He detached himself from the world and Mool Shankar became swami Dayanand. He started wearing saffron cloths. But the request for spiritual knowledge made restless.

The word offers only hardships to social reformers whether he Gandhi, Socrates, Christ or swami Dayanand. And they in return have given us forgiveness, peace, kindness and welfare. Neither has the world changed its callous attitude nor have the reformers changed their benevolent attitude. They did not bother for physical comforts, material possessions, wealth or glory.

There was a small village `Tankara’ by name in Gujarat and there was a Shiva temple outside it. It was the day of Shiva. A child hardly 14 years old was also persuaded t keep fast. Nothing was to be eaten throughout the day and one was not to sleep at night when Shiva-pooja was performed. It was midnight. All devotes were gradually being overpowered by sleep but the child Mool Shankar did not sleep. What did he see? He saw that a rat came too the Shiva’s idol and began to eat `Prasad’. It set him thinking. Shiva is mahashakti. Then why this weakness is? If he cannot chase away the rat, how will he protect us? He went to his father and demands the answer. His father had no answer to his question. The father went to sleep but the son did not. The father was Amba Shankar and son, as mentioned above, was Mool Shankar.

The question changed the entire course of his life. He began to think about life. After some time his sister died. Swami Dayanand wrote in his autobiography, `` I was standing near her bed against the wall. First time in my life I saw a person dying. I began to think that all human beings would die like this. I will also die like this surely this or that day. Some way should be thought out by which the pain of life and birth can be avoided.’’

His sister died. All began to weep but not Mool Shankar. He was thinking as to how these tears could be got rid of. The matter did not end here. After some days his loving uncle became a victim of cholera and breathed his last.

These were not extraordinary events but they ad extraordinary effect on him. They changed his thinking. His relatives tried to get him married. When he was pressurized, he left his home.

It was 14 Th November, 1860. He went to Mahatma in search of a guru and knocked at door. The voice from inside enquired. ``Who is there?’’ ``Who am I? I have come here to know this.’’ said the disciple. This was the first dialogue between swami Vijranand `Dandi’- the guru and swami Dayanand-the disciple.

When the `Shiksha’ was over, Dayanand brought cloves as a `Dakshina’ for the guru because the latter loved them. But the guru said, ``Dayanand- I do not want cloves as a `Dakshina’. The world today is engulfed in darkness. Traditions, rituals and superstitions dominate everywhere. I want you to spread the light of knowledge. That would be my ``Dakshina’’.

Swami laid great stress on Bramacharya (celibacy) he was himself physically very stout and strong. He was the fonder of Arya Samaj. Arya Samaj was a revolution against the prevailing superstitions, traditions and idolatry, etc. he gave a new direction to society. He formulated ten principles of arya Samaj. These principles are very broad based and not communal in nature. They speak of the nature and power of the Almighty God.

KEDARNATH

Kedarnath and Badrinath are two major holy places, revered by all Hindus. Both of these are located in the Uttarkhand district of UttarPradesh. Here, the temple and the surrounding few shops are open from March to October (summer and autumn season), and remain closed during the winter season from November to February.

Kedarnath is considered to be one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. Hence, this place is a must-see for all Shiva devotees.

Here, the main attraction is the horse-ride up to the peak of the hill where the main temple is situated. There are trained horse riders who escort people till the top of the hill. Enthusiastic and energetic persons can trek the whole 18 kms up to the peak while old people or others who cannot go on horse-back can opt for climbing with the help of poles or being carried in a palanquin.

The temple is beautifully architectured   and is nestled among the Garhwal Himalayas. Outside the temple is a huge statue of the Nandi bull. The famous Mandakini river which is a tributary of the Alakananda river, which, in turn, is a tributary of the mighty Ganges, can be sighted close by. Another attraction over here is the “Shiva Linga” made of ice. Also a Shiva Lingam with a snake-like hood made from mercury can be sighted at a couple of places.

