Short Story: Bholenath by Rakesh Pandey

Rakesh Pandey captures a powerful tale of faith bringing together the mortal and the immortal to create a spectacular ending.

Dayashankar Pandey rubbed chandan on the small and round slab of stone and looked disdainfully at Girdhar Tiwari. “Panditji, I’m astounded by your lukewarm reaction to such catastrophic news! It’s just because of people like you that the Hindu Sanskriti is on the verge of oblivion. How can you even think that Benaras will tolerate a ban on Mahashivratri procession? Aag barsegi, aag!”  He fumed and cursed the government. He also cursed Girdhar Tiwari for good measure. 

Girdhar adjusted his canvas umbrella and laughed. He looked towards Manikarnika and gargled from the water of the lota in his hand. He came back to Mahadev sitting on ghat steps and offered a small ball of bhang, which placated the angry and arrogant Brahmin. “Arre guru, kahe baurawat haya? Things will be fine.”