A ride from Germany to Nilachal for nirvana
GUWAHATI: Little did Derik know that one day he would embrace Hinduism and develop a fascination so strong in it that he would name his daughter after Sita. Now known as Chatpatdas Tyagi, the cabbie from Constance Lake in Germany was on Tuesday spotted in front of Kamakhya Temple atop Nilachal Hills, where he has come to attend the holy Ambubachi Mela and "attain nirvana". The two-time Maha Kumbh visitor, who converted to Hinduism in 1983, has turned up to the Ambubachi Mela for the first time to witness various myths of Hinduism and how the country performed hundreds of rituals. "I am not here to spread religion or chant mantras. But I want to attain nirvana here. The search for Moksh has drawn me to the Nilachal hills. I have heard a lot about the Mela and wanted be a part of it someday. I am thankful to the God for giving me this opportunity to be a part of this holy festival," said the sadhu. Overwhelmed by the hospitality from his fellow devotees, Tyagi said the festival had a lot of potential to attract tourists and also students who wanted to carry on research of Indian religions. The traveler sadhu added that the Mela can be a hot spot for photographers alike. "The Mela has every ingredient of becoming an internationally famous festival. I have visited many places and I can say that Ambubachi Mela is one of most attractive gathering of people. It can be a subject of research for many enthusiasts and for photographic documentation as well. I will surely convey this message to my friends in Germany," Tyagi added. Tyagi, who has been in constant touch with his 19-year-old daughter Sita, presently studying fashion designing in Constance, said already he was sharing every bit of his experience with his family and friends. "My daughter can fluently recite Hanuman Chalisa and is very fond of India, especially Assam. When she heard about my visit she was very excited. She has been asking me to send pictures but I don't have a camera. However, I am sharing every moment the experience with her," he said. Tyagi's tourist visa will expire on February 2013, but he announced to return to India to continue his divine journey. "I went home in 2009 to participte in my daughter's eighteenth birthday. My visa will expire in 2013 but I will once again be back to India. I want to be here as long as I can," he smiled. The Constance Lake resident had left his home more than 15 years back and been traveling to the divine destinations of India and Nepal. Till Tuesday, more than three lakh visitors have already turned up for the fair. Besides Tyagi, one researcher from Switzerland and two women from Holland were some more visitors from foreign countries. Every year, hundreds of travelers or devotees flock to Ambubachi Mela from abroad. "Every year we welcome many foreigners and tourists from outside the country. We try to give them every facility they ask for," said Nava Kanta Sarma, president of the Kamakhya Debutter Board, the organizing committee of the fair. The Ambubachi Mela is related to the Tantric cult and is also known as Kamkhya Devi Puja.
Four round-the-clock helplines will be in place for pilgrims, tourists and visitors facing any kind of problem atop Nilachal Hills during this year’s Ambubachi Mela.
ReplyDeleteThe Kamrup (metro) district administration has set up a control room for smooth conduct of the annual event while Guwahati Municipal Corporation will have a 24-hours helpline on the Kamakhya temple premises. Pilgrims and visitors can call up for assistance in case of problems relating to drinking water and food. Similarly, two police helpline numbers will take complaints relating to safety and security at the largest religious congregation of the region. The district administration’s helpline will be announced tomorrow.
About 10-12 lakh Hindu pilgrims, tourists and visitors from across the country and abroad are likely to throng Nilachal Hills during the mela from June 23-27.
“Ambubachi Mela witnesses a huge congregation. All arrangements are being made to ensure that the visitors do not face any problem. However, in case of any, assistance will be just a phone call away,” a source in Kamrup district administration said. It is also gearing up to provide smooth transport facilities to Nilachal hills while Guwahati traffic police will impose restrictions on the movement of vehicular traffic on some routes during the four-day mela.
“No private vehicle will be allowed to enter the Nilachal Hills route without special passes to be issued at the deputy commissioner’s office. For transportation of pilgrims and visitors, buses will be available from 6am to midnight from Thursday. People can board direct bus at Kachari to reach Kamakhya temple,” the official said.
“Providing safe drinking water, sanitation and tending to medical emergencies of the visitors are our priorities and in case they face any problem, people can complain at the control room and steps will be taken immediately,” he said.