Unforgettable, heart-warming experience at Siddhivinayak, Mumbai (most prestigious ‘Ganesh’ temple in India. Ganesh, son of ‘Shiva’ and ‘Parvati’.
Took a ‘Cool Cab‘ service from St. Regis Hotel to visit the temple at 5:30 am.
Till I reached, didn’t realise had no Indian currency to pay for taxi, buy flowers, sweets and incense for the offering. Temple ATM was unserviceable. A bit flustered, lost.
Taxi driver was kind enough to lend Rs. 2000.00 for ‘Pooja.’ Happy to wait till I returned from temple. Expressed joy and gratitude for his amazing generosity.
After an hour of ‘pooja’, nearest ATM.
1st clear conversation – me: ‘what’s your name?’ Driver, ‘Shakeel Ahmed’. Muslim 50 year old married to ‘Parvati’ a hindu woman. Was an alcoholic before he met her while dropping a passenger at the temple. She runs a flower shop.
With her sincere support, love, trust, prayers and inspiration he awakened, made real efforts to cure his alcohol addiction. A true testament to both their characters, bond.
True essence of India’s spiritual, traditional, innocent, integrated culture and dynamics. Harmonious, loving co-existence of different religions, sects, beliefs and ways of living.
Divine intervention!