Encountering the Divine: An Unforgettable Pilgrimage in India

During a pilgrimage to several religious sites in India, I encountered the divine presence of Lord Vitthal in an unexpected and extraordinary manner. This experience, which took place in 2009, was not just a spiritual journey but a divine intervention that transformed the course of our journey.

The Journey Begins

My journey began in Dharwad, where I was studying in college. As I approached the holidays, my brother suggested a two-day pilgrimage to various important religious sites. We decided to visit Idgunji, Murudeshwar, Gokarna, Udupi, Dharmasthala, Hornadu, and Sringeri. We hired a car and arranged for a stay with one of the guruji’s at Dharmasthala.

Our first day was spent visiting the Idgunji and Murudeshwar shrines. After a successful darshan (sight of the deity), we moved on to Gokarna, then Udupi. As it was Ekadashi, the prasad (holy food) was not available. We arrived in Udupi at 7:00 PM, and finding a crowd made getting darshan challenging.

The Unexpected Night Journey

As we started our journey to Dharmasthala, we faced a series of challenges. The road ahead was a ghat section, making it difficult to navigate. By the time we reached Dharmasthala, it was 11:00 PM. We attempted to find food and accommodation but were unable to find any open hotels. The situation was dire, and we were left with no options.

The Divine Intervention

Just as we were considering spending the night in the car, we heard someone call out, 'Bhetala Vitthal! Bhetala Vitthal!' My brother then suggested that we seek a path to the Dharmasthala bus stand. However, just as we reached the bus stand, the car’s battery discharged, and it stopped working. We were left in the dark, with no food or water, and our nieces were crying out of hunger.

Our driver suggested staying in the car and chanting God's name. After a few minutes, we saw a lantern moving in the distance. As it approached, we recognized the figure of an elderly man with white hair and a pancha (traditional Indian cloth) over his shoulders. He brought us a can of sugarcane juice, saying it was prasad offered to Lord Manjunath Swami.

Initially, we were hesitant, but my brother, having faith, consumed some of the juice and felt a sense of peace. We then accepted the prasad and felt satisfied. The man guided us to Guruji's house, which was only 100 meters away, and we arrived safely.

A Life-Changing Encountering

This divine encounter profoundly affected me. Whenever I recall the incident, I feel a rush of emotions, unable to believe that God had come to us in the form of that person. This experience was not a mere occurrence but a clear manifestation of divine presence in our lives. It taught us the importance of faith amidst difficult situations and the role of kindness in guiding us towards help.

In conclusion, this pilgrimage was more than just visiting religious sites. It was a journey filled with divine encounters, which continue to inspire and guide me towards a life of spirituality and faith.

Keywords: pilgrimage in India, divine encounter, spiritual journey