about the place you are visiting in every detail.
• Pack your essentials yourself. Rohita didn't packed the magazines and books.
• Know the places around. Talk to someone who has already visited the place.
• Have a clear cut plans about the things you want to do at the main place you are visiting. Surrounding places are optional. You can skip visiting there. But at the main place you should do everything to your contentment.