The temple

From its humble beginnings, the temple near our house has grown by leaps and bounds and has emerged as the hub of our lives. It has become t...

From its humble beginnings, the temple near our house has grown by leaps and bounds and has emerged as the hub of our lives. It has become the epicentre of cultural activity in our block. The temple bells start tolling at 5 am when morning aarti is done by the head priest in the presence of twenty regulars. Those attending the morning aarti in turn bring prasad. A group of elderly men sit in the park and sing hymns, chant shlokas, clap in unison and indulge in full-throated laughