Thank you!

I feel that completing the Navanu yatra is one of the greatest achievements of my life... and behind this personal success are lot of people. To fulfill my wish of embarking on Navanu, Naishadh not only gave me a lot of support but also gave me confidence and helped with even the smallest of obstacles (like creating navanu documentation to present to HR at work and creating a vidhi spreadsheet to keep track).

I could not forget to thank all my Cherry Hill Derasar friends who arranged an aarati-mangal divo at derasar and greeted me with Nariyel and a very thoughtful card. There was a small message from each family and they all divided each day of the week to pray to Dada and gave me strength. They also did 12 Logass Kausagg each day for my nirvigna yatra. I feel so special and lucky to have such a great friend circle in USA.

My many thanks to Pallaviaunty and Satishuncle from Cherry Hill Derasar. Aunty, you and uncle are amazing people. During my stay you not only called me a number of times to ask my shata and showed me your concerns, but also referred Sukan who was a great company while climbing. After my few days of stay at Palitana, I came to know about your way of helping people. It seemed that almost everyone I met at Palitana already knew you both and had the highest amount of respect for you. "Tusi ekdam great ho ji!".

I also thank all my family members, relatives and friends for calling me, visiting me at Palitana and posting comments on this blog. Special thanks goes to Premilamasi, Rameshmasa and Hemlatamasi who shared my 108th yatra experience with me.

Didi, Jiju and Neha: Thank you for your spiritual support... I thought of each of you during each Yatra. Didi, I always recalled our chauvhir chhath & 7 yatra when climbing gheti paag. Neha, the cap you gave me before I left provided me with shade during the hottest of yatras.

Last but not the least, I thank mom from the US who flew just for a week to India just to ask my shata. Infinite thanks to India mom who, in her Varshitap, stayed with me at Palitana. Without her, I wouldn't be have been able to complete my navanu in this short period of time. I love you Dad, you are the best. US dad, i know you were far but your mind and strength were always there for me.  I really loved the welcome back surprise at our house with all the uncles/aunties.  Vidhi and Neha- the decorations were incredible, I could barely recognize our home.

If, during my yatras or while writing on this blog, I have offended anyone or caused any harm : Mann, vachan, Kaya thi Michhami Dukkadam!

My Last yatra - 108th Yatra

I feel so lucky to have climbed my last yatra of Giriraj with my hubby, my parents, my caring mom-in-law and with premilamasi-Rameshmasa... We started to Jay Taleti around 5:15am from Bhuri Ba. After doing Chaitya Vandan at Taleti and darshan at Babu Derasar, I started climbing with all my family members around 5:50am. I was so excited and thrilled that today is my last yatra and bas dada mari aa jatra nirvigna purna karave! Myself and naish reached to Rampol around 7am and got ready and went for Dada’s darshan. Today US mom wanted to take the Ghee labh of dada. We started with Pakshal ghee boli and finally we got the labh of Flower Puja. In the meantime, naish and I went to Gheti Paag for his 2nd and my 109th yatra. This was an amazing experience as I was able to give a detailed explanation to naish about all my Gheti Paag yatras (like where I get tired, how I felt etc, etc…)

“Antar no anand and yatra patava ni khushi samati noti”… Naish was pretty fast in climbing up 2nd time. Today I was also going to finish my 9th Seva of Dada. We entered into Dada’s Ghabhara and harsh na ansu avi gaya.. Bas dada aje maro last day che. Kalthi pachha alag dunia ma chali jaish but this experience I will not forget in my life time.. Sidhhachal ni Dhun gata gata, dada ni puja kari and Phul chadhaviya. After that, we all (myself, naish, mom, my parents, Hemlatamasi, Premilamasi & Rameshamasa, my friend Hiral and Bittu- Parthavi) did Chaityavandan together.

