Ravi’s visit to Gauri temple, Kashi

The Mangla Gauri Temple in Gaya, Bihar, India, is an ancient temple dating back to the 15th century, dedicated to Goddess Shakti, also revered as Durga Maa — the embodiment of divine feminine energy. Devotees visit this sacred site seeking the goddess’s blessings and fulfilment of their prayers. The temple becomes especially vibrant during Navaratri, when worshippers gather in large numbers to honour the benevolent goddess, who symbolises nourishment and protection.

On the auspicious 8th day of Navaratri, Ravi undertook a 5-hour journey from Kashi to visit the Mangla Gauri Temple, eager for darshan. The line for darshan stretched for six hours, and security concerns temporarily halted the queue as a well-known individual was expected at the temple. Despite the challenges, Ravi waited patiently, trusting in the divine. She explained to a temple attendant that she had travelled all the way from London and had limited time. The attendant offered to help if possible, and a priest outside the temple remarked, “If Durga Maa wants you to enter, She will make it happen.”

Guided by faith, Ravi remembered Baba’s words: if she couldn’t enter by 12 p.m., her opportunity would pass. At 11:40 a.m., to her immense joy, the priest called her into the temple. She entered the shrine, located in a dim, enclosed, cave-like sanctum, and felt profoundly blessed to experience the goddess’s darshan. Ravi was enveloped in a sense of peace, protection, and a surge of divine energy — shakti. The power and presence of Durga Maa were deeply moving, leaving Ravi feeling energised and grateful.

After receiving the goddess’s blessings, Ravi expressed her gratitude with a donation to the priest and tied sacred threads around the holy tree, a traditional act symbolising prayers and wishes. This memorable experience during Navaratri was a testament to faith and divine grace.