Reported by : Gayanthi Dilrukshi
About four decades ago we went on a pilgrimage to sripada as a novice with a large number of pilgrims led by a leader known as “Nade gura”. We went fully prepared in full faith to worship this hold place. It was considered a sacred pilgrimage Because the people be lived it to be a place full of miracles, as it is a holy mountain guard by God Saman. All of us climber the mountain at night singing devotional songs. We had to be very careful about our speech and behavior
.Because it was said that God Saman gets offended for such things and gives punishments.
Unlike today those days it was very difficult to climb as there weren’t electricity water supply and steps.
People of all faith used to go on pilgrimage to the hold place. So nobody consumed liquor or sang songs while going up hill and down hill. There wasn’t any police or security guard at the holy place because nobody expect devotees climbed this place. There were in stories of punishments given by the God Saman to the misdemeanors
.But now…. Everybody goes to sripada just to enjoy but not to worship with devotion. It’s a place full of thugs. Pick pockets and rogues, some are used to polluting this holy place by dumping garbage. So there police check points and guards to bring such culprits to book. As a result of that. I am reluctant to visit this holy place any more.