Anaadi Volunteer shares her experience of a Baba at our Anna Daana Bhandar
It was the second day of the grand Kumbh Mela, a sacred gathering of millions of devotees and ascetics from across the country and beyond. The air was charged with the sound of conch shells, the rhythmic chants of "Har Har Mahadev," and the fragrance of incense mingling with the scent of the sacred river. Our Anna Daana Bhandar, a humble offering of food to pilgrims, was set up early that morning, brimming with enthusiasm and devotion. The kitchen had been abuzz with activity preparing simple yet nourishing meals infused with love and care.
We had meticulously planned to serve a certain number of yatris (pilgrims), estimating the numbers based on the previous day’s turnout. As the bhandar opened its doors, we served the first wave of yatris with gratitude in our hearts. However, as the hours passed, the flow of pilgrims seemed to reduce. We realized we had served barely half of what we had prepared. The food, though lovingly cooked and ready, remained untouched by the crowd we had anticipated.
Our team gathered, glancing at the pots brimming with food and exchanging anxious looks. Where were the yatris? Would the prasad we had prepared with such devotion go unshared? Just as we were thinking, an elderly Baba appeared at our bhandar, his serene demeanor and radiant smile instantly bringing a sense of calm.
We welcomed him warmly, inviting him to partake in the bhojanam. Baba, however, politely declined, explaining that he was observing a vrata and could not eat. Instead, he accepted our invitation to rest for a while in our kendra. Sitting down on a simple mat, his presence exuded an aura of quiet strength and unwavering faith.
Observing our eager faces, Baba, sensing our concern, asked about the anna daana. We shared our thoughts, explaining that we were awaiting more yatris to fulfill our offering for the day. Hearing this, Baba chanted in a booming voice, "Har Har Mahadev!" The sound reverberated through the air, carrying a fantastic energy.
To our astonishment, within moments, a large group of women, draped in vibrant saris appeared. They were a lively, joyful bunch, and their laughter filled the air as they approached our bhandar. With folded hands, we welcomed them and served them the prasad with great reverence. Their gratitude and smiles lightened our hearts.
As we were marveling at this sudden influx, another group of yatris arrived, their faces weary from their journey but lit with relief at the sight of food. In the next thirty minutes, our bhandar was buzzing with activity, and the previously untouched food disappeared rapidly into the hands of the hungry pilgrims. More and more came and we had to direct them to the next bhandar.
The food we had so anxiously worried about was completely served. Not a morsel was left, and every yatri who had come to our bhandar left with a satisfied heart and a blessing on their lips. We looked around, amazed and deeply moved by what had just transpired.
Turning to Babaji, we thanked him profusely for his intervention.
He met Shriman ji and came out of the tent with excitement. He said he felt great fulfilment in life meeting Shriman and inturn thanked us for the darshan. A day of mutual gratitude!
That day, the bhandar was not just a place of anna daana but a lesson in surrender, faith, and the magic of the divine flow. Every time we heard a distant "Har Har Mahadev" thereafter, it echoed not just in the air but deep within our hearts, a reminder of the old baba and the power of unwavering devotion.
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