Supriya Banerjee, 68, was pleasantly surprised when she reached Belur Math on a Saturday afternoon. The resident of Calcutta was visiting the Math after a year. All the way from home, she was silently wondering how she would walk the distance to the temple from the main gate. Arthritis has damaged both her knees and she can hardly walk. As she got off her car at the main entrance, Supriya was received by a white golf cart that was waiting at the gate to collect people and drive them down to the temple premises.
Like Supriya, other senior citizens visiting Belur Math, consider this service a blessing. The free ride from the main gate of the Math to the smaller boundary gate near the temple was started some months back to save the 250 metres walk for senior citizens and those with any physical disability or injury. “Most of the elderly devotees who visit the Math suffer from some form of arthritis. There are others who are physically challenged. For them, having to walk all the way from the entrance to the temple is a challenge. These vehicles have proved to be useful for such devotees. We will soon have to bring some more of these carts to provide better service,” said a spokesperson at the Math. On special days, the service seems to be most useful. The road is divided into two sections, one for walkers while the other is used by the carts. In this way, the Math authorities have avoided any chaos or confusion.
The 11-seater vehicles are open on all sides and have a hood. There is one seat next to the driver and nine others at the back. The carts run on battery, thus avoiding pollution at the Math. At present there are two such vehicles running inside the math from morning till evening. Only in the afternoon, when the Math is closed, the vehicles are not available. However, not just senior citizens or the physically challenged, but young visitors to the Math who are not willing to take a walk, are also enjoying the services. “We often tell young boys and girls that this service is for elderly people, but no one pays heed,” said a driver of the cart. However, no one is refused a ride.
After being dropped off at the pipe gate that is a few metres from the main temple, there are still some who find it difficult to walk around the Math compound to visit all the temples. “Since the carts are not allowed to move around the temples inside the Math, there is a free wheelchair service available for devotees. These are easily available with the security guards on the premises,” said a monk.
