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The Vaishnodevi Experience 2023

My first trip to Vaishnodevi was unimpressive. Climbing was hard, and it only served to highlight how badly out of shape I was, while my in-laws managed to cope so much better. Further, I hadn’t quite realized that the cave experience wouldn’t be the same as I had imagined, since the original cave was only opened at certain times a year, and that we only entered a newly created tunnel, one far easier to access, and hence more manageable with the crowds that thronged the mountain shrine. The resulting experience at the shrine, for barely a fraction of a second, hardly compared to what I had expected / imagined / heard about. So, for me, Vaishnodevi was like any other temple, nothing to write home about, something that was reflected (though not explicitly mentioned) in the blog post I wrote then.
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Serving Water to the Thirsty

It is said that the best charity is giving food to the hungry and water to the thirsty. The latter is especially true in the hot summer months, when a parched throat can make life feel miserable, and nothing is more welcome than a glass of cool water. All over India, there are people who take this literally, and serve water on the roads in summer, free of cost. There are some who place earthen pots of water by the side of the road, under a shady tree and make sure it is re-filled, while others set up water coolers at public spaces. 

While in Jaipur, at a temple we visited, a girl sat at a small window with a pot of water, patiently serving every thirsty soul.....





I also noticed these huts all over the place, especially near road intersections. It was only when I stopped to take a closer look that I realised that these were bamboo huts with an earthen pot of water inside. A person was in attendance, serving the people who came to quench their thirst, and re-filling the pot when necessary.


Interesting way of performing a service to those in need, wouldnt you agree?

 I just wonder who has organised and arranged these water huts all over the place. Unfortunately, my trip was too short for me to do any digging. If any of you have any further information, please do leave a comment and I will update the post accordingly. 
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Comments

  1. AnonymousMay 26, 2012 at 12:16 PM

    Water is a first need in Summer so these people has a good job..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anuradha ShankarMay 26, 2012 at 7:46 PM

      True, water is indeed the first need, but these people do a great job especially considering that all these are usually free.

      Delete
  2. Samaresh BiswalMay 26, 2012 at 7:35 PM

    during hot summer month these people come as savior . in bangalore they distribute butter milk near temple .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anuradha ShankarMay 26, 2012 at 7:47 PM

      Absolutely, Samaresh! I have seen people distributing butter milk in temples in Chennai too..

      Delete
  3. VetirmagalMay 27, 2012 at 1:10 PM

    தவிச்ச வாய்க்கு தண்ணீà®°் is the phrase in Tamizh( water for thirty mouth).

    This happens even in Hyderabad. I salute those organisations which take up this charity.
    I also think, this is our tradition form those good old days, where in it was never denied.( like the choulteries for travellers of bygone decades).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anuradha ShankarMay 28, 2012 at 9:58 AM

      Thanks for the phrase, Vetrimagal! thats what I was looking for! yes, there are such organisations all over the country, and they do an admirable job! and they rarely advertise themselves, so we know little about them.. surprising, but commendable in this era.. and those choultries were great places too.. clean, comfortable, and meant for rest... to those who needed it

      Delete
  4. RamakrishnanMay 27, 2012 at 6:54 PM

    This is wonderful ! Charity begins at home !

    ReplyDelete
  5. Madhusudan MahawarOctober 19, 2012 at 11:51 PM

    such a great creation...will be most appreciated....

    ReplyDelete

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