A Journey of Spiritual Discovery: Embracing Vivekananda's Legacy in Almora

By: Mahesh Sowani

3rd Joint Civil Judge Senior Division and
Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate,
Nanded

After reading Vivekananda's literature, I decided to make a trip to the Ashramas of the Ramakrishna
Order in Almora, Mayawati, and Shyamlatal. I wrote to these ashrams seeking permission to stay in the
Ashrama. While Mayawati and Shyamlatal replied immediately and confirmed my booking, nothing
was heard from the Almora Ashrama.

When I called them, they told me that they were having a ceremony to commemorate the 125th
anniversary of the foundation of Ramakrishna Mission and the return of Swami Vivekananda from his
first visit to the West, and hence they couldn't accommodate me. At the same time, they wrote stating
that they could help me book a room in nearby hotels and asked me firmly to enjoy the meals at the
ashram only.

My flight tickets were already booked. I received an email regarding the yatra to all the places where
Vivekananda visited in Uttarakhand. Had I known it earlier, I would have loved to join this yatra. I
repented not being able to make it for the yatra. Nevertheless, I decided to visit the Almora ashram. It
was my good fortune that I was going to visit it at the time of these celebrations.

My initial plan was that I would visit the ashram for a day and then visit Kausani because I was a little
disappointed with the idea of staying in a hotel. I visited the ashram, and it was the first day of the
celebration. Volunteer Gore from Maharashtra received us with great love. The vibes ensured that I
canceled my trip to Kausani and attended the event for three days.

These were undoubtedly the most memorable days of my life. My time was well spent listening to the
lectures, reading books, watching the sunset from the statue of Vivekananda, and contemplating. Not to
forget the delicious meals with sweets which were served with great love and affection. The volunteers
served us as if they were feeding their own child. I felt that it was Divine Mother who was making me
sit on her lap and feeding me.

I also visited Kasardevi and meditated in the same cave where Vivekananda had meditated. The very
thought of sitting at the same spot where such a spiritual giant had meditated itself was overwhelming.
But I was transported into another world when I sat there and meditated. I wish there was no constraint
of time, and I could have stayed there forever. But Divine Mother has her own plans.

I planned my Almora trip without knowing about the celebrations and partook in my share in it as
desired by Divine Mother.