Indeed, you are correct Aupmanyav, there are many temples which make opportunity to touch murtis. Nice picture! But also, just someone going up onto the altar and touching or moving anything is problematic in the least, I am always careful of edict of each temple. In this case, it was devotion that was in every step, and no one objected at all. One side thought, his "world tour" that he conducted himself was sort of in "reverse direction" of what some others might take, e.g. Vinayaka last rather than first. But his devotion shown to Ganesha also was, in my opinion, the first in order of his seeking doors to open in his next journey to Houston.
Ever since Friray, things have felt particularly blessed by the way.
- Temple Store -
We headed over to the large food area where temple lunches and feasts are held, but the food distribution had already been concluded at that time, so instead we headed over to the temple store.
The store has many delightful items, but my new friend would not let me buy him anything no matter how hard one insisted. A very nice gentleman was managing the store, he would gently bring out one fantastic murti after another from special compartments around the store desk, as well as puja items, in addition to what was already displayed openly. "God pictures" framed were also displayed, lots of religious literature in many languages and different scripts. Small scale capitalism was also in view, with fellow Hindus in business vying for your attention, be they grocery markets or travel agents, insurance, computer repair or whatever. Before I left the store, the fine gent who was managing the temple store was so nice to let me know he was a travel agent and gave me his business card, and I may look him up next time for my travel needs - I see nothing wrong with Hindus helping fellow Hindus in society and business.
I purchased a Goddess picture of Sherawali, Who is a modern emanation of ancient Durga, but instead of riding on a Lion, She rides (or in some very rare depictions stands barefoot and fully erect on the back of) a Tiger. She is special in this Age to many Hindus and especially in East India (Bangal, Oriya etc).
Then out came several objects, one caught my eye as I have seen them before. I will upload a picture to share later, but a small "Shiva Mask" made of what I call "bell metal", about an inch and a half tall and just under that in width. It is called a "mask" since it is only in face relief, not a full head, and concaved inside the back as if one could wear it as a mask. It was very old, I would guess 19th Century and worth more than the small amount I paid. My friend would have no gift.
Leaving the temple store with the shop keepers business card in pocket - "Best Domestic & International Fares - Travel Agent" - we now had the dilemma of hunger pangs.
Where to go for food? The Temple's food service was currently closed.
But wait. There are many other opportunities for temple style vegetarian food, and one popular and known location just minutes away in the same town is a huge Sikh Temple. My friend was approving of the idea, and off we go.
- A Lunch to Remember -
This Sikh complex is very large. My friend wanted to enter the main sanctum of the Gurdwara religious services, this requires wearing a head scarf, such scarfs are available just outside the main entrance. He picked a bright orange one from the box of colored selections, and so did I. Just inside we again parked our shoes on the "men's side" and washed up, then entered.
There were Sikhs but not crowded yet. We walked a long runner down the middle of the temple to the main shrine and donation box, giving a bow and donation, then with the right hand accepting prashad of halva placed in our hand with a napkin by a fine Sikh devotee who sits just to the left of the facing shrine in charge of distributing the prashad.
We then exited back out and towards the feast room right next door, another large complex separated from the main temple by a nice courtyard.
We get in a queue as we approach a "buffet" style food distribution with devotees on the other side filling our square stainless steel thali trays with hot chapatis and hot vegetarian foods and yellow rice, sweet dish, and cool water in stainless steel cups, and stainless steel spoons for the yummy soup dish.
We then line up on the floor which has long, 3 foot wide, carpet runners (the plates go onto the hard floor) with others and enjoy!
It was so delicious my new friend had two helpings of thali plate! But I had my Sikh brothers pile so much food on my plate, one was enough and it was all free, of course.
Around us on the upper parts of the four walls were portraits of Sikh men smiling, handsome indeed. There were also some very nice paintings of Sikh history. An American Sikh comes in to work with the food distributions, with turban and facial hair. There is also two other "Westerners", both young men of college age, enjoying the food as guests.
After we literally stuffed ourselves, returned the empty thali plates to a special back area (outside of the feast room), and returned to the car, my friend was praising that the belated late lunch was perfect.
He really opened up, now full of food, as we started to head more towards the area of his hotel in the car. He looked around at the sights, too, and was looking forward to the "field trip" to Monterey that would be the next day (not to be however since the "boss" flew into SFO and had to be picked up and he was going to escort my new Jain friend to Houston the next day! ugggg). I told him the "history" of this or that peak and sights along the way. He asked about Texas. I told him about how America has different accents, and in Houston there is an accent different than mine. I told him about "cowboy hats" and such. I told him about temples there, and that, yes, there is a notable Indian population. He then, surprisingly, spoke of the upcoming election in India. He likes Modi. He said he wants to come back to SF Bay Area again.
We stopped at an India grocery (per suggestion of ratikala), actually, this is larger than just a grocery, more like a super market and with other Indian stores next to it. He was very impressed, noticably so, actually to me it isn't SO impressive but he was - we picked up some items. I didn't know, but he picked up some samosas to share with me later when we got back.
The next day, my family and I were to spend the day together, and yes we did all get to meet together but as I said the Monterey trip was called off. When I dropped him off at his hotel, he insisted he invite me in where then he surprised me with the samosas. Not sure how he knew I was a big fan of samosas!
That was what was odd about everything in one way. He gave special attention to Hanuman, but yet I never told him of my devotion to Hanuman, and the same to Ganesh he gave special devotion. Probably coincidence. As for samosas, who doesn't like? But oddly, I like samosas more so than most.
So after the samosas, I was off heading home and actually I had to connect into work and do a couple of tasks and email. Despite the next day being a great disappointment later due to the change in events, it was fun to have him meet my family and he was so nice to my daughter and especially of course my wife as they spoke Hindi 1000 miles an hour.
The "boss" ended up in a more expensive hotel. I guess that's how it goes. Soon both would be on a plane to Houston Texas. I have been to Houston so many times. He was fascinated to hear my stories of the hurricane, the flooding. I made clear that Texas isn't the same as California.
I never bought the Jain friend gift. I looked for a watch, but could not find one that was "good enough". But I already got the inside scoop - he will be back in these parts of the woods for a few more adventures so there is still time for that. He wants to go to Lake Tahoe. He is a champ, and the world belongs to him as far as it will take him or he is willing. He is surely a Meru. Since I already know he will be back, the story doesn't end. At least not for me.
One final note, he called us (me and my wife) just before boarding the plane to Houston to thank us.
But I think I have said enough as far as this particular thread, and he will be back soon no doubt. He can take on the world, no question about that. When he returns I might add a few updates later.
What a world traveller this guy is turning out to be!
Om Namah Sivaya
We often think it is a one way thing, but it definitely goes both ways. I've picked up SL refugees at our airport, and it took them a long few hors just getting used to not seeing soldiers with guns.
