Temple Visits from "Outsiders"

[carmenara]

Ha, looks like I would be well at home there. I am known to like animals, at least to the inner circle who knows everything about me.

It reminds me of a spiritual experience I had when very young. I disliked the disrespectful way my classmates were treating a big lizard they caught during lunch and plucked up the courage to demand they give it to me. Poor thing was literally tortured to death then stuffed into a bottle too small for its majestic length.

I brought it home and cried for like an hour over it saying whatever prayers to anyone or anything who would listen. Half knowing it is long dead and cold by the time I reached home.

Suddenly he sprang to life again. Set him free and he was seen again strong and happy a year later.

Today I received my first negative comment about how insulting it is I am sharing these online that religion is in the heart and not to be flouted and how sages have never publicized their powers.

How rude. He doesn't know me yet degrades me in public? I refuse to see these as powers they are not. They are a reminder for me to be humble and help out of the goodness of my heart.

My years long path to discovering Hinduism is filled with obstacles, from people calling me weird to those Oriental peers of mine speaking out very rudely against my Indian clothes... God forgive them because if I am triggered I will reply in kind in a manner that is totally not myself in an accent that isn't mine.

Its probably a wrong thing to use religion as a pretense to stand up in protest but I can't think of any better tribute to those I've served and stood up for.

 

[SomeRandom]

Ha, looks like I would be well at home there. I am known to like animals, at least to the inner circle who knows everything about me.

It reminds me of a spiritual experience I had when very young. I disliked the disrespectful way my classmates were treating a big lizard they caught during lunch and plucked up the courage to demand they give it to me. Poor thing was literally tortured to death then stuffed into a bottle too small for its majestic length.

I brought it home and cried for like an hour over it saying whatever prayers to anyone or anything who would listen. Half knowing it is long dead and cold by the time I reached home.

Suddenly he sprang to life again. Set him free and he was seen again strong and happy a year later.

Today I received my first negative comment about how insulting it is I am sharing these online that religion is in the heart and not to be flouted and how sages have never publicized their powers.

How rude. He doesn't know me yet degrades me in public? I refuse to see these as powers they are not. They are a reminder for me to be humble and help out of the goodness of my heart.

My years long path to discovering Hinduism is filled with obstacles, from people calling me weird to those Oriental peers of mine speaking out very rudely against my Indian clothes... God forgive them because if I am triggered I will reply in kind in a manner that is totally not myself in an accent that isn't mine.

Its probably a wrong thing to use religion as a pretense to stand up in protest but I can't think of any better tribute to those I've served and stood up for.

Haters gonna hate. Years of retail experience has taught me how to let practically anything slide off my back. (Well, most of the time. I can get heated in a debate very easily lol.) It's usually not even worth it.
Of course it certainly helps that I can have a gathering with the girls from work and rant and rave about the awfulness of the public. Over a cup of coffee (or something stronger )

 

[carmenara]

I visited a big Durga temple for a special New Year Puja this morning. It was bad weather for 3 days in a row and I had little motivation to leave the house; I even used UberEats for meals.

But on the 3rd day I had the urge to rouse early and got my favorite temple garments ready in record time, went out in near pitch darkness to the point if I were not wearing something very long and very golden the bus driver would never have saw me. It was still raining where I lived but a quick check on the national weather radar website showed some hope - it was raining all over the country except for the region the temple was!

The temple area was totally deserted and nothing in the neighborhood of Sri Durga temple was open except for a Chinese coffee shop and two flower shops. The weather radar and a little guessimation of wind direction and speed proved spot on - the area was wet but it would clear when the main event started. I got strong coffee to start the day and stopped by the flower shops looking for a red garland.

The shop I picked looked very ornate and clean, all white marble and a matronly Indian lady tended the shop. I did the traditional greeting and she commented "oh very powerful lady" to which I quickly diverted to telling a small story of goddess Durga and that it is my first time visiting a large temple for puja.

I was surprised to feel how big and heavy the flower garland was and she gave me a few extra packets of smaller flowers.

On to Sri Durga temple at 8am sharp, it was still quiet there and I followed other devotees around, talked to the priest, learned to make offerings and they were very happy to welcome me. I am wearing a very huge red mark on my forehead that quite a number of non-Hindu passers-by stopped to look at or ask questions about. I did my own chanting or followed others around to watch and learn what they did in the next couple of hours.

A large crowd appeared for the main festivities of the day, there was a lot of chanting, a lot of offerings of milk, flowers, butter, fire and water, I followed the processions around and soon the whole morning went by leaving me feeling happy and since quite a number of devotees were quite fine with the presence of modern technology I took a selfie discreetly outside the temple to commemorate my first "big" temple solo visit, which my Indian lady friends liked a lot.

It is them after all who blessed me with their patience, little gifts and sharing of food and knowledge that brought me this far and it is for them I bring gifts, policy changes and protection from mismanagement in the workplace in turn.

Of course, to keep up the good image I will have a lot of studying, a lot more meeting people, temple visits - possibly going to various temples and observing various interpretations of Hinduism - but yes, it's great to have a spiritual home and protection against those who would mislead others.

I decided to take a walk through town after the great Puja and in Little India there was an elderly man who tried to do a little 'daylight robbery' seeing me in finery and just visited temple and all, tried to force me to accept his blessing and make a 'donation' to which I declined most politely saying I have given all I have to the temple, then I kept quiet, as he kept raving on and on demanding me, in public view to "put my money here" in an old and decrepit photo album that I felt had no religious significance at all just pictures of past travels.

