Sunrise!

Utiche Bhajan!

On 27 Apr, my friend Nilesh informed me about a late night Bhajan in Vithal mandir near Laxmi road. It happened to be first Saturday after Chaitra Poornima. Since I am fond of Bhajans and was keen on photographing this event I was enthusiastic to be there.

I reached on time and the temple was located on the Bajirao road, right near the Tulshi Bag entrance. All this years in Pune, I never noticed it :). When I reached already a bhajan was started and I guess it was the first one. In the center, there was on old man around the age of 70's singing. He carried unusual aura around him and depth in his voice. After the first Bhajan a young lad came and applied Chandan  lep (Sandalwood paste layer) on his forhead and out black ticka in between eye-brows. He applied the Chandan (Sandalwood paste) layer on his Veena also. Then he offered him a garland. The same procedure was applied on every participant's forhead. At first I thought this must be ritual to cool our head before singing bhajans.

Again the Bhajan's were started. Most of the bhajan's were Tukaram Bhajan with a classical touch. It lasted till 2AM.

Lastly, Prasad was distributed as dal-kairi koshimbir  and Phane ( sweet drink made out of raw mango). These are also known to be a cool for the body.

In the end, I actually came to know that this is known as Utiche Bhajan and every year in the month of Chaitra it is held. I also found that on the whole statue of Vitthal Rukmai was covered with Chandan layer (Sandalwood paste). May be this is to cool ourselves in the coming hot summer. There was a small Shiv-linga in the temple.

Later I found that the temple was quite old and it was built in 1808. It was built by Limbaraj Maharaj.

With this I am more curious on the various traditions followed in India and significance behind each one. I am very much keen on exploring them. I guess there must be thousands in India.

Self

What is the relationship with our own self. Do we have an answer?

We carry the same relationship with others also. Do not give a name. It all me around.

Then if we only manifested in others where is the question of jellousy, anger, greed or hatred?