Pictures from Maha Shivaratri 2/27/14

[Jainarayan]

I know, a little late. It takes them a while to put pictures and videos on the website. I thought I would post these slide shows to give an idea of the enormity of the temple and the sanctums, and the community turnout. I'd be in a complete state of social anxiety, a quivering mass of protoplasm in a corner.

There are 4 more sanctums of that size... Sri Ayyappa, Sri Guruvayurappan (presiding deity), Sri Balaji, Sri Satyanarayana Swami, and numerous other side shrines and sanctums. Note how the two priests (and several more) can stand up in the inner sanctum, and the size of the Shiva lingam, and the Nandi murthi.

Maha Shivaratri 2014 slide show #1
Maha Shivaratri 2014 slide show #2

I hope you enjoy.

 

[Vinayaka]

I know, a little late. It takes them a while to put pictures and videos on the website. I thought I would post these slide shows to give an idea of the enormity of the temple and the sanctums, and the community turnout. I'd be in a complete state of social anxiety, a quivering mass of protoplasm in a corner.

There are 4 more sanctums of that size... Sri Ayyappa, Sri Guruvayurappan (presiding deity), Sri Balaji, Sri Satyanarayana Swami, and numerous other side shrines and sanctums. Note how the two priests (and several more) can stand up in the inner sanctum, and the size of the Shiva lingam, and the Nandi murthi.

Maha Shivaratri 2014 slide show #1
Maha Shivaratri 2014 slide show #2

I hope you enjoy.

Nice ... great example of a South Indian style temple, and what to expect.

 

[Jainarayan]

I knew you would know. Especially given that Sri Ayyappa, Sri Guruvayurappan, Sri Balaji, Sri Satyanarayana Swami are southern deities.

 

[Nyingjé Tso]

I want to stay there forever *ç*

 

[Vinayaka]

I knew you would know. Especially given that Sri Ayyappa, Sri Guruvayurappan, Sri Balaji, Sri Satyanarayana Swami are southern deities.

There are a lot of differences -
priest dress
devotee dress
separate shrines, versus one joint one
granite versus marble
color
proximity devotees can get to murthies

Still, this one being Smarta, and because of the attempts to be more accomodating to all, it does have a couple of very North style elements.

Have you ever been to a straight North style one. Jai?

 

[Poeticus]

I know, a little late. It takes them a while to put pictures and videos on the website. I thought I would post these slide shows to give an idea of the enormity of the temple and the sanctums, and the community turnout. I'd be in a complete state of social anxiety, a quivering mass of protoplasm in a corner.

There are 4 more sanctums of that size... Sri Ayyappa, Sri Guruvayurappan (presiding deity), Sri Balaji, Sri Satyanarayana Swami, and numerous other side shrines and sanctums. Note how the two priests (and several more) can stand up in the inner sanctum, and the size of the Shiva lingam, and the Nandi murthi.

Maha Shivaratri 2014 slide show #1
Maha Shivaratri 2014 slide show #2

I hope you enjoy.

No bhang?!​

Blasphemy!​

 

[Jainarayan]

There are a lot of differences -
priest dress
devotee dress
separate shrines, versus one joint one
granite versus marble
color
proximity devotees can get to murthies

Still, this one being Smarta, and because of the attempts to be more accomodating to all, it does have a couple of very North style elements.

Yes, the men wear their veshti wrapped around. I wear it Vrindavan style. I hope no one thinks I'm "uppity". I just like the folds and draping.

There is no marble, come to think of it. Even the floor tiles are granite.

And not to mention that I think most of the priests are southern. At least one speaks Telugu.

Have you ever been to a straight North style one. Jai?

No, I haven't. I have to ask my Gujarati co-worker the style of his family's temple. Maa Durga is the presiding deity.

 

[Fireside_Hindu]

Nice! Thanks for sharing! Beautiful temple.

This week I'll be visiting a different NJ temple on my way to visit family. I always get excited about visiting new temples.


:camp:

 

[Jainarayan]

No bhang?!​

Blasphemy!​

The NJ State Police would be there at lightning speed.

 

[Jainarayan]

Nice! Thanks for sharing! Beautiful temple.

This week I'll be visiting a different NJ temple on my way to visit family. I always get excited about visiting new temples.


:camp:

Where are you going if you don't mind my asking? The only real concentration of temples is in northern NJ, lots in Jersey City, a few smaller ones scattered around, but a good drive from me.

 

[Poeticus]

The NJ State Police would be there at lightning speed.

Sorry! I thought I was in India.

Wake up, MV! Wake up!​

:sorry1:​

 

[Vinayaka]

Nice! Thanks for sharing! Beautiful temple.

This week I'll be visiting a different NJ temple on my way to visit family. I always get excited about visiting new temples.


:camp:

Me too, as you know. Next week we're going to Vancouver. Right now the goal is a mini-yatra to include 10 temples. Looking forward to your report.

 

[Fireside_Hindu]

Where are you going if you don't mind my asking? The only real concentration of temples is in northern NJ, lots in Jersey City, a few smaller ones scattered around, but a good drive from me.

I'm headed here: Hindu Samaj Temple of Mahwah, New Jersey - Programs / Events

It's in Mahwah. Have you ever been?

:camp:

 

[Fireside_Hindu]

Me too, as you know. Next week we're going to Vancouver. Right now the goal is a mini-yatra to include 10 temples. Looking forward to your report.

And me yours! One day I would like to spend a summer doing just that - doing a pilgrimage to a dozen or so temples. I'll have to convince the husband to set me loose for a few months. Although he knows he's welcome to come.

I'll be visiting the NJ temple either Thursday or Friday. (I'm hoping for Friday morning since they have a Lakshmi Puja at that time. ) I'll let everyone know what I find.

:camp:

 

[Jainarayan]

No, never been there. I've only been to Mahwah once for a job interview many years ago. When I got there I prayed I didn't get the job... it's at least a 90 min. ride one way.

Edit: but I am checking the link.

 

[Vinayaka]

And me yours! One day I would like to spend a summer doing just that - doing a pilgrimage to a dozen or so temples. I'll have to convince the husband to set me loose for a few months. Although he knows he's welcome to come.

I'll be visiting the NJ temple either Thursday or Friday. (I'm hoping for Friday morning since they have a Lakshmi Puja at that time. ) I'll let everyone know what I find.

:camp:

I have this daydream of 108 temples in less than 108 days, and a travelogue/pilgrimage book from it. Maybe 108 in 50 days. Places like Toronto would be 3 or 4 a day, for a couple of weeks, then go to your area, and on southward, a couple more weeks, and it'd be close.

 

[Jainarayan]

I'll let everyone know what I find.

:camp:

Please do!

 

[StarryNightshade]

Wonderful pics, Jainarayan.

I would love to visit a temple like that.

 

[Vinayaka]

What's stopping you?

 

[StarryNightshade]

What's stopping you?

Me?

There are temples in my town, but none of that size or decor. The nearest ones, I believe, are 3 hours away in Atlanta. I don't have the money or time (full-time student and part-time worker) to visit them at the moment. However, I'm certainly planning on doing so soon.