Shri Ajay Vrujlal Thakkar is a priest of Shri Gopallal Haveli, Porbandar. The wooden bench on which Swami Vivekananda sat on 2-11-1892 in this temple has been gifted by him to Ramakrishna Mission, Porbandar.
The information I have regarding Swami Shri Vivekanandji, I have received from my aunt Smt. Ushaben Purohit and an elderly devotee who was a guest named Harkishen Kansara(Hakka Bapa). What they narrated to me, I am sending to you.
On 2-11-1892, it was Monday (Kartik Sud Ekam), we had a ‘Manorath’ – a celebration, according to the tradition of Vallabhacharya. Just 15 minutes before the darshan was about to close, that is at 5.15 pm, Pandit Shankar Pandurang arrived with Shri Swami Vivekananda Maharaj in a buggy. He was a disciple of Shri Ramakrishna Paramhansa. They were accompanied by two spear-clad bodyguards.
When they entered the haveli chowk, Panditji asked the bodyguards to wait there. As he removed his shoes and moved towards the darshan, Swamiji also removed his ‘chakdi’ and kept his ‘dand’-walking stick aside. After darshan, Swamiji was introduced to the Mukhiya of Sinhpur by Panditji. His name was Amarji Indraji Yagnik (Jani). Amarji joined his hands and did pranam to Swamiji and Swamiji also did pranam to him. He requested them to stay a little while longer, since it was almost the time for aarti. Swamiji and Panditji sat on the glass ‘hindola’ of the haveli. When it was time for the aarti, again both of them came to Sinhpur. After the aarti was over, the Mukhya requested Swamiji to partake of the prasad ‘Annakut.’ He called a boy named Naran and asked him to make the necessary arrangements. Naran went and came back and said respectfully that everything was ready. Swamiji took the wooden stick in his hand, went upstairs with Panditji and sat on the wooden platform over there. Naran waited nearby with folded hands. After sometime, the Mukhya arrived and sat facing them on another wooden platform. He explained the Annakut is done with the bhava of gopas and gopis. When Shri Krishna did the puja of Vraj instead of Indra in Gokul, it invited Lord lndra’s wrath over Vraj. Then Shri Krishna lifted the mountain with his little finger. You must be familiar with this story. That is why the Annakot is in the shape of a mountain.
We also have the tradition of Chhappan Bhog. But that is laid out flat, not in the shape of a mountain. The sentiment behind it is that Radhaji’s father is feeding the people.
Swamiji asked which image do they worship in the haveli. The Mukhya said we don’t have any image. The founder of our organisation is Shri Mahaprabhuji. His fourth generation descendant is Shri Gopal Lalji. We worship his ‘paduka’. In our organisation, we don’t use the word puja, we use the word seva.
He requested them to take the prasad. They both agreed. Naran went downstairs and prepared the plates. He bought water in a copper vessel. After eating the prasad, Swamiji said – “Wah, this was delicious! I feel very contented and satisfied. May you continue to do the seva is our blessing to you.”
Swamiji, Panditji and the Mukhya came downstairs where a devotee Devchand Bapa was waiting. On seeing the Mukhya, he said – “Jai Shri Gopal!” The Mukhya greeted him the same way. He introduced everyone to each other and then came till the gate to see them off. Both of them left with the two bodyguards. Mukhya informed Devchand Bapa that I gave them some information regarding the temple and the Annakut.
This above knowledge is authentic as per my knowledge.
Ajay Vrajlal Thakor
This information was given to me by my father Morarji Devchand and an elderly relative, Vallabhdas Devchand.
I have given this information to Ajay.
Kansara Harkishandas Morarji
The above information is true to the best of my knowledge. My grandfather Shri Gopalji used to do seva at the temple. This is what my father told me. This incident happened many years ago. My nephew Ajay has narrated an authentic incident.
Usha Mahendra Purohit
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