Our trip to Shegaon for “Jai Gajanana” and Nandura for “Bhaiya duj”
2 nd to 6 th September 2024 Short story with strange explanation: Fed up with sweet tea, coffee or milk for four days at Anand Vihar in Shegaon, I requested the official at HQ of the temple to give an option of non-sugary beverages. He politely agreed to consider the request, while his colleague interjected to explain that sugary beverages are meant to beat the heat [day temp rises to more than 45 oC during summer] in this region. I am floored with this justification, although it was pleasant time during our time. I am raised in Nandura, listening to the stories of Saint Shri Gajanan Maharaj who lived in the nearby town, Shegaon during late 19 th century and took Samadhi in Sep 1910. This saint who miraculously cured his devotees of diseases advocated karma [work], bhakti [spirituality] and gyan [knowledge]. Seen in minimal clothing with cheelam [smoking pipe] smoking, Gajanana is revered by most as reincarnation of God not only in Vidarbha region, but also elsewhere. Devotees c
