02.02.2012 ►Amet ►Munis And Sightseeing

2012 Karuna's Mewar Tour

After Diksha we went home for lunch and rest. In the afternoon we visited the monks, and I photographed all I visited, no matter if I knew their names or not. Sometimes there even was no time to note down their names, as they all were in a hurry, like always. They are living examples of the saying, “Make use of your time, do not waste it.” They have a lot of projects how to realize best the service to mankind. But their day also has 24 hours only. Further the time to visit them is limited. After sunset visiting them is no more possible for women, and before they have to take dinner also. These are the limitations to visits. But when the rules are known, there is no difficulty to comply with. Some names are not written, because they are not known here. Every support in this matter is highly welcomed.

After visiting the monks some sightseeing in Amet was planned. Mr. Mohanlal Dak, the senior of my host family, has made donation of a Goshala, cow shelter. He regularly gives an amount of money to maintain the cows and to let them grow up their calves. No animal is sold from there. A very noble activity and a traditional Jain idea to give shelter for those buffered about or chased away. Even in India the cows no more are protected by being revered as sacred beings. Some proprietors chase them away or do not care for their maintenance. Another aspect is increasing traffic all over India, and cows rambling free in the street often are causing traffic jams. Some of them are tying the animals or taking away their calves from them. Many, many reasons for a cow shelter. I wish this tradition would come up globally.

To visit the Goshala in Amet was a very good experience. These peaceful animals live there together with their calves. A Krishna Temple is nearby. The landscape is peaceful, and the area is closed. No animal can go astray. No intruder can enter the area. When we came there, Akruti had to open the gate with the key her grandfather had given to her.

Next we went to Amet Palace. Since 21 generations it is in the hands of the Singh family. After we had visited the Shiva Temple beside, we entered the courtyard of Amet Palace. Just in this moment, Mr. Singh looked out of his window. He kindly invited us to come up for a visit. What a good luck! We got offered tea and were invited to have a look on the tiger. I thought it a joke, when Mr. Sing warned me, ”Attention, there is a tiger inside!” But it really was. Since generations the tiger had this place in the bedroom, I suppose according to his look. Mr. Singh is the descendant of a Rajput family. His ancestors all had died in the battlefield, he told me. He supposed to die in bed. Times are changing.

After all these impressions we went to Akruti Dak’s best friend Garima and then home for dinner and rest.