Lima arrival -
Moray visit - Ollantaytambo
visit -
Machu Picchu Arrival and Rituals - Machu
Picchu ruins tour -
Nazca
Video of Sri Swamiji's message in Machu Picchu, Peru
Sri Swamiji's pilgrimage to Peru - Report
PERU- the word in the local Quechua language means – Abundance. It was proved right by the visit of Sadgurudeva Sri Swamiji. Sri Swamiji had abundantly spoken about Peru and was quite passionate at times about Peru.
I
first heard about Peru from Sri Swamiji in 1977 when he showed a book
titled Chariots of the Gods by Mr.Erik Van Daniken to a physics professor
from a Bangalore college. Sri Swamiji said fantastic things about Peru,
causing the thoughts to go wild.
Since then, Sri Swamiji has been speaking occasionally about Peru and
the great beings who lived there. About three years ago, Sri Swamiji
mentioned for the first time that SWAMIJI’s first life was in
Peru. This caused a stir amongst us.
In January 2001, Sri Swamiji visited Chichenitza sun temple in Mexico.
At the top of this grand pyramid, He had a sudden desire to fly to Peru,
the first place of birth.
During the Nada Prasara tour in Switzerland this year, Sri Swamiji visited
Mystery Park of Mr.Erik Van Daniken in Interlaken city, where he has
developed a pavilion dedicated to the Peru and Nazca lines. It was while
seeing it, that Sri Swamiji made the firm decision about visit to Peru.
Sri
Swamiji left Mysore for Peru on 21st September 2004 afternoon and passed
through Bangalore, Frankfurt and Madrid, before arriving in Lima, the
capital of Peru on 24th evening at 5 PM.
Sri Swamiji stayed for 2 days in Lima. On 25th Sri Swamiji visited the
National Museum and the archeological museums. The immense display with
all wonderful explanations and thoroughness of the display just give
a glimpse in to the chronological story of the wonderland of Peru. Sri
Swamiji was immensely happy with the museum’s display of the all
round development of the ten thousand year history of various tribes
that lived in this land. The textiles, pottery, the ribbons of agricultural
terraces all over the country, the irrigation and subterranean canal
systems to water these terraces show the genius of the people. The complicated
worship and rituals seem to all relate to mother-nature (called Pachamama)
and the elements. The Quechua are today’s predominant Peruvians.
They are the descendents of the indigenous tribes.
The
name Peru is a Quechua language word which means Land of abundance.
Most Peruvians are gentle, patient, smiling and very friendly natured.
On the morning of 26th of September Sri Swamiji flew by Lan Peru to
Cusco. En route to Sacred valley, Sri Swamiji stopped at Moray ruins
where deep circularly carved agricultural terraces created micro-climates
in each step down. The Moray people thus could grow different types
of crops depending on altitude requirements. In a plain that looked
much like Tibet, Sri Swamiji stopped for a lovely moment with two baby
lambs given by a shepherd girl. We continued to Urubamba valley(named
after the river Urubamba which flows alongside the village and is a
major tributary of the great Amazon river). Sri Swamiji rested in a
Yoga retreat center in the village. This center has wonderful gardens
with sweet smelling flowers everywhere. There is even a Chakra garden
where different colored flowers represent the colors of the Chakras.
On
the 27th of September 2004, Sri glimpsed the breathtaking snow capped
Andes mountains with and the Urubamba river. Later Sri Swamiji visited
the Sun Temple ruins in Ollantaytambo village. Sri Swamiji explained
about the DVADASHA ADITYA (12 Sun forms) in the ruins. We also visited
for the first time in our lives – a WATER TEMPLE. This unique
temple has no idols. Instead, in the main shrine, a water stream flows
and enters through a underground tunnel and disappears. It was for the
first time in our lives we saw a temple dedicated only to Water –
one of the most precious gifts of Mother Earth. Sri Swamiji walked from
steps to steps and finally took a sip of water as Teertha.
From there Sri Swamiji observed the condor shaped rock formation on
a hill that was worshipped by the Incas. Sri Swamiji also saw the rock
hewn sun dial which the Inca farmers used for planning their agricultural
life.
It was an awesome sight to see all the labor of the hardy Incas translated
in to the wonderful temples that could be felt and enjoyed even 500
years after. Sri Swamiji walked around the ruins for a while and then
we returned to the retreat center.
In the evening children from the orphanage “Casa de Milagros”
(house of miracles) came and met Sri Swamiji. They also played pan flute
music. It was a fulfilling scene to see Sri Swamiji enjoying the children
– who had no future a couple of years ago – but now in safe
hands of of a small American family, who left the safe haven of America
to care for the unfortunate souls. Sri Swamiji deeply appreciated the
determination, sacrifice and joy the Allen, Marie and Mama Kia family
had put in the Casa de Milagros. Sri Swamiji gave Anagha Yantrams to
all the children and put around the neck and tied them as protection.
28th September 2004 – Tuesday
Early in the morning, we traveled from Yoga retreat center to Ollantaytambo
train station. Whilst waiting for the train, Sri Swamiji took a ride
in the Tuk Tuk, the Peruvian version of an auto rickshaw. It is a square
box mounted on a motorcycle.
By Peru Rail we traveled to Aguas Calientes, the base camp of Machu
Picchu. The train ride was magical with the nature of Peru displayed
in all its glory. The Andes mountain was all abound and around. The
train slowly reached Aguas Calientes. From there was another uphill
bus ride through sharp mountain curves for thirty minutes and JAI GURU
DATTA – we were in Machu Picchu. Sri Swamiji sat under a tree
and gazed around. Finally here was Machu Picchu, Wayna Picchu and the
Inca ruins. Sri Swamiji silently sat for a long time. He then said that
many mountains here were Blessed mountains and that in Kurma Purana,
mention of these mountains have been made and that some mountains here
played their role in the Samudra Mathana – churning of the milk
ocean for Amrita – Nectar. Sri Swamiji also said that this place
has unique special energy and vibrations.
After dark, at about 6.30 PM, Sri Swamiji walked to the ruins. It was
full moon night – Bhadra Pada Purnami. Sri Swamiji sat on a Inca
terrace under the sun temple. The panoramic view of the mountains in
the front and the ruins all around – surrounding us was immensely
powerful. The mountains are called APU and are revered by the Peruvians.
We had carried with us three long white cloths with names and signatures
of many people. They were placed before Sadgurudeva. Sri Chakra Sumeru
and Saligrama Puja were held. Sri Swamiji meditated as the full moon
rose and for about two hours – the ceremony went on.
The
air was cool and still. Clouds played around the full moon created various
patterns and designs. Wayna Picchu – probably one of the most
recognized mountains in the world and Putukusi (happy face) mountain
and the ruins all around were bathed in the soft and silky moonlight.
To view the ruins in the night was a great privilege and a delight.
On the 29th of September, Sri Swamiji toured the entire ruins for about
four hours. These dazzling masonry monuments of Machu Picchu that identifies
Peru today, are sophisticated and artistic and profoundly energetic
with Spiritual Shakti. The very presence in the area energizes.
The
Incas were the last of the rulers to flourish in Peru. Tiwanaku and
Wari civilizations flourished centuries before the Incas. Unfortunately
the Incas were destroyed by the invading Spaniards. Greater devastation
was the disease brought across the Atlantic. Indigenous people of South
America had no genetic immunity to the small pox, measles and other
diseases and epidemics. They had no knowledge or treatment to these
deadly scourges that caused one of the world’s greatest demographic
catastrophes. Only those living in the high altitude of Andes in Peru,
Bolivia and Ecuador survived.
Sri Swamiji went through the buildings of the Sun temple, priest quarters,
king’s chambers, The Veera Kocha (Incan God) shrine which according
to the guide was never completed, the terraces, the Llama cameloids,
the various sun dials and stone quarries were all visited. Sri Swamiji
gave a video message to devotees from the Vira Kocha temple. Sri Swamiji
remembered Sri Shailam, Chamundi hill, Mount Kailas and Mount Fuji.
From a vantage point reached by a slippery climb, Sri Swamiji carefully
knotted while chanting Mantras and tossed the three signed cloths down
the valley. Sri Swamiji said it was a gift offering to Pachamama (Mother
Earth in Quechua language).
In
the evening, back at the ruins Homa and a Quechua ceremony were held
simultaneously. While Ganapati Homa was performed, Quechua lady priest,
Mrs.Nohemi held a Quechua ritual in honor of Mother earth – Pachamama.
The simple, yet artistic service contained of offering various Peruvian
grains, silver, gold and gems to mother earth and then partaking in
the offering after offering them to the spirits of mountains, air and
fire. Many local people were drawn to the rituals and were excited to
see the twin ceremonies from different faiths of antiquity performed
together. It indeed was a special evening.
On the 30th of September, we traveled down to Aguas Calientes in Urubamba
valley. We traveled to Cusco by train in the evening.
Though the town is impressive with many beautiful buildings, Sri Swamiji
felt much suffering of the Incas in the town defeated by the conquering
Spaniards. Many Incan temples were destroyed and churches built on their
very foundations.
On 1st October, Sri Swamiji flew back to Lima.
On 2nd, Sri Swamiji visited Nazca lines near the Nazca village in southern
Peru. The Nazca area is amidst the dry arid Andean desert. Nazca lines
comprise of hundreds of lines and diagrams etched on the arid Pampa
Colorado, these lines date back to 200 BC. The sheer size of the diagrams
is amazing. Condor – 443 feet long. Monkey – 360 feet, killer
whale – 210 feet, Pelican – 935 feet, humming bird –
165 feet apart from thousands of straight lines, trapezoids and triangles.
The designs are permanently etched by removing about 30 cms of rock
hard earth to create the lines. In big surfaces like triangles or trapeziums,
the entire top surface has been removed. The reasons for these giant
diagrams are shrouded in secrecy. Who lived in this inhospitable climate?
Why did they make these drawings? How were they able to make such accurate
and amazingly proportionate carvings that can only be properly visible
and understood from high above in the sky.
Sri Swamiji had once mentioned that they are believed to be ancient
landing spots for extra terrestrials. This seems to be the most plausible
reason as these diagrams are never comprehendible from ground. One can
fully see them only from air. Hence the mystery increases.
The 35 minutes single engine fight of stomach churning turns and dips
leaves you dazed, both by the flight and the scenery.
After the ride Sri Swamiji said “ There were few families living
here. It was not highly populated. It was a small community of 25 families.
It used to be a different environment then. People killed too many animals
and were cursed by the Gods. They began to pray for the animals to come
back with these giant diagrams. There are more animal diagrams yet to
be discovered. Today we have the same problem. Instead of animals we
are killing people. Today the compassion levels have greatly decreased”.
When asked “If there was a way to solve the present condition?”,
Appaji replied, “No. It is His will,” and pointed to the
sky. “It is a cycle of creation and devastation. New creation
will come and God will give us another chance again.”
Sri Swamiji made another very important statement. “It
is my belief that my very first birth was in this region. That is why
I have come back”.
Since nazcans lived in the dry plateau surrounded by the Andes mountains,
they discovered that water table existed underneath these mountains.
They made underground tunnels to carry the mountain water to their community.
These ancient wells are being used even today.Sri Swamiji visited these
ancient aqueducts so amazingly engineered by the early Nazcans, more
than three thousand years ago. These very long subterranean canals filtered
water from underground and directed it to more than sixty reservoirs.
Since it rains only three hours a year, getting water to the community
was very important. After the wells, We also saw cactus and cotton plantations.
The Antonini museum in Nazca gives a exhibition of ongoing archeological
works in the area. Sri Swamiji returned to Lima in the evening.
Sri Swamiji rested on Sunday the 3rd October 2004 and in the evening
flew back to India via Madrid and Frankfurt.
We recognize the wonderful services and co-operation of the following:
Ric Finch, Nina Alberti, Patricio and Silvia Zucconi, Dalibor, Martha
Bustamante, Myra Gandhi, Mama Kia, Augustine, Nilo, Daniel, Marie and
Allen, Christina, Antonia, Orlando, Jorge, Washington, Elder, Edgar,
Rafael Parra, Cesar, Theo, Hiromi Fuentes, Humberto
Sri
Guru Datta
*********