‘Devotee Diaries’ Series- 14th July 2021

‘Devotee Diaries’ Series—Devotees from India and around the world reminisce about Yatras, Kathas and magical milestone moments in their life journey with Pujya Bhaishri. Would you like to share how an experience has impacted you? Email contactus@sandipani.org

Shyam Patel from London, UK, shares—

It was August 2018, during the Wembley Katha, when Pritesh and I heard Pujya Gurudev—who was due to recite a Ram Katha in Bali later that year (November). We had always spoken about going to a ‘destination Katha’, yet at this point, it was only just a dream. Fast forward a few weeks and we made the big decision to book our flights and hotel for the Katha. We met at London Heathrow with our thepla and naashto packed in our hand luggage, not quite believing that we were on our way to Bali for a tropical Katha recited by Gurudev.

During the long (very long) flight, we spoke about how amazing this experience would be, as neither of us had attended an overseas Katha before, but what kept us thinking was—how and where were we going to get flowers from, to make a haar (garland) for Gurudev, as we only had approximately 3-4 hours from the point of landing to the Katha starting. On our way to the hotel, we kept looking out of the window for a shop that sold flowers, but we didn’t come across any, and thought it just wasn’t going to be our day. Shortly after, we saw flowers and shouted ‘stop’ at the driver, “we need flowers, we need flowers,” and we were in luck.

Now back at the hotel, we sat in our room, both busy with a soy-doro (needle and thread) trying to make the haars and wondering what they would look like, without the help of our mums. Rest assured, they looked pretty good! It was definitely a memorable and fun moment!

We made our way to the Katha venue and awaited the arrival of Pujya Gurudev with fellow devotees from across the world. It was just so surreal—tropical warm weather, besides the beach; we just couldn’t believe we were actually at the Katha! Then, the moment we were awaiting, Pujya Gurudev arrived and said, “tame pochigya (‘You’re here’),” with a wide smile. We were so excited for the Katha and knew it was going to be incredible.

It was such an amazing experience, everything from listen to my first Ramayan recited by Pujya Gurudev, in a country where the Ramayan and Hindu culture is a big part of everyday life; to watching the Balinese traditional ‘Kecak’ dance (Balinese rendition of the Ramayan as a theatre play); to listening to a pravachan by Pujya Gurudev at the beach. It was by far the best trip I’ve ever had abroad, nine days full of fun, joy and excitement, but most importantly, nine days where I was able to embrace the Katha, enlighten my knowledge and be in the presence of Pujya Gurudev.

I hope you enjoyed this short snippet of a my journey and memories of the Bali Katha in 2018.

Jai Shri Krishna.

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