Dhansar Mandir

Daiwaa washed the vessels at home. The washing area was outside the kitchen area but a long walk away as the kitchen did not open into the washing area. The washing area had a place to wash dishes, another cement platform to wash clothes, two open tanks to store coal and wood. Another area next to it for garbage collection. Later even the generator was kept here and Kerosene too for Lanterns and Dhibri. Dad had got a red small generator from Kolkata and later a white bigger one. Both were Japanese or Korean made. The red and the cream colours were so different from what I had ever seen. In the generator, we had to pull a thick string to make it start. After a couple of pulls or more, the machine started. The bigger the generator, the more the strength needed to pull that accelerator kind of thing. There were two iron tubs to store water to wash dishes.  The vessels were washed with ash which came from the Chulha or a coal fire. No detergents going into the drainage. No plastic coloured sponge or scrubs but coconut husk was the scrubber for the dishes. The water was not kept running. First, the dishes were rinsed in the two tubs and the last rinse was in the running water which was stored in a bucket. The washed dishes were kept in a round wooden basket which did not break for years. The 'Koyle waali' got the coal in a similar basket. Nothing fell down from her basket. The Koyle waalis were really beautiful women with fabulously toned bodies and a glow to their skin. No amount of gymming or running can give that toned look which real work can.

 We lead a very environment friendly life without dishwashers, washing machines or detergents or plastic soaked body washes and scrubs. Yeah all the colourful body wash with so called scrubs or flowers or fruits is all small particles of plastic. The ladies who sold coal usually stole in from train wagons . The wagon train full of coal passed through Jharia, Patherdih, Dhansar, Katras to Dhanbad. It had one compartment for people and I have travelled in it a few times. The train just stopped at these small stations where there was no platform. We just jumped out on the tracks with the help of other people. Walked through a maze of railway lines to my Dadi's parents house. The back door of their huge house opened near the railway line. There was a little patch of farm there and a cow shed. There was a farmer who took care of growing vegetables and the cows. Every morning, fresh milk was sent to the main house from the back yard. This back door was hardly opened except to let the farmer and the cows out of the house. We sometimes had to walk from Beant House to the Nani house in Dhobatand.

I remember walking to Mandir at Dhansar from Dhobatand with my Grandmother. There was no road as this was a shortcut. Where the row of Bungalows ended, we walked ahead into some open uneven land till we reached the main road which led to the temple. I had walked with my cousins through these paths with wild bushes, small rocks and our carefree attitude. This temple is at the centre with two roads going on both sides like a V. It is built by the Aggarwala family who live across the road. They are a business family well off and generous. The temple has three separate Mandir inside and all entwined by greenery. It has water for the Shivling and water to wash our feet and separate drinking water. The temple is an ocean of tranquility with all the heat and traffic outside. Thankfully the area does not have too many shops. People have to specially stop at this temple if they want to visit for Darshan. It is on the road but it is not on the way. Like you cannot say I was shoping and I dropped by at the temple or we were dining out and went there. The cleanliness and the white marble is welcoming, cooling and calming to the body and the soul. This temple had the best Vastra ie clothes for the Murtis. The Aunty used to choose fabrics and make really beautiful patterns for all the Gods. The timings were always maintianed for the Arti and afternoon it was closed. Every Sunday before our dinner at Hotel Skylark, we all went to Dhansar Mandir for Darshan. This was followed by a visit to meet Gauri Bai's parents Bapuji and NaniMa.  We did this every Sunday without fail. 

This time when I was in Dhanbad, I went to the Mandir. Luckily, the wedding venue where most functions were held was right across the Dhansar Mandir.. There was a fair outside for Janmashtami, Krishna's birthday. The sellers had some shiny balloons and lot of Pani Puri stalls, all set up by ten am. To my pleasant surprise, the temple inside was beautiful and calm as ever. It was green too. They had done some decorations in the back side of the temple. Rest all remained as grand and as spiritual as before. All the memories came rushing back of my previous visits. One I distinctly remember is  of a Diwali morning in the Mandir, meeting Chandrakala Aunty, whose family had built the temple. She is the best dressed lady and most gracious one I have ever known. She would greet us with warmth and I was totally enamoured by her stupendously gorgeous self. I attended a Bhagwat Saptah in their house. It was amazing to listen to Bhagwat Katha for seven days. 

One topic flows into another just like life...seamlessly.