Got ready and drove off by 7:30 am. Once we were out of the city we stopped and had breakfast and I started walking. Early morning walking is best. Weather is cool and body is full of energy. Just few minutes after walking I got my first Tea invite.
As I was walking suddenly I felt a vehicle slow down behind me. There was a hand with Apple stretched towards me from an Autorikshaw. He said Narmade har and asked me to take the Apple as Prasad. Then he moved on. His Auto was full of produce. I wish I had taken a photo. The image will remain with me forever.
As I walked on someone across the road said Narmade Har. I looked up and replied and saw one young man at his store and one elderly gentleman next to him. I paused and said Narmade har again. The elderly gentleman asked me to wait and crossed the road to talk. He asked me the usual questions, where am I from, where did I start the Parikrama etc. when I told him I am doing this in my father’s memory he teared up and praised me. He told me he was in the Army for some time. Then he worked for MP government for four years. Now he has a farm, a house and a general store right there. We spoke for about ten minutes. He reminded me of my dad and I could have spoke to him for much longer but I said last Narmade har and continued my walk.
We stopped at a Dhaba for lunch. We had ordered stuffed eggplant Subbji. They gave three small Eggplant and a lot of gravy. When I asked him if I could get more Eggplants and no gravy he brought few more pieces. As usual food was fresh and tasty. The extra Eggplants hit spot. I walked until about 3:30 am and got in the car. We kept driving hoping to find an ashram. after 5:30 pm we decided to go till sanawad which was still about 30 kms away.
I was dozing off when suddenly Sunilji stopped the car saying looks like there Mandir here shall check it out. After I having seen many such temple without good facilities I wasn’t sure but I said sure. The volunteer (shivkumar Yadav) there was very welcoming. The bathrooms were locked. He opened it immediately. It was clean. We would have to sleep in the main hall of the temple. There were three other Parikramavasis already there. We decided to stay. Shivkumar asked if we will have dinner I said. I offered to help and he said no no you rest I will make Daal Baati. It will be fast. For me this dish will take all day to make. Dinner was ready by 8:30 pm. I was almost asleep when he Called for dinner. He had made Moong Daal with small We finished quickly and went to sleep.
Today I walked 26.5 kms
