Temple Days
"Wake up and bathe. It is already dawn,"
My early-waking Ma would softly say.
Obeying her command, I'd quickly don
A saffron flower-printed bright array,
And knowing it would be a humid day,
I'd take a battery-powered fan, put on
My chappals and by six, we'd drive away
From home towards the mandir, whereupon
Stood Mother Kali. Standing in a queue,
We'd watch the thronging devotees in view.
From local vendors lined along the street,
My Baba would purchase a puja plate,
A wreath of red sorrels, a covering sheet,
And agarwoods to scent the temple's gate.
He'd hurry to the point where we would wait,
Pass on the things to Ma, then rush to meet
Our panda and pay him a handsome rate
To get a saree for the Devi's feet.
With these, we would be in the lengthy line
And keenly wish to worship the Divine.
With growing daylight's time, the sun would be
More rageful to the Bhaktas everywhere
Outside the shaded pillared halls. Though tea
Was served to them, it wouldn't suffice as their
Thirst was for God alone. A cooling air
Would often bring us much tranquillity,
Or dancing langurs on a branch would spare
Us from fatigue, and this hilarity
Helped entertain our restless hearts, and soon
The morning hours would turn into noon.
Advancing slow, at last, we'd gather by
The front door leading to the Devi's throne—
A downward-sloping cavern where would lie
Her bed of ancient rocks (and no lights shone).
Each man would be allowed to go alone
Inside to pray in deep extolling sigh,
And touch the silent water that was shown
To him—it's said to be the Devi's eye.
With mantras for us three (each for a name),
Like others, we would worship all the same.
Once done, with well-contented hearts, we'd go
Towards the place's rear walls, where the ground
Had idols of great Devas, touch them, show
Our reverence through lamps, and walk around
The temple three full times: rites for a sound
And pious life. The pediments would glow
With their gold-carved designs. Peace would be found
In each spot as the evening entered slow.
We'd take our panda's blessing and, at last,
Sit in a puri shop to break our fast.
About the poem:
This poem talks about a particular day in the past when my parents and I used to visit a temple to worship Goddess Kali (a powerful goddess in Hinduism). This poem details the rituals and the experiences that I gathered from the events.
Few points to be noted:
1. A God or Goddess is offered things like flowers, cloths, sweets etc. In case of a Goddess, a saree (the traditional dress for women in India) is offered.
2. Fasting is observed until all the worship rituals are complete.
Word Meanings:
Ma: Mother
Chappals: Slippers
Mandir: a Temple
Kali: a Goddess in Hinduism.
Baba: Father
Panda: a priest
Puja plate: a plate in which offerings such as lamps, cloths, sweets etc are placed.
Bhakta: a devotee
Langur: a type of Monkey
Devi: a Goddess
Deva: a God
Puri: a type of flatbread