Reflections on a Holiday week

[krish44]

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I decided to go on religious tourism [where else ? Tamilnadu Kumbakonam] in the long holiday week .

In Uppiliappan koil , Had a darshan after being blocked by a thirai by the priests for over an hour.These do not believe doing anything efficiently. Mornings

temple was deserted. I was told that tourist buses come only after 8.30 am. So commercial motive to start late.

As usual separate entries for free, 10rs,20 rs darshan. No takers for paid darshan.

since no salt in prasadam, except the most devout, no one buys laddus or other sweet items.Make do with theertham, kumkum.

God flanked by two Goddesses.

Rahu shtalam nearby , similar blockade with thirai for one hour and opened at 9 am

Then could manage to see Rahu in glory flanked by Nagavalli and Naga kanni.{ why all Gods are flanked by two Goddesses?}

Thirunallaru sani was a better experience.Lighting of multiple oil Diyas there by devotees is a different experience. Since the temple falls in karaikal , better

maintained. public conveniences like toilets kept a bit away from temple, better footwear management.Roads once leaving TN border are excellent,wide and

well maintained.

Only checks on TN border for liquor,drugs , smuggled goods..

I ended up at triplicane parthasarathy temple on purattasi sani. Even with 100rs Queue , Got pushed around for a darshan..With brilliant minds in tamilnadu,

it is a pity that we are unable to schedule and manage devotees in large numbers.Nothing prevents in giving tickets with time stamp for entry to end waiting

in queues.

There is a nice yoga narasimhar temple in velachery managed by two ex govt employees .In their enthusiasm to serve everyone, they went for over kill

sharing their life stories in return for a big donation from my wife.The person in charge of front and back gates gates ended up locking us in as they were

prompt in observing closure timings.Got out of temple with difficulty after banging door to let us out.

I suppose by going to these temples, I have done my duty as a true vaishnavite . ....

Some were thengalai temples. So true to my subsect . What more?

 

[renuka]

Next Eid Ul Adha go to Mecca!

Crowd is unbelievable!LOL

 

[krish44]

In istanbul,there is sultan ahmed mosque , otherwise called blue mosque with domes minarets at night glowing in blue. Hand painted tiles adorn the inner walls.

Non muslims are allowed free entry.It is one of the wonderful places for a visit.It shows the glory of the ottomon empire past.Recently the pope went there to pray in a

conciliatary gesture to muslims.

 

[krish44]

Returning to the subject of religious tourism of vaishnavite temples,there is organised industry and business built around it.

There are hotels for stay for catering to the brahmin community, food [satvik, madi food whatever it might mean], taxi services , marriage hall with rooms,priests to

cater to temple marriage[ some claim prarthanai for temple marriage , others think it is good economics].

More interesting , There are temple auctions of sarees and dhoties donated to God by devotees.

I spent a couple of hours watching this event .The width of silk sarees and dhoties match God statues [who is tall]. Sarees are of nine yards> Most are brand new

and wrapped around Gods murthy. for couple of days

Thousands got collected thru these auctions.

I am told many of these items get recycled into market.

Then there is another group of devotees who collect everyday there for midday meal given free....

When you see all these ,who goes to temple genuinely only to pray?