Chapter 11 - 'Waheguru'

I visited the 'Mata Vaishno Devi Temple' after two decades. I traveled from Katra to 'Maa Vaishno Devi Bhavan' on foot. After that, I visited the 'Bhairo Baba Temple'. I came back downstairs. This entire journey took just 11 hours.

Both of my legs were swollen very badly, and I was having great difficulty taking even a single step. When I reached my hotel, my legs were aching so much. I avoided taking any painkillers. I went to sleep.

I had my confirmed return ticket booked from Jammu to my native place the day after next in the evening. I changed my plan (or rather, Waheguru changed it for me). I cancelled my return train ticket scheduled for the day after tomorrow. 

I booked a bus from Katra to Amritsar for the next day evening.

I had whole day time available. I planned for the 'Shivkhori Temple'. Both of my legs recovered a little bit. But still, I had swelling in both legs.

I took the bus for a return trip from Katra to 'Shivkhori Temple' at 11 AM.

The bus stopped at a temple midway. I had to climb down the stairs. People were watching me because I couldn't even walk properly.

But I didn't give up. I kept my strength. I had darshan. I came back to the bus.

We finally reached the Shivkhori Temple at 3 PM. The journey took four hours. The bus coordinator gave us until 7 PM to return.

It was some 4 KM padyatra (trek). Horses were available. But I decided to go on foot.

Both of my legs were in very bad condition. But I was receiving energy from GOD.

I reached 'Shivkhori Temple'. Every single step was like a mission for me. My turn came. I was carrying my mobile.

I was asked to go down and submit my mobile at the luggage counter. I climbed down. I submitted my mobile. I stood in the queue again. There were thousands of pilgrims who came for darshan that day.

I entered the cave after 1 hour. The cave is very narrow. You have to move carefully inside.

I had my darshan. I took my luggage back from the counter. I started the return padyatra (trek) to the base. We were supposed to reach by 7 PM. I reached the bus point at around 6:45 PM.

I had tea. My legs were completely worn out.

Everyone came at around 7 PM. One couple was doing photography. They came 1 hour late. It was 8 PM now.

My bus from Katra to Amritsar was scheduled for 12 AM midnight. I thought it was very close. It took 4 hours in the daytime to reach 'Shivkhori Temple'. If we start now and don't stop the bus anywhere, then we might reach Katra at around 12 AM.

At 9 PM, the bus stopped at a restaurant for dinner for 1 hour.

Now I was sure that I would miss my bus for Amritsar. I had my dinner.

There was a family in the bus. They were standing because they couldn't get a place to sit. The lady was holding a baby. I offered my seat to that lady. 

I didn't look at my watch. It was a dark night. My eyes were closed for some time.

A miracle happened.

I don't know how. I reached Katra at 11:45 PM. I had 15 minutes left.

I ran. I almost threw my room keys and room rent at the reception of the hotel. I took my bag from my room at first floor. I checked out in just 60-90 seconds.

I searched for a taxi or auto-rickshaw to reach the bus pickup point. I reached the bus pickup point at 11:58 PM. It was very close.

Now my journey started for Amritsar. I reached Amritsar the next day morning. I asked the rickshaw driver to take me to the 'Golden Temple'. I searched for a hotel nearby. I couldn't get one easily. The rooms were not really good and tariffs were unreasonable.

Luckily, I got a very good room within the precincts of the 'GOLDEN Temple' only. Now the 'Golden Temple' entry gate was very close.

I had a bath in the early morning itself. I went for darshan at around 5:30 AM. It was an amazing view. I had a "wow" feeling.

There was a big queue. Both of my legs were still swelling.

It rained too. But I didn't leave the queue. I stood in the queue for 3 hours.

I had my darshan at the 'Golden Temple'.  After a while, I realized that the pain in my legs had vanished. 

I came back to my hotel. Now I needed to plan for my return to my hometown.

There was no direct bus. I checked for trains, but no train was available. I enquired about a taxi, but it was not available either. I checked for a tatkal ticket. It was not available.

I gave up. I thought that I would go by changing buses after taking some rest.

I closed my eyes. I received some instruction from God in my dream.

It was about the premium tatkal option. I checked for the same on the IRCTC app. I got a confirmed ticket.

I had proper rest. I started my final return journey to my native place.

I reached my hometown railway station before the original return train booked earlier.

It was all the blessings of 'Waheguru' to me.

जय माता दी।

ॐ नमः शिवाय।

वाहेगुरु वाहेगुरु।