FINAL DAY IN PUNE; ANANDA MAYEE MA ASHRAM

FEBRUARY 17TH, MONDAY

After saying farewell to my fabulous, Ananda hosts of Bhosale Paradise--Prisha, Shivani, Damodar and Prince Charlie--I made my way to the Ananda Mayee Ma ashram not far from their apartment. I stopped on the way to buy fresh coconut water from a street vendor, who was selling these coconuts from a cart. For 40 rupees--or about 75 cents--I was given the whole coconut with a hole cut in the top. I then sucked the sweet water through a straw and gave the coconut back to the vendor, who broke it open for me with an impressive, machete-type knife, and scooped out the succulent, soft meat for my further enjoyment. This is eaten--charmingly--with a "spoon" created from a slice of the coconut's rind.

Revitalized, I continued on to the ashram, where I spent a wonderful hour at this peaceful place: meditating, photographing and purchasing a small photo of Ananda Mayee Ma for 25 rupees.

Afterwards,  I went back to the Ananda Center office and kitchen for a last nourishing and scrumptious lunch there, all for a mere 150 rupees, or about $2.15. Let me emphasize that this was a robust and filling lunch; I mention this because of the horrors of what happened at lunchtime the following day in Delhi! But I will come to that in the subsequent blog about Delhi.

Finally, I caught an Uber--yes, this service (as well as the Indian version known as "Ola") are prolific now in India--to the airport for my flight up to Delhi.

Thus, the following series of photos document this last, delightful day in Pune City.

Didn't quite capture it, but the sunrise on this morning, through the haze, was spectacular. The sun was a deep, red orb, and I loved how it glowed through the fronds of this coconut palm just outside the apartment's balcony 

From left to right, Damodar, Shivani (his lovely wife), and of course their beloved, only child, Prince Charlie, on the floor. 

The adored Nandi, keeper of the Shiva temple, at the heart of the Ananda Mayee Ma ashram

You know this guy: Ganesh, of course! Placed in a little alcove in the temple

Nandi and the ornate temple ceiling 

The inner sanctum of the temple, where there is both a statue of Shiva as well as the Lingum--a representation of Shiva--featured here. Not quite sure of WHY the Lingum represents Shiva--maybe one of you, my readers, can enlighten me. All I know is that--and forgive me if this is sacrilegious--it never fails to remind me of the classic India squatter toilet with a mound of I-hate-to-say-what rising up back out of it!

Not sure who this guy is, but also cute and colorful, resting in his own alcove across from Ganesh

Enlarge the photo to see the quotes--so poignant, great thoughts to live by

Considered one of the greatest saints of India, Ananda Mayee Ma passed away in 1964. She had a celibate marriage with her husband, who is rarely acknowledged or mentioned. But SHE was adored by multitudes, and even graces one of the postage stamps produced after her death. 

Inside the main temple hall

Her cute little car; not sure of the make, but one sees many of these minis in India; a more modernized version, of course

Shiva temple seen from the outside

Ashram library, and swing on which she apparently sat or reposed

Little shrine to Hanuman, the monkey God and devotee of Ram

The bed on which she slept when she stayed here. She had another home in Hardiwar, where her ashes are interred. 

corner of one of her rooms

Another room, another bed...did she sleep on both of these? No idea...explanations were in Hindi

Collage of photos... As you can see, she stands with her husband in the top one

Back at the Ananda office and kitchen; my last, scrumptious meal there, consisting of freshly made chapatis, some kind of spicey paneer dish, and briyani

Oh yes... thoroughly enjoying myself, of course! A great lover of Indian food, it is definitely one of the great highlights of my travels here!