As a part of the Navanu Vidhi, one time you should make the Pradakshina of dada in a Varghodo. We got lucky to get the ghee boli of whole Varghodo and wow! With all family members, masa-masi with Dhaja , Mom-dad with Bhagwan and mom-naish-myself in Rath.. danka sathe dada ni 3 pradakshina lidhi. At the end, they stop the Rath in front of Dada’s darbar and bring silver Pokhana. Me and mom did Rushabhdev prabhu’s pokhana. Ajana Anand ni Jay!!! I can’t ask for more than this …

Dada ni asim krupa ! Today I completed my navanu with the company of so many family members.. what more can I ask for?????????

ps- View the pics and video of Varghodo..

Mission Accomplished!!!

Hello everyone, On December 11th, I completed my 108th yatra! After that, I also went up and down one more time that day for a grand total of 109! I have been meaning to post this message for some time, but things have gotten very busy since I finished. We moved out of Palitana and I had so many new friends to say goodbye to. The most exciting part of my 108th yatra was sharing the experience... Naishadh, mom from the US, mom from India, dad from India, Premilamasi, Rameshmasa and Hemlatamasi all joined me for the last yatra. It was a great experience. Now, I am back home in Ahmadabad. When I returned last night, I was greeted with a surprise celebration in front of my house from close family. There was a dholi and family memebers greeted me and mom with gulal and we all did garba.. They carried me from the street to my house on their shoulders. This morning was my "parnu" with all the family and friends. Naishadh also surprised me today with celebratory trip to Kerala for which we are leaving tomorrow!!!! There is so much more to write and I am sure I have forgotten to mention things throughout this blog, but I will continue to add details as I recall them over the next couple of days while floating on a houseboat over the backwaters of Kerala.

Beautiful 6-Gau Feri

I started climbing today at 4:55am from Bhuri ba. Did Jay Taleti Chaityavandan and started climbing Jay Giriraj by saying Bhid Bhanjan Parshavnathay namah!!! Hinglag mata na darshan kariya and continued climbing with the happy thought that now only half is left! Padmavati maat ki jay.. em boli ne agal vadhi. I reached at Rampol around 6:20am and did Shantrunjay Aaradhna Kausagg while waiting outside Rampol. At 6:30am sharp Dada no Dwar khulio.. Everyone ran to meet dada.. I ran as well. Shantinath darshan kari ne, Kavad Yaksh ne naman kari dada na darbare dodi. After dada’s darshan, I went to Rayan Pagla and did Vashakshep puja there. I did pradkshina of Rayan Vruksh. After Pundrik Swami Dada’s darshan, I started climbing down towards Gheti paag. Gheti paag thi darshan , vasakshep puja and chaityavandan kari ne I stated climbing up for dada’s darshan. We (myself & sukan) started the 6 Gau pheri around 8am taking right from Rampol. I did darshan at first deri which was Devaki’s sons. After that started climbing down with few steps and walking. Next was dada’s pagla where dada’s pakshal water is coming. I did chaityavandan there with all sangh and continued climbing up and down.. Maharaj saheb was singing stutis and there was dholi so the whole environment was amazing.. climbing up and down I reached at Chandan Talavadi where infinite has gone to Moksha.. I did 12 logass kausagg chatta sui ne and took the water of chandan talavadi and ankhe lagadiyu. After that again started climbing up to the Bhadva dungar. This was toughest climbing. Steps were too high and walking was not straight either. There is Adinath bhagwan’s charan paduka. I did chaityavandhan there and did pradakshina as well. I started climbing down to the Sidhhavad after that. The down climbing was enough tougher. really high steps.. so we have to be very careful. When I reached at the gate of Bhadva dungar, there was sangh pujan with Rs. 10 prabhavana. After that I did darshan at the Sidhhavad Derasar and did pradakshina of Sidhhavad Tree. In riksha,I went to Aadpur where there is a huge Adeshwar bhagwan’s pratima. Did darshan and chaityavandan there. Take the Riksha again from there and got back to Bhuri ba at 11:35am. Today I finished the whole Giriraj Pradakshina! Ajana anand ni jay!!!

