GRAND DAY

Saturday, June 28th, 2025

Amherstberg, Ontario

When you are going to drive for eight hours, there and back, and you want to fit in some time for foot travel, it can be a challenge.  I mentioned to my driver, Pradeep, that I have a plan.  “I’m leaving for our journey first by walking north on Avenue Road, west on St. Claire, north on Bathurst, west on Eglinton – pick me up there, please.”  That alone got me to near the 10,000 footsteps number.

That walk was novel.  It’s Saturday – early – the sun was rising.  I stopped at any Saskatoon tree where the berries are ripe and got my nourishment before the drive westbound for a home program.

Actually, it was a homa at a home.  Homa is South Indian for a fire ritual.  At that home of Rashmi, an immigration lawyer, people of the Windsor area came.  The area is ultra flat and black, just prime agricultural soil.  I grew up in these parts.  My heart melted.  By the end of the day, a group of us went for water sports in Lake Erie.  The day was hot.  We deserved it. 

On the more spiritual end of things, the homa was conducted in the backyard under a good shade.  On a hot day, who needs fire?  Well, a small kund (metal container) held sand and sticks were spices, herbs, and grains were tossed in while mantras were chanted.  Rashmi took initiation with a new name, Ritika, a vibrant and artistic soul.  Her mum got the name Rajani after a sacred river.  Finally, her dad, Ashok, received the finest name – Ajai, meaning ‘the invincible’.  The day was just grand, like most days in bhakti.  Online was a dear lady from Guyana, and she was graced with the name Padyavali. 

BY THE BEACH

A YOUNG ATTENDEE AT THE HOMA.

11,173 FOOTSTEPS