BADRINATH

Badrinath is a sacred place for all Hindus, especially the Vaishnavites. It is located along the banks of the Alaknanda river and therefore, provides a scenic locale. The place is famous for the temple dedicated to  Badrinath or Lord Vishnu. The temple, which is encircled by a beautiful valley, is believed to have been constructed in the 8^th century A.D by Guru Adi Sankara Charya.

Also located in the Garhwal Himalayas, the temple is placed between the Nar and Narayan mountain ranges. The scene of the sunrise from behind the mountains forms an additional attraction here.  The holy “Ashtakshari Mantram” is supposed to have been handed over to mankind at this spot. Legend has it that Lord Narayana himself has taken the forms of Sishya and Guru (Nar and Narayan) to reveal the mantra.

There are thermal springs inside the temple-named “Tapt Kund”- which are supposed to have medicinal effects. All the devotees take a dip in the springs before entering the sacred shrine.

There is also a separate flat platform, the “Brahma Kapal”, near to the temple premises where people perform religious rites, especially for their deceased forefathers in the belief that the dead souls will easily attain “moksha”.

How to reach?

Kedarnath and Badrinath can be reached from the nearby places of Haridwar, New Delhi  Rishikesh or Dehra Dun as there are many buses plying from these cities. Badrinath-Kedarnath pilgrimage tours are organised by many tourist organisations. 

प्रसिद्द चम्पेश्वर महादेव मंदिर उड़ीसा के कटक जिले में स्थित है जहाँ के प्राचीन जल कुंड में २०० से अधिक कछुओं का निवास है I चम्पेश्वर ग्राम उडीसा की राजदानी भुबनेश्वर से लग-भाग ११२ किलोमीटर दूर है I ग्राम वासी मंदिर के जल कुंड में निवास कर रहे कछुओं को भगवान विष्णु के प्रथम अवतार 'कुर्म' के रूप मानते हैं जबकि चंपेश्वर के इस मंदिर में शिव पूजा होती है I ग्राम वासिओं ने बड़ी ही सफलता पूर्वक इन विरल कछुओं का संरक्षण किया है जो की सराहना योग्य हैI आज यह मंदिर राज्य सरकार तथा वनविभाग दोनों के आकर्षण का केंद्र बना हुआ है I

People worship in different ways or in different places. Temples, churches, Mosques and Gurudwaras are some places where people go to pray. You must also know that there are many different religions such as Hinduism, Christianity, Buddhism, Jainism, Zoroastrianism, Islam and Sikhism. People who follow these religions have different names for God. They worship Him different. By leaning about different religions, you will understand God better.

There no difference

Hemachandra was a great Jain monk. He was learned and wise. He became a great friend of king kumara pal of Gujarat. The king took his advice on all matters. The priests and ministers of the king became jealous of Hemachandra. They were afraid that king would stop listening to them. They wanted the king o be angry with Hemachandra.

So they told the king, `Hemachandra is not a true man of God. He insults our God’s’. The king did not believe them. The ministers said, `O king! If you invite him to the Shiva temple and order him to bow to the idol, you will understand’. They thought that Hemachandra, being a Jain, would not bow to the idol of Shiva. This would surely make the king angry with him.

The king sent for Hemachandra. He said, `come, let us go to the Shiva temple.’ Hemachandra gladly agreed. The priests and ministers too went along. They did not want to miss the fun. King Kumar pal told Hemachandra to bow to the idol.

Hemachandra did not hesitate. He bowed to the idol and said, `I bow to that God who gives love and destroys evil. I see no difference between Vishnu, Shiva and Jina’. King Kumar pal was thrilled. Can you guess how the priests and ministers felt!

Understand

Hemachandra knew that there were many different religions, but that God is one. People call Him by different names, their prayers are different, and they worship in different ways. But whatever you call Him-Allah, Vishnu, Shiva, Jehovah, Jina-God is one. Only the names are different.

Religions help us to understand God. The ways might be different but they all lead to the same place. We must follow our own religion sincerely. But we must also try to understand the religious ways of others, if we do this; we will realize that all religions teach the same lessons- how to be kind, truthful and loving. They tell us how we can become good human beings. By understanding other religions, we come closer to God. We also learn to love and respect our fellow beings. By loving others, we serve God.