At Ayodhya.

Got up at a quarter past 5, the chores and was ready well within time. Breakfast and lunch were in the train before we disembarked at the Ayodhya railway station.

Lekha gifted me a lovely plaque about ‘the world’s best husband’ for my birthday this morning.

Lekha and I’d set foot on Ayodhya exactly at 12!

There’s plenty of work going on and at least about two years will be required for the entire temple complex and the communications around to be set up to peak capacity!

Meanwhile, there were calls, messages and texts wishing me many happy returns. Felt very nice.

We are put up at the Har Har Shiv Sangh complex which is a pilgrims’ hotel. The standards could be better.

After a wash and change we’d gone to Lata Chowk and further on to the bank of the River Sarayu. The ‘aarathi’ on the River Sarayu, at a half past 6, was spectacular and a humbling experience.

Returned to the hall for the ‘satsang’ followed by dinner. And then, disaster struck! On reaching our room, I found to my utter horror that Lekha’s handbag was missing. It was with me as Lekha had handed it over to me and therefore, I was the careless guy!

Went toward the satsang hall only to find the autorickshaw driver, Ravi Kashyap standing there, holding Lekha’s handbag which had valuable stuff. Paid the youngster a token money to honour his truthfulness.

My 69th birthday, therefore, turned out to be a tame affair! 

And nothing heard from the kid!!