Journeying through The Ramayana Day 14 - On the way to Igatpuri

IGATPURI – SARVA TIRTH - JATAYU MOKSHA STHAL

Igatpuri in Daudhra village, Maharashtra, is about 45 kms from Nashik on the Mumbai-Nashik highway. It is a place of great significance to the Ramayana.  It was amazing to think that we would be soon praying at one of the first locations where Rama actually showed himself as Paramatama. 

The buses could go only so far and hence we got down and walked through the lush green meadows and woods. As we approached the location, the utter peace and quiet of the place stole into our hearts and I could just imagine what it must have been like in the times when Jatayu actually breathed his last in the lap of Rama. The pain and suffering of Rama as he saw Jatayu breathe his last was palpable in the air. 

Though there are many tourist locations of scenic beauty here, Sarva tirth is the most important. It is the place where Rama got information on Ravana’s abduction of Sita from Jatayu and finally did last rites for this great bird, as he would have done for his father, giving him moksham. It is said that he hit the arrow into the ground for water and the kund here is therefore called  Sarva tirtha kund. Many people come here and do last rites for their loved ones.

There is a beautiful temple with Rama & Lakshman & Sita and of course for Jatayu, just in front of the kund. It is a place of great peace and quiet.  We sat under the shade of a large tree, listening to Valmiki describing Jatayu Moksham and Rama's agony. As I sat, i found tiny round smooth pebbles under my feet. As I look at them, it seemed as if Rama's tears had solidified to form the earth here with the pebbles.

We left Igatpuri, Sarva Tirth with a heart that strained to leave Rama and Jatayu behind.

To view photos of Igatpuri in Rama Anu Yatra click on:

https://picasaweb.google.com/devikavarad/RamaAnuYatraIgatpuri#