108 Sathiya - 108 Fal - 108 Naivaidh Anushsthan

One of the vidhi during navanu is doing 108 fruits – sweets – sathiya in front of dada. I was going to do this anushstahn today on Dec 4^th – wedding anniversary of my in-laws.  I was very excited. I asked my friend Hiral to join if she can. I took really big square patlo to do this anushsthan. Deenaunty who is in our group at Bhuri ba doing her 2^nd navanu, met me and asked if she can join and I was very happy that she came. We (myself & Hiral) did 3 Ghahulis (Nandavrat in square, one in Mango shape and one in Triangle shape) at the bottom and did 108 sathiyas above. I also made Darshan (Derasaar with Dhaja), Gyan (Sapado with Book) and Charitra (Ogho) and Deenaaunty made the Siddhshila. After that we made big sathiyo of all 108 sweets on top of the 108 sathiya. We put all the 108 fruits on the sidhhashila and around the ghahulis that we made. Everything at the end, turns out to be really cool! Lot of people came to see and they really praised and liked the creation! Thanks to Hiral and Deenaunty & Sukan. I really enjoyed doing this anushsthan with them. Bhav pan bi khub j utrkurt (amazing) ave when you do this kind of vidhi with 1 or 2 more people. Please view the pictures to get an idea about this anushsthan.

3-gau feri – Shetrunji Nadi nahine

“Shetrunji nadi nahyo nahi eno ele gayo avatar”- Whoever has not taken shower/bath using water of Shetrunji River, his/her Bhav/life has no value!!!

We sing this duha everyday while taking 9 khamasana of Shetrunjay during my navanu and today I was going to do 3 gau.. Dad was here and mom wanted to do so myself, mom & dad and Sukan, we took rickshaw and started towards Rohishala early morning at 5am. We took bath of shetrunji river water and wore puja clothes, took shetrunji river water in two bottles for dada’s pakshal and reached to Adinath dada’s pagla. Did chaityavandan there with mom & dad. I started climbing up from there to dada's tunk and mom-dad took rickshaw back to jay taleti. They were going to do pakshal from river water to babu derasar and I took one bottle to do the pakshal to dada. Climbing up from Rohishala is little tough and scary but it was still fun.

Dhhodh Gau Feri

Feri (Pradakshina) of Dada and Navtunk is consider as Dhhodh gau Feri. I reached Rampol around 6:15am before the gate opens. After dada’s darshan, I started climbing down to Gheti Paag.. Today I was in hurry as I wanted to do 2 yatras before I start Dhhodh Gau. Got back from Gheti Paag around 7:45am and completed all the vidhi –Chaityavandan. Making right from Rampol, I started my Dhhodh Gau Yatra. Today there were two sanghs who were going to do dhhodh gau. with Dhol and singing, all sadhu-sadhvi and sangh, were walking to complete the feri of dada and navtunk.. First deri is Devaki’s sons. After doing darshan there, I walked fast to join the group of people as I was little late. I did chaityavandan with sangh near Chaumukhji tunk and got back to dada’s darbar.. This was a small feri which took approximately an hour to finish but it was an awesome experience!!

Meeting Amazing people – Keva Shubh and Utkrut Bhav….

I am meeting amazing people everyday… I met one old ba doing her 21st Navanu with 32nd Varshitap!!!! I don’t have the words to express my amazement! I took her picture at Babuderasar and have already upload it soon! One young girl did Chauvihar Chhath and 7 yatras. On her 7th yatra, she was really weak (as expected). Usually, two or more people stay with the tapsvi while climbing up and down during the yatras and spray rose water on their face, body and hair... this helps in dealing with the heat from all these yatras. This young girl's bhav is amazing: She told them not to spray anything – "no rose water or regular water! I am not drinking for two days, then why should I waste even this much water while doing this Tapashhacharya!!!" There is another Rajubhai who does 6 gau navanu meaning, he go for 6 gau feri everyday and do 2 yatras. Bhari Bhari Anumodana!!! Dada mate no atalo prem, Sharaddha and Kevo Utrkuth Bhav!!! Jay Jay Shri Adinath!!!!

