Spiritual Import of Religious Festivals :Ch-5. Part 7.
Chapter 5: Sivananda – The Fire of Sannyasa
Part-7.
The calibre and austerity of the life of Swamiji began to be known by people who had occasion to come to Badrinath and Kedarnath.
In those days there were no motorable roads as we have now.
From Haridwar onwards pilgrims had to walk on foot, as there was only a footpath.
There was a possibility of coming by vehicle up to Haridwar only.
I used to hear, in my younger days, that Haridwar was a place full of ice. Perhaps in those days it was very cold, colder than it is now, and people had to carry fire with them to keep themselves warm.
Such legends were in vogue then.
People who used to go by the footpath to Badrinath had to cross the Laxmanjhula Bridge and walk through what is called Phul Chatty, and other wayside halting places.
It was all jungle throughout.
Swami Sivananda was then known as the great mahatma of Swargashram.
There was neither The Divine Life Society nor the Sivananda Ashram, even to dream of.
He was familiarly known as the great saint of Swargashram—the Virakta Mahatma of Swargashram.
Swami Krishnananda
To be continued ....
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