Morning we got up and had Tea around 6:30am. The water from bore well was warm. We took quick baths and got ready. Morning we could see the garden. It was full of flowering plants including a plant called Gulbakula (essence of dried flowers is used to treat many eye problems). Maharaj was a kind friendly person. He would look after neighboring farmers two small children when both mother and father have to work in the farm. The 18 month old boy would just waddle over to him and the older sister would come along. They stay in the ashram till the parents finish their work. We started our walk around 8:00 am. It is cold enough for us to wear our jacket and beanie in the morning. The Sun felt good in the cold weather. We walked for an hour and warmed up. We were invited for Tea by a store owner. We stopped and were greeted by his three little girls, ages 3, 5, 7. We gave them Chocolates. His eldest daughter brought the Tea. She was 13 or so. Total there were five sisters youngest being a baby. We finished Tea and continued walking. We were now walking on the road through open fields. Very few trees. Every so often we would see small patches of farms where farmers were working. The road wound around the countryside. We kept walking till 12:45 pm and did not find a lunch place. We got in the car and drove. Soon after we started driving we were in the forest area with lots of shade on the road. We drove for half an hour and come to a town and found a place to have lunch. After lunch we walked for another hour and half till 4:00 pm and the got on the car to find a place for the night. We came to Mohgaon and saw their weekly street market. There were many vendors selling their goods. I notice a jewelry vendor and wanted to see. We got down from the car and asked Sunilji to park ahead somewhere. We walked around and saw the jewelry vendor. He had Silver jewelry. I was tempted for a minute but did not get anything. We just walked through the road. There were all kinds of vendors – produce, dry goods, shoes, clothes, blankets, cosmetics and many more. Baiju took pictures. We found Sunilji parked on the road side further down. He was talking to a shopkeeper waiting for Tea. We were given stool to sit. This shop buys from farmers and sell to bigger markets. The shop and the house behind was being renovated yet business was fully functional. Today the farmers were bringing some wild seed used to make Iron Pills. Apparently even goats don’t eat this. But it is valuable for humans. They also can make powder and mix with Tea powder to give a flavor and some Iron. We had Tea and asked them if there was an ashram near by. They not only told us about the ashram in town but the young son got on his motorcycle and guided us to the ashram. Shivanand Kuti. We asked the Maharajji if we could stay for the night. He showed us couple of spots where we could sleep. We picked the small room where put all our things. Maharaj is an amazing personality. His name is Parvat Giri. His age is 70 but he moves like a 45 year old. He has been a Sadhu for a long time. He is running this place on his own. Earlier Sadhu here was Shivanand Guru. He built this place from nothing. It used to be a first area. Wild animals would be roaming freely. Now the place looks like a well maintained ashram. Giri Maharaj does all the work himself. He loves to talk. He wears jewelry on his wrist and ankles. The bells announce his movements. I asked if I can help in making food for the evening. He said no no he will do it. He served dinner after the evening Aarti. We chatted for a while and went to bed. Today we walked 21.2 kms