I am very excited!!! Sona ma Sughandh Bhali!!!!

My mom here (India mom) has just finished her Babu Derasar navanu Nirvighna... 108 yatras with all the vidhis. It is so amazing when I look back and think that mom wasn't even able to climb 14 step stairs at home to do darshan. And now, she climbs 150 steps up-and-down four or five or six (sometimes even seven) times in one day. I am very happy for her and really impressed with her effort and confidence as well as her shraddhha on Dada.. really Dada no pratap.. Another cause for my excitement these days is mom (US mom) is specially coming to India to ask my shata and stay with me in Palitana for a few days. Though she has very few days off from work, she is still coming to India for as long as she can. Mom, thanks so much for your love and care; I am very very very excited. counting down the days...

BhidBhanjan Parshavnathay Namah!

At Babu Derasar, BhidBhanjan Parshavnath Bhagwan’s Chamatkar is unaddressable.. I heard many stories and also experienced his Camatkar.. One aunty who is with us in the same group has done navanu few years ago and she is doing again with her husband and mother-in-law. She was able to do only 20 yatras in 25 days when she did first time and she got really sick.. One day after Bhidbhanjan parshavnath’s darshan on MaunEkadashi, when she was going to start climbing, she met one Maharaj saheb and he told her that do Shatrunjay Tap (7 chhath and 8 Athham) with navanu and as it was Maunekadashi, she took the pachhakhan of Chhath on the spot and did 3 yatras taht day.. and after that  Chhath na parane athham and athham na parne Chhath… Dhhanya Deenaaunty na bhav ne .. Bhari Bhari Anumodana..

One day I was feeling really weak and tired.. As I started climbing before 5am that day, Babu derasar was closed so I did Koti Koti vandan to BhidBhanjan Parshav nath from outside and started climbing Dungar.. In my mind I was thinking that I will do only one yatra today and will come down.. and I was counting BhidBhanjan Parsharv nathay namah continously. And kevo chamtkar! After dada’s darshan, I get energy and I did 3 yatras that day.. Not only that, I got to do Dada’s nav ang puja and I literally cried while doing puja.. some experience I can’t express in words but can tell that its amazing feeling inside … Jay Adinath!!! Jay BhidBhanjan Parsharv Nathay Namah!!!!

Hai Ye PavanBhumi... Yaha Bar Bar Aana...

Dil gai uthe che roj "Rang lagiyo, Rang Lagio, Rang Lagio re, Dada tari Yatra no mane rang lagio re".... 

Everyday yatras are going amazing.. Mom is also in good shata with her Varshitap.. she has started Navanu of Babu Derasar. Her yatras are going good as well. Mom took doli one day and came to the top.. Weather was really awesome that day.. So many people decided on the spot  to do Chauvihar Chhath with  7 yatras... Later on I found out that they celebrate this by putting mehndi on their hands who did Chauvihar Chhath with 7 yatras.
Bhagwan mane pan bi Shakti ape to do 7 yatras with Chauvihar Chhath again.. (I have done it few years ago once with my darling sister...)

Dada ni asim Krupa...!!!

Today marks 10 complete days of Navanu at Palitana.  It's going amazing.. everyday is different and new, even though the daily routine of kriyas and processes is the same! Dada no pratap to juo!

Every morning I wake up around 3am and do pratikraman, get ready and leave to meet Dada.. When I start in the morning, its really tough. I always wonder how it is going to go today... my legs are hurting and body is sweating... but slowly slowly I reach to Hinglaj na Hade (There is a saying , ""Aviyo Hinlaj no Hado, Kede hath muki chalo") and after Hinglaj mata's darshan, somehow I get energized and bas em thay hawe kyare dada na darshan karu! Kyare eni angi ne joi ne nava bhav karu....  After 5 Chaityavandan and vidhi, Gheti na paag javani utaval ave!

