The rest of the journey was filled with joy and wonder...
From one corner,
Goddess Parvati and Devi Manasa walked together, finally as one family...
In other,
Rudra and the other Divines walk together, laughing and chatting among themselves, enjoying their newfound bond.
As both groups arrived at the foothills of the abode of Mahadev and Mata Parvati...
At the foothills...
Rudra saw...
Goddess Parvati and Devi Manasa arrive hand in hand, together.
Where Devi Manasa appeared to be enjoying every moment as if a kid with their parents is on a family trip.
That's when Rudra remembered Devi Anvi's words,
"It's nothing, Rudra, it's just our sister finally got acknowledged as part of our family."
Seeing everyone together, Devi Manasa stopped holding hands and came forward. She looked at Mata Parvati, who smiled and gave her a slight nod with their head to go forward.
Rudra also looked at Goddess Parvati, who gave a reluctant nod with a smile and vanished, and went back by the side of Mahadev.
~
Siblings hugged Devi Manasa and congratulated her on finally being accepted as a daughter and completely being part of their family.
After getting a hug from the family, Devi Manasa looked back at Rudra and said,
"Rudra, come here..." with a cold but gentle tone.
- Startled, Rudra, who was watching them hug together with happiness, gave a nod and hesitatingly stepped forward.
As he came, he stopped for a second and looked at her arms, then her eyes and her arms and eyes again...
And what he saw was a deep frown on the face of Devi Manasa. With a slightly colder tone this time, she said,
"What are you waiting for? You hugged others, and now I am the one asking, and you are hesitating."
Rudra turned his head towards the others,
Devi Aranyani and Ganga Mata, who were giving him an amused smile,
Devi Jyoti and Devi Narmada gave a shrug and a thin smile.
Devi Anvi chuckled unhesitatingly, and Ganesha also gave a small laugh with stoic Karthikeya by his side, along with Nandi ji, a silent guardian.
"Where are you looking at? I'm still waiting..."
Seeing that he had no option, Rudra came forward and went for a hug.
Even though he now reached a good height of 6'3, he was still more than a head smaller than Devi Manasa.
Who rested her chin on his head and whispered...
"Thanks, Rudra"
"Huh... What? Um why?... Okay, thank you. No, I mean welcome." Rudra replied unsynchronised.
Hearing such an awkward reply, Devi Manasa chuckled and said,
"Chuckles... Yes, thank you too, brother."
"Hey! Me too, I also want hugs." Ashok Sundari joined in,
Devi Narmada, Devi Jyoti.
Lord Ganesh and Karthikeya, too.
Being the big brother of height at least 8 feet, Karthikeya gave them a protective brotherly hug.
Seeing them hug so lovingly, Devi Aranyani couldn't help but comment,
"Cough... Cough, will you guys stop hugging each other already? Who was it that kept fighting as if they couldn't see eye to eye? And we were asking why and how he became our brother."
"Uhm... Yes, let's go, mother and father are waiting for us to arrive, we have to eat dinner too." Karthikeya stepped back and commented.
"Hmm, yes. Let's go." Goddess Ganga said.
The path up from the foothill was amazing to say, on both sides flower garden was maintained, with different colours of flowers together.
Also, big trees that form a large canopy over the path, and have a road and an illusionist vibe.
By crossing the path,
Rudra, with everyone in tow, reached a place that was more beautiful than anything he could tell.
It wasn't the beauty that his eyes could see, but just being there felt as if everything around was what beauty must be.
....
Just as Rudra crossed the boundary, he saw four ladies with divine appearance and soothing feel.
One gave the feeling of strength and sharpness, Devi Vali.
One gave the feeling of patience and firm belief, Devi Devsena.
One gave the feeling of eternal and final peace of spirituality, Devi Sidhis.
One gave the feeling of abundance and prosperity, Devi Ridhi.
A Mushak who was looking at him with a scrutinising gaze.
A Mayur who watches him with silent judgment.
They joined in with the group.
Devsena and Vali stood beside Karthikeya.
Ridhi and Sidhi stood beside Ganesha.
Mayur joined with Desena and Vali.
But Mushak went directly for Rudra.