I would have given him some money out of respect and his old age, but I gently reminded him I just came from Puja, and that seemed to somehow stop him cold right there and then.

On reflection this seemed quite a negative encounter to me because I had a thought in my head when he tried to get me to accept some 'blessed' stones and hold it in a certain way, and when he claimed to be some "holy man". That thought that appeared said "this has no spiritual value" and his behavior seemed very wrong so was his stopping dead cold when I mentioned where I was.

Later in a tandoori restaurant having a very late lunch I read what the mark on one's forehead means - there is some protection bestowed against evil.

Hope you like my little story of my first 'big' temple puja, and perhaps a little self reminder that new knowledge means new responsibility to be respectful when learning new religion and to protect others from harm as well - seeing in the near future I will be bringing friends and loved ones to the places I visit.

It felt like a good idea to tell people about my beliefs and the stories that got me to walk this path. I've had acceptance from people of all races and cultures including from very 'restrictive' ones like my Muslim girlfriend. She doesn't seem like she would object if I taught her a little newfound wisdom and customs

 

[Aupmanyav]

You don't need to entertain old people demanding money for stones. I would not do it. It happens lot in India.

 

[carmenara]

Good to know..

I might pluck up the courage to visit Delhi and surrounding areas in March. Against all odds I found a travel agency willing to book me a solo tour.

 

[ajay0]

Good to know..

I might pluck up the courage to visit Delhi and surrounding areas in March. Against all odds I found a travel agency willing to book me a solo tour.

Do research your travel agency to ensure it is an authorised one as fraud is prevalent in this sector. Since it is your first tour, it is better to go with friends and acquaintances or keep in touch at all times.

 

[carmenara]

Do research your travel agency to ensure it is an authorised one as fraud is prevalent in this sector. Since it is your first tour, it is better to go with friends and acquaintances or keep in touch at all times.

Everything checks out and the trip is booked and paid for. This particular agency seems rock solid and has good reviews from a large number of solo lady travellers.

I also checked out the few negative reviews they've gotten, both due to tourist expectations and due to service delivery issues; both scenarios the company's service recovery efforts are first class.

Just like performing Bollywood and traditional dance for the first time, all my recent cultural and spiritual experiences seem to involve being thrown into the deep end and having everything work out perfect.

I have faith I will enjoy the glory of Jaipur and Agra and the fun chaos of Delhi. Scheduling leeway permitting I'll insist to visit Durga temple on arrival to pay respects

I'll drop by sometime in April hopefully in some off topic travel related section to tell my tale

 

[Aupmanyav]

I might pluck up the courage to visit Delhi and surrounding areas in March. Against all odds I found a travel agency willing to book me a solo tour.

(Which is the travel agency? I hope it is an established one, and what arrangements have they proposed? Also, I suggest that you get the travel information from India Travel Forum | IndiaMike.com. It is a nice travel forum for India and I am a member there.) Disregard, since your travel is already booked.

I am in Delhi and you are welcome to check with me for any problem here. If you have time, share a meal with us.

 

[carmenara]

Sure appreciate the assistance. I've PMed you to avoid giving out too much details publicly on schedules and locations.

Anyway I made big changes to the touring schedule in Delhi; I'm visiting all the lesser traveled places that travel agencies don't seem to know about or advertise!

For Agra and Jaipur I'll stick to the usual and let them bring me around though. A little give and take

 

[Vinayaka]

Sure appreciate the assistance. I've PMed you to avoid giving out too much details publicly on schedules and locations.

Anyway I made big changes to the touring schedule in Delhi; I'm visiting all the lesser traveled places that travel agencies don't seem to know about or advertise!

For Agra and Jaipur I'll stick to the usual and let them bring me around though. A little give and take

Travel agents and tour companies have no idea how to deal with white Hindu pilgrims. (out of their paradigm) Take it from one who has been there.

 

[carmenara]

How did you know the first thing on arrival I will do is visit the big Durga temple and ISKON. I have not told anyone my secret plans

Tour agency is very flexible, and there's hundreds of reviews applauding the flexibility of this company. I've took advantage of that quite happily with the consent of the person planning it. It'll be fine, I won't end up as lamb biryani on someone's dinner table

The temple visits I'm doing won't need any guide and it can be just structured as free and easy. I'm not white and may be more desi than you think

 

[Aupmanyav]

Be careful. In India, it can happen. Approach police in case of any problem. But I am sure you can tke care of yourelf. Remember, you have a friend in Delhi.

 

[sayak83]

How did you know the first thing on arrival I will do is visit the big Durga temple and ISKON. I have not told anyone my secret plans

Tour agency is very flexible, and there's hundreds of reviews applauding the flexibility of this company. I've took advantage of that quite happily with the consent of the person planning it. It'll be fine, I won't end up as lamb biryani on someone's dinner table

The temple visits I'm doing won't need any guide and it can be just structured as free and easy. I'm not white and may be more desi than you think

Come to Kolkata once. Especially during durga puja/Navaratri period. No durga puja anywhere compares with Kolkata then.
The permanent 23 pally durga temple is also beautiful.
http://aliennomore.com/2017/12/30/23-pally-durga-temple-kolkata/

 

[carmenara]

Come to Kolkata once. Especially during durga puja/Navaratri period. No durga puja anywhere compares with Kolkata then.
The permanent 23 pally durga temple is also beautiful.
http://aliennomore.com/2017/12/30/23-pally-durga-temple-kolkata/

Oh my, thats the grandest Durga Mashishasura Mardini I've ever seen.