The scenery by Gheti Paag is unaddressable.... Thando pavan , Ugati savar and dungarao ni vache thi, you are climbing down... one side Hastgiri and Bhadvano Dungar and other side mountains and mountains.. People are running and climbing down to do darshan of dada's pagla at Gheti Paag.. When you get closer, you hear one guy who is playing Dhol.. Your get tempted to climb down faster and faster...Right after the vidhi at Gheti paag, you again want to start climbing up to meet Dada.. This time when you go, you see, angi is gone and now pakshal preparation has started.. Feels like every time I come, I see Dada in a different costume!

With Dada's asim (extreme) krupa, my yatras are going really good.. Everyday I note down my yatras and kriyas in a diary, but haven't yet counted.. I want to thank everyone for the wishes and prayers you have sent for me .. that has given me great strength so far... I am looking forward to day #11 tomorrow!

Ajana Anand ni Jay.....

I got lucky yesterday & today to reach early to the top - Rampol.. Door was closed and everyone was waiting outside... They were singing Stavans.. "Dada Darwaja khol de.. " The whole area outside Rampol was full of Sadhu-Sadhvi, young kids, and adults.. One side Shetrunji River, sun is just rising -divas ugi rahyo che and everyone is singing stavans.. Dada tari bhumi no pratap j kai judo che..

Sharp 6:30am as soon as Rampol Dwar opened, everyone ran for Dada's Darshan.. I did the same too.. Bhavya Angi thi Dada Shobhata hata.. Big-big flowers, golden varakh and Jadtar na dagina thi dada ekdam Malkata ta.. Dada ne joi ne ankho ma harsh na aansu avi gaya. and dil gava lagiyu -" Jya Tamara Mukh na Darshan thay che, Ankhdi mari dada harkay che!!!

Jay Jay Shree Adinath!!! Jay Giriraj...

yatras are going good so far.. Its really hot over here even 5am in the morning.. While climbing everyday I think, how I am going to do this.. but Dada Ni Asim Krupa... After dada's darshan, I get fully charged..There are so many young girls and boys who are doing Navanu with me. Today I met one 8 years old kid doing Navanu!!!! most of girls are around 17-21 years old.. The whole atmosphere around Dada's darbar and on the mountain is just amazing.. Kids, youngsters, old age people, everyone has infinite trust in Dada and I hear everyday on the mountain one sentence from everyone that "Dada tu j yatra karave che, tare j kavani che, mari koi takat nathi ke hu kari saku" ..

"Morning ma Dada ne malvani tadap and ena darshani ni wish maro thak and pain bhulavi de che, dada na darshan pachi, ene malya no anand mane ek judi j eneergy ape che!!!"

"Jai Giriraj ", " Jay Adinath" 

Kartiki Poonam.. First Yatra... Nov 2nd.. My B'day...

What an amazing experience!!! More than million people on the Palitana mountain.. woke up in the morning and started towards Jay Taleti.. Right outside Dharamshala at 6:30am, there were so many people walking and running towards Jay Taleti.. After doing Chaityavandan and darshan at babu derasar, started the first yatra.. Can't imagine the crowd and how discipline people were on the mountain...Unbelievable... Met Hemlatamasi and did the whole yatra with her.. It was lot of fun doing all Kriyas with masi..

"Dada tari angi and darshan no lahaavo on my b'day will be unforgettable experience... "

Maulee is doing well...

Maulee has completed her first few yatras and is in good spirit and health.  These first couple of days have been hectic (getting settled and trying to keep up a good pace) so she has not been able to add to the blog.  Hopefully she will get some time later on today.  I can't wait to read her reaction when she sees all the wonderful birthday wishes from friends and family!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Maulee! You get to start off this year in one of the most auspicious ways possible. Even though there will be no candles or cakes, you will be celebrating in a different way. Enjoy!

Maahol in Palitana....

We reached at Palitana safely and on time. Dharamshala Bhuri Ba is awesome! Very neat and clean with granite finish. Service is really good and food is really tasty. Rooms are big and spacious with big kitchen and dressing room. The staff is very humble and nice. One person comes and clean your room, other clean the bathrooms, one drop off and pick up the Boil water, one does the managing job means stop by 2-3 times in a day to make sure everything is okay.The whole arrangement is amazing!!!

" Dada ni nagari ma rehvani and ahina atmosphere ni vaat j kai nirali che! "

On my way to Palitana...........

Thursday night, started the remaining packing and completed everything by 1am. Woke up really early on Friday morning. Arihant Sagar maharaji was going to come for Manglik and to give the labh of Supatradaan. Talked with US mom-dad  and masi-masa. My 3 other masis and one of the cousin came to greet me for navanu.

Big Tivera  (rental car) is ready in the compound of my house and all the bags has been getting arranged by Ambalal and driver. We were on time with the Muhrat and mom is in good shata after her biyasanu. Now the journey to the Holy place Palitana has begun.. We just passed Dhandhuka and weather is beatutiful outside.

Blessings of Guru Bhagwant and Relatives

I went to Shankheshwar Parshavnath & Navrangpura Derasar for darshan and did guru vandan to Arihantsagar Maharaj Saheb who was shishya of  Mota Pandit Maharaj ji. I was lucky to get sometime of maharaj ji to sit and discuss the questions I had for Navanu. Also went to Devaki Nandan Derasar for Nana Pandit Maharaj ji's Vaskshep. Feel blessed to get the Vaskshep of those guru bhagwants from whom I have learn and understand the concept of jainism.

I went to meet Sulachnamasi-masa, Babukaka-kaki, Manjulakaki and saw Dipal's parents & bhabhi at Bharatkaka's apt. Visited Baroda to get the blessings of the only great grandparent Hasuba. Glad to see that she is doing good. Met Mrudulamasi, Ashokmasa & Pallumasi. I stopped by at Jagdishkaka's house and met Darshanaben and family there. I visited Ramukaka at his place and happy to see that his allergies are almost gone! Lot of other family members and friends came to greet me at Swastic. Thanks to Pallaviaunty-Satishuncle(CherryHill, USA) for calling me to greet for navanu...

p.s.- check the new photos in the gallery..

Finally landed!!!

Reached to Ahmedabad... almost exactly 2 days delayed.. Aakhare Bharat bhumi par pohchi ... First day in A'bad - Met parents after 7 months!!! Really excited.. Went out for shopping, ate lunch & dinner at Restaurant.. Many family members visited to greet for Navanu.. Rajmama, Shobhamami, Bharakaka, Vilaskaki, Dipal, Hansifoi-Fua, Anishbhai, Jasumasi, Nehaben-Jijaji & Shashwat, Darshanaauty-Maheshuncle..woooooo!!!! Packing for Palitana is almost done as well. 3 days till my next trip to the holy city - Palitana.

And she's off...

Maulee managed to get an earlier flight today- she will be in India exactly 24 hours later than her expected arrival (Monday 10pm). She plans to spend the next few days in Ahmadabad and will leave for Palitana on Saturday. Step 4 is done... now all you have left is step 5, step 6, step 7... step 3500 (and then multiply that by 108) We all miss you already and wish you luck.

A minor set back!!!

Flight canceled!  Finished the first 3 steps of my journey, but step 4 will be delayed:

Step 1. Leave philly

Step 2. Say goodbye to the parents

Step 3. Say goodbye at Ninakaki's

Step 4. Board plane... didn't happen.

My flight is rescheduled for tomorrow (Sunday) at midnight... hopefully this will go smoother.  If you don't hear from me tomorrow, that should mean things are going according to plan.

Last night in US

Well- this is it!  No backing down now... I am looking forward to it. 

I am in Philadelphia tonight and plan to leave from Newark tomorrow afternoon.  I will be seeing my parents in NJ and many family members at Ninakaki's right before my flight.  I am fully packed and in good health.

Hope we can all keep in touch over these next two months...