i)Gomay Snan (Bath by cow dung):
स्नानार्थसंस्कृतादेवी,पापंमेहरगोमंय, यन्मेरोगाश्चशोकाश्चतन्मेदहतूगोमंय ||
(Meaning : May my bad deeds (Papam) be removed by bath with cow dung. Also, the diseases and sorrows that may be associated with me, be burned by application of cow-dung.)
गोमय-माहात्म्य
अग्रमग्रं चरन्तीनामोषधीनां वने वने |
तासामृषभपत्नीनां पवित्रं कायशोधनम ||
तन्मे रोगांश्च शोकांश्च नुद गोमय सर्वदा |
(Meaning : Dung of the Cow, who grazes in the forest of medicinal plants, is holy and purifier of the human body. Let all the diseases and sorrows associated with me be removed permanently.)
लक्ष्मीश्च गोमये नित्यं पवित्रा सर्वमंगला |
गोमयालेपनं तस्मात् कर्तव्यं पाण्डुनन्दन ||
(स्कन्द.,अव,रेवा. 83 / 108)
(Meaning : Shri Laxmi, who is holy and creator of the prosperities, always resides in the cow dung. That is why one should apply coat of cow dung on his body.)
In shastras (Ancient texts), information has been given about bath with cow dung, which eliminates diseases and sorrows. Germs are killed by sprinkling the floor of front yard and coating the house with mix of cow dung and water. By blindly following western culture, people who use bath soap containing chemical fat, suffer from ill effects like alopecia (hair loss), skin disorders and gray hair. Ill effects are manifesting slowly but surely in the society.
Golokwasi Nadep kaka, who has been introduced in the chapter, ‘Our Philosophers and Guides’, did research on cow dung and discovered bath soap and bath powder by using Cow dung, Multani soil, Ocher, Turmeric and Bitter neem (Azadirachta Indica) and named it ‘Kumar Angrag’. Kumar Angrag bath soap and powder are manufactured at our Mhaispur site.
Cow dung is natural deodorant and cosmetic, health protector, disorders terminator, strength enhancer and full of vitamins. Demand for our ‘Kumar Angrag’ soap and powder is ever increasing, even from cities like Mumbai.
Many of Goshala (Cow Shelters) regularly arrange ‘Gomay Snan Mahotsav’ (events of bath by cow dung). In Kumbhamelas also, saints and monks bath with cow dung. Our Prakalp also arranges every year, bath by cow dung on all Sundays in summer season, in the early morning. Hundreds of the people take benefit of this event every year. The response to ‘Gomay Snan’ at our prakalp is encouraging and on an average 150 to 200 Gobhaktas (cow-devotees) participate in this weekly event.
ii)Dindee:
Dindee is a group of Hindu devotees going walking to a holy place or pilgrimage or to attend any festival at any holy place. While walking they chant Bhajan (prayers to the god).
Ashadhi Ekadashi is one of the most important festivals, which is celebrated on eleventh lunar day (Ekadashi) of the bright fortnight ( Shukla paksha) of the Hindu month of Ashadh (mostly June-July). It is called Toli Ekadashi in Telugu. Ashadhi Ekadashi is celebrated in devotion to Lord Vishnu, the nurturing God. On this day, devotees woship Lord Vishnu and Laxmi and observe fast. Four holy Hindu months (Chaturmasa) start from this day and ends on Prabodhani Ekadashi i.e. eleventh day of bright fortnight in the month of Kartik. During Chaturmasa, devotees undertake to do a good deed on a daily basis, which is called ‘vrata’. On Ashdhi Ekadashi Lord Vishnu falls asleep in his abode i.e. Kshirsagar (cosmic ocean of milk) on Sheshnaga (multi headed giant and devine serpent) and awakens on Prabodhini Ekadashi.
In Maharashtra, hundreds of the Dindee, at least one from every village and town start well in advance and reach holy city of Pandharpur to have Darshana of the lord Pandhurang or Vitthal (these are other names of Lord Vishnu) on the day of Ashadhi Ekadashi. Pandhurang is the deity of Maharashtra.
Every year, many such Dindee, on their way to Pandharpur, come to our Mhaispur site for resting during the day or night. We serve the devotees of the Dindee, by making suitable arrangements for their comfortable stay and also provide tea, breakfast etc. One of such Dindee, regularly visits our Mhaispur site every year in the noon and we provide Lunch to all the participating devotees of this Dindee. This is our small attempt to show our appereciation and gratitude to the participants of the Dindee for upholding and continuing the age old traditions.
