Man’s thoughts dwindle between
the extremes; the existence and non existence of GOD. Most of us have a strong
belief in the super power yet; the rest may contradict or remain neutral with
the idea. Nevertheless the places of worship attract people of all the possible
faith exisitng and bring oneness among different people who are varied in
religion, caste, creed or profession. It brings together the rich, the poor, the
worthy, unworthy, everyone under one roof and belief. Each one have their own
way of connecting with the Divine. Some blindly worship without even giving a
thought of whether they like to do it or not. They keep requesting the Almighty
to make life easier. To them, God is someone who resets life while in trouble. Praying
becomes a part of routine for such people. While some sincerely believe in god,
worship and stick to the religious rituals with utmost sincerity. Very few take
themselves beyond religion and follow tradition and relish the spiritual
progress.
Quite different from all these categories are the crème
of people who treat god like their best friend and I am one among them. My
favorite god is Devi. Whatever happens in my day to day life I will share it
with her, be it happy ones, extremely
sad or even when I am excited or overwhelmed I will let out all my emotions only to
my soul mate Devi. I have asked her to give my favorite questions in the exam
which I want write!
The one place which is very
close my heart is Periya paalayathu amman temple in Royapettah. Right from the
foetus stage, in my mother’s womb, I have been going to that temple. It makes
me nostalgic every time I stand before her in that temple. My grandmother being
a devotee of the main deity Devi of that temple, she made me and my sister to
say only that Devi’s name when she first taught us to pray. Till date, it is
her name we say as a reflex even when the ear splitting thunder strikes! That’s
the kind of bond I have with my Devi.
Of late there have been many questions in my mind about
my connection with the supreme power. Not knowing how and where to start, I
just joined a small pilgrimage trip where I got the opportunity to visit some
of the best temples in and around Chennai city. In all the temples I visited it
was the Devi, the feminine energy which pulled me strongly towards her. Vadiudai
amman in Arulmigu thyagaraja swamy thiru kovil at Thiruvottriyu, Thiru udai
amman at Mellore and Kodi idai amman temple at Thirumullaivoyal.
Whether one believes in god or not, our temples are
wonderful work of art and culture. The sheer beauty strewn all over the temple
walls which narrates the story of the temple’s main deity. Everything about our
South Indian temples are beautiful, the crimson kum kum, water splashed on the
vast temple flooring, just a single lit wick clearing the darkness of the
shrine and the grey soot climbing up the wall, the smell of the Prasad, ash and
what not?
Going to temple with family itself is an enjoyable
experience. I am torn between extremes, faith, belief, beauty, family time, hot
sweet pongal! Oh my god! What am I going to temple for? Right now I go for all
of these. *winks* .Here I stand, trying to define spiritual trips with a
confused mind.
Travel isn’t just about seeing new places. It is a
journey which helps you discover a little more about yourself. Maybe be not a
flight trip , maybe not a train trip, maybe not a million kilometers away..
Travel is just about leaving your usual self behind in your closet and barging
into the big world trying to find the different dimensions of your personality.
So, get up! Just walk out! And make your teeny tiny trip
to the unstirred area of your neighborhood.. whether a temple or a pond or a
park or even a super market. Why miss the opportunity to know yourself a little
better than yesterday.
Bon voyage folks!
-N&N
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