Konkan Kashi

 It was a Sunday morning, bright and sunny. With the Northeast monsoon outsetting, it was all greenery around.

We were pleased to get an invite from a local devotee to visit the place.

We set out in the morning. A long drive through the scenic route, also crossing the river by ferry. There was no other way out, we had to go through a ferry. What else the nature lovers ask for? It has been many years since we went by ferry. As far as I remember we have not been through ferry since the Mandovi bridge came into existence. 

We reached the ferry point and waited for it to come, noticing the scenic beauty, greenery and shining river water in the bright sun.( I remembered the song shining upon the sea like a pearl in the ocean….)

A beautiful island amidst river Mandovi, Divar island.

We reached the place enquiring about the route with the locals. 

A beautifully carved temple at the banks of the river surrounded by greenery. We entered the temple, a cool place with noise of only birds chirping around, outside.

We offered our prayers and waited for some time. Meanwhile I overheard the pujari telling some aspects of the temple to other pujari. I waited until he gets free to know more.

It seems people often decide to get their mortal remains immersed over here after they die. Even our great Dayanand Bandodkars hasti was immersed over here.

It is called Konkan Kashi. Such a holy place. I was surprised. We only know about such evidence of our ancestors' spiritual practices only when we are told.

We only came to know when we asked him. Much more to pen down but words are scanty. It's a God with power of offering, grace of hope in exceptional cases. He even grew plants from dried wood. So you know why I said exceptional cases. “Jaha umeed nahi vaha asha ki kiran hai”.

We had been to Kashi in UP but never knew we had a Kashi close to our hometown. People do visit the place.

It is waiting for the Government to clean the bushes and give some renovations around the banks of the river for the devotees to offer prayers and touch the river water. Let's see when. Until then enjoy the drive to the place and be blessed.