He changed his size to a smaller one and climbed up on his shoulder.
"Hmm..." With a pondering look, he looked at Rudra up and down,
"You are quite handsome for a mortal, not much, but definitely. But it's a given you are to be the brother of My 'Mushak's Lord." He jumped away and landed near Ganesha.
And increased his size to 5 feet.
"Prabhu, he seems fine. We can take him with us when we go to eat new and delicious dishes on Earth. He can't even eat much, so he won't be a problem."
Ganesha smiled and gave him a short slap on the back of his head and said,
"Shut up, or mother may not even give you treats and food for the night."
"Huh! Why, okay, I won't say anything." Mushak replied hurriedly.
While Ganesha and Mushak were chatting,
Devi Aranyani and Ashok Sundari had introduced all four new Divines, as well as Mayur.
Where Mushak went by and introduced himself already.
The walk continues, and they arrive at the same cave. Rudra arrived and began his tour of the Kailash.
But now he could see more, feel more, love more and be more present to fully appreciate the beauty of the cave and its surroundings.
After entering, Rudra found himself face-to-face with Mahadev and Mata Parvati,
Mahadev, who stood 9 feet, and Mata Parvati, 8'10.
Both were sitting on the carved stones pr wood, around a table made of wood. Rudra couldn't distinguish the material from which they were made.
Mata Parvati pointed towards the seats, and everyone joined in.
Goddess Ganga sat left side of Mata Parvati, Devi Jyoti sat just beside the right arm of Mahadev. Devi Narmada sat beside her.
Then onwards, seats were filled by
From the goddess Ganga were filled by first Ashok Sundari, then on her left, Devi Manasa.
Karthikeya left one seat empty beside, Devi Narmada, where sat Devsena.
On their right sat Vali.
Again, leaving one seat empty, sat Ganesha, on whose left sat Riddhi and on the right side Siddhi.
Beside them sat Devi Aranyani.
Nandi ji went and stood beside Mahadev and Mata Parvati.
Mushak stood beside Ganesha.
Mayur beside Karthikeya.
When everyone settled down, only one seat was left, which was between,
Devi Aranyani and Devi Manasa.
Seeing everyone had settled down, Rudra first gave a bow to Mahadev and Mata Parvati.
Seeing him bow, both Mata Parvati and Mahadev smiled and said.
"Sit down, child. Do you want us to leave hanging?"
"Yes, child. I have also prepared food for all of us, so sit down and talk with us for a minute and let me serve the food then."
"Um... Yes, uh..." Rudra asked and sat between Devi Manasa and Devi Aranyani.
"You can call us father and mother. Just like every other sibling of yours." Mahadev said.
"You can call me Maa, you know. It's much better. And it suits you, the Chandra Vastra, you are looking dashing, Anvi, you did an amazing job by picking such beautiful clothes for him, and Karthikeya, these are amazing sandals." Goddess Parvati gave a maternal smile filled with happiness.
Karthikeya gave a proud nod, and Ashok Sundari gave a cheerful smile to both Rudra and Mata Parvati.
"Uh...Yes." Rudra said while blushing and nodding.
Seeing him blush, everyone except Karthikeya and Mahadev.
When Rudra sat on the chair prepared for him, he was astonished to feel comfort beyond words. He couldn't help but think that maybe they could be as comfortable as top hotels or maybe even more.
Seeing his silent musing, Mahadev couldn't help but give a few chuckles of their own.
Then, Mahadev spoke,
"Child, for what you have achieved, by containing the power of both Destruction and preservation, and not only containing but combining, is the greatest of all. I'm quite proud of you." Mahadev gave a smile and a nod of approval.
"Yes, and also very nice of you all to give him such amazing gifts. Especially you, Aranya, thank you for giving him that specific fruit, as well as the mark of the forest. It also helped a lot." They looked at Devi Aranyani and smiled at them.
"And thanks, Ganga, for giving him the water that touched upon the feet of my brother."
"Even though you have achieved this much, don't take your training lightly, okay. The time you have chosen to travel to is as dangerous as entertaining it could be. You know." Mahadev gave a thoughtful warning.
"Train him well, children, okay. It's your duty now to make him capable and perfect." Goddess Parvati smiled and asked her children.
