As children in school, we learnt about the evolution of humans. Early humans were hunters and gatherers. They roamed in forests and lived in caves. But where and how were these caves? The answer lies here in Bhimbetka. At a distance of about 45 Km from Bhopal, within the premise of Ratapani wildlife sanctuary lies the most wonderful site Bhimbetka, famous for the rock shelters that were home to the earliest man.

On my recent visit to my parental house in Kasganj, I had a chance to go to a nearby village Soron-ji which is located on the banks of River Ganga. This village is known as the birthplace of Goswami Tulsidas, who composed the famous Ram Charit Manas. We were here to attend the “Ganga Arti” that has started as a daily ritual in the evenings at the Haripadi Ganga ghat. This Ghat is the central point of the village and has been beautifully renovated in past few years with the efforts of some local residents.

अवन्तिकायां विहितावतारं मुक्तिप्रदानाय च सज्जनानाम् | अकालमृत्योः परिरक्षणार्थं वन्दे महाकालमहासुरेशम् ‖ 3 ‖ – Meaning: I salute that Maha Kala, Who is the lord of all devas, Who has incarnated in the city of Avanthi, For giving salvation to good people, And to save people from untimely death. The third temple in the series of Jyotirlingas is the Mahakaleshwar temple of Ujjain in the state of Madhya Pradesh. Located on the banks of river Shipra, Ujjain is among the most ancient cities of India.

श्रीशैलशृङ्गे विविधप्रसङ्गे शेषाद्रिशृङ्गेऽपि सदा वसन्तम् | तमर्जुनं मल्लिकपूर्वमेनं नमामि संसारसमुद्रसेतुम् ‖ 2 ‖ – Meaning I salute him who is the bridge to the ocean of life, Who is in the company of all gods, And living in the union of Sri Shaila, Who resides on the peak of Thula, And who is called Mallikarjuna The second Jyotirlinga, Mallikarjun is situated on Mount Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh. Mount Srisailam is also called Kailash of South India.

सौराष्ट्रदेशे विशदेऽतिरम्ये ज्योतिर्मयं चन्द्रकलावतंसम् | भक्तप्रदानाय कृपावतीर्णं तं सोमनाथं शरणं प्रपद्ये ‖ 1 ‖ – Meaning I seek refuge of the Soma Nadha, Who is in the holy and pretty Sourashtra, Who is dazzling with light, Who wears the crescent of the moon, Who has come there to give, The gift of devotion and mercy. The Somnath Temple is located near Veraval (in Saurashtra region) in the west coast of Gujarat.