Miraculous Story of Elephanta Journey

Visit to Elepahanta: One day Anukul Chandra Banerjee who had come along with Thakur wanted to see the Elephanta caves. The problem was how to arrange for the trip which involved a journey by boat or steamer from the Bombay harbour to the Elephanta Island some miles away, The Lord was always surrounded by a large number of admirers and devotees, and if he started, a big crowd was sure to accompany Him. It would be necessary to arrange for a steamer, rather than a boat if the whole party was to be accommodated. The trip would be an expensive affair. Bro. Dwarakadas and others were in a dilemma.

At this stage, a Mohammedan gentleman came to their rescue. He owned several launches, and he was directed in a dream to go and see the Lord at Krishna Kunj. He came straight to the place and had darshan of the Lord. In the course of conversation with devotees the gentleman heard the proposal to visit elephanta. He at once offered his services. He said that he would take the entire party in a special steamer to the island, and also bring them back safely to the shore after their visit to the island was completed. A rich Marwari, who was the owner of a sweetmeat shop offered to arrange for the feasting at the island, bearing all the expenses himself.

Thakurji with The Haranath Society Devotees at Elephanta Caves Island near Mumbai (Year 1920)

Next day at the appointed time the Lord set out with all His followers, reached the island and inspected the caves and other objects of interest there.

Bhimji Zaveri – Father of Tribhovandas Bhimji Zaveri (Companion of Thakur on this Tour)

In the evening when the return journey was about to commence, there was a heavy storm. The steamer stood at a distance from the landing stage and people had to get into a boat first and thence be transferred to the steamer. From the look of the sky, it seemed that the storm would continue for a long time and the prospect of a quick return to the mainland seemed well-nigh impossible, Smt. Manik Bai (wife of Sjt. Dwarakadas Kalyandas Mody who was among the party, in her despair began to weep. The Lord maintained an inscrutable silence. Then it occurred to the devotees that should chant the Divine Name. And forthwith they began to sing, ‘Jai Haranath Jai – Kusum Kumari Jai’ in loud chorus. Within five minutes after the chanting began, the storm subsided completely. The visitors quickly boarded the steamer and returned to the shore without the least difficulty (B.R. Mody).

N.B. Collected and compiled from “Lord Haranath-Antya Leela (Volume 3-Part 1)” written by A. Ramakrishna Sastry, 1972.

Jai Haranath Jai Kusumkumari Jai