Divine Rescue: How Guru Maharaj Saved My Son from the Uphaar Cinema Fire
In the summer of 1997, during the holidays, my 15-year-old son, Bhanu, asked for permission to go to the cinema with his friends for the first time. When I inquired, he named Raj Bhaiya and six other friends, all from good families who had also received permission from their parents. I allowed him to go and left for my office. From my office, I went to Shri Siddhadata Ashram, where I was dedicating my services to the construction of the Lakshmi Narayan Temple.
You must have heard about the Uphaar Cinema fire in Delhi, where many people tragically lost their lives due to the fire. My son was in the same cinema hall watching a movie. However, by Baba’s grace, he and his friends all escaped safely.
When I asked my son to describe the incident in detail, he recounted that shortly after the show started, Gurudev appeared (around the same time, Gurudev Falahari Maharaj was at the temple). My son said that suddenly, he felt a strong urge from within, telling him to get up and go outside. He quickly told his friends, and they all held hands, forming a chain. At that moment, they saw a Baba with a beard who told them to leave the hall immediately and helped them form a chain with his own hands.
Bhanu explained that as soon as they exited the hall, they realized it had caught fire. The doors were jammed, preventing anyone inside from escaping, leading to the tragic deaths of many due to suffocation. Thanks to Guruji’s immense grace, not only was our child saved, but his friends also returned safely to their homes. June 13, 1997, remains a memorable day in our lives and those of all the families involved.
The next morning, I went to Shri Siddhadata Ashram. After bowing in the Dev Darbar and heading towards the Yagyashala, I had the darshan of Guruji. I greeted him, and he smiled and asked, “Is your son alright? He didn’t even enter the theater. I made sure he left just three minutes before the fire.” I was left speechless and deeply moved, realizing the truth in Guruji’s words.
It is true that serving Guruji never goes in vain. Guruji himself looks after our well-being and safeguards us from harm.
Vinod Meelak, Delhi