"Maa, what about food? Can't we eat first and talk later? It's been some time since I ate without restraint, and your handmade food at that." Ganesha requested with their hands on their stomach.
Everyone chuckled at Ganesha's antics.
"Yes, yes of course, Lambodar, I have prepared quite a lot, so you don't have to worry."
"Well, we'll talk about this while eating, child. It seems my kid is hungry." They gave a motherly smile.
"Let me serve the food first."
Just as they said this, different types of food and eatables manifested on the table.
There were, from Modaks, one of the favourite meals of Ganesha, to the sacred Panchamirtham beloved by Kartikeya, the surface of the divine table expands to hold the weight of a thousand offerings.
The aroma of pure cow ghee, roasted spices, and fresh forest honey fills the air as the Grand Bhog takes its place in a mesmerising display:
From the North: The Royal Shrines
Amritsari Kulcha & Pindi Chole; Golden, butter-drenched leavened breads served with dark, spice-infused chickpeas.
Kashmiri Shufta: A heavy, honey-soaked medley of dry fruits, saffron, and paneer bits.
Paneer Chaman; Cubes of fresh cottage cheese swimming in a fragrant yellow gravy of fennel and ginger.
Malpua with Rabri; Deep-fried pancakes soaked in sugar syrup and topped with thick, reduced milk.
The South: The Sacred Hills
Palani Panchamirtham: The "Five Nectar" blend of hill bananas, jaggery, cow ghee, honey, and cardamom, the soul of Kartikeya's worship.
Thinai Maavu & Honey; Earthy foxtail millet flour mixed with raw wild honey, a rustic forest treasure for Valli.
Sakkarai Pongal: Creamy rice and moong dal cooked with jaggery and cashews until it glistens with ghee.
Bisi Bele Bath: A steaming, spicy lentil-rice harmony tempered with curry leaves and mustard seeds.
The East: The Land of Radiance
Bhoger Khichuri; Roasted moong dal and Govindbhog rice, slow-cooked to a velvety texture for the Goddess herself.
Luchi & Alur Dom; Delicate, puffed white-flour breads served with a rich, slow-cooked potato curry favoured by Devasena.
Rosogolla & Sandesh; Spongy, syrup-filled chenna globes and hand-moulded milk sweets scented with rose and date palm.
Darbesh: Bright orange, festive laddoos made from sweetened boondi and khoya.
The West: The Coastal & Desert Heart
Ukadiche Modak: Twenty-one perfectly pleated, steamed rice dumplings filled with fresh coconut and jaggery for Ganesha, Riddhi, and Siddhi.
Dal Baati Churma: Hard wheat rolls baked over embers, served with a five-lentil dal and a sweet, crumbled wheat dessert.
Dhokla & Khandvi; Savoury, tempered gram-flour cakes and delicate yellow rolls garnished with fresh cilantro and pomegranate.
Puran Poli: Thin, golden flatbreads stuffed with a sweet, aromatic lentil paste.
The Sacred Elixirs & Savouries
Panakam: A cooling jaggery and ginger drink to balance the heat of the divine weapons.
Thandai: Milk infused with almonds, melon seeds, and rose petals, cooled with the essence of the Himalayas.
Kachoris & Samosas; Flaky, spiced pastries filled with lentils and peas, representing the street-devotion of the masses.
Assorted Papad & Achar; Seven types of crunchy wafers and sun-dried mango pickles to complete the bhog.
And not just these, there were a lot of different style of food and items, such as,
Lachha Paratha, Missi Roti, Stuffed Paneer Paratha, Makki di Roti and sarson ka saag,
Dosa, Idli, Vada, Uttapam, Appam, Paniyaram, Sambar Rice, Curd Rice, Pulihora,
Radhaballabhi, Kachori, Pakhala Bhata, Kanika, Cholar Dal,
Pithla, Kheru, Shrikhand, Ghooghra, Aloo Wadi, Sohan Papdi, etc.
The table was now a vibrant map of the land, steaming with heat and glowing with the light of Mata Parvati's love.
And with that, the unlimited feast with the Gods began, filled with joy and wonder.