On Rudrabhisheka and stopping the rain

While starting for the ‘Thirtha yatra’ in June, we were prepared for the rains. With a relative (he had come down from Lucknow with his wife and daughter) who had in-depth knowledge of Vedas and Puranas, it was an altogether different experience. He explained the significance of the different temples and about the idols.

Starting from the Mangeshi temple and Shantadurga temple in Goa, we went to Gokarna. Halting in the vicinity of Om beach, went to the Gokarna temple to conduct puja next day morning. Visited the small Shivling submerged in water, which is a ‘swayambhu’ ling.

The drive to Murudeshwar was very scenic and our guests were taken aback by the beauty of Murudeshwar. They were totally enamored by the vast sea around the guest house.

Then we drove to Sringeri and on the way, visited the Mookambika temple. Since our guests wanted to visit the ‘Rishyashringa’ temple, we found out its location. It was planned to visit Rishyashringa temple the next day morning. While I was meditating, I saw the picture of a clock with the needles showing the time ’11.45’, twice. I wondered what was going to happen at 11. 45 on that day.  

We reached the Rishyashringa temple and asked to get abhisheka done, for us and for our guests. The priest suggested that instead of two abhishekas, we could get a rudrabhisheka done and the puja will be done at 11.45. So, at 11. 45,  we were all sitting and listening to the chanting while rudrabhisheka was being performed. Then I understood the meaning of seeing the clock with 11. 45 during my meditation.

From Sringeri we drove down to Manipal and took a hotel room to stay.  On all the previous days of temple visits, it was pouring heavily and we were always using the umbrellas. In Manipal I requested that we may be allowed to visit the Udupi Krishna temple without the pouring rain. I got the message that it will be clear during our visit and I could wear appropriate clothes since they won’t get wet. And it turned out to be true. It was totally clear till we reached back to the hotel and the rain resumed later in the night.

It was interesting that in all the temples we visited, the moment we reached inside, there used to be ‘Aarti’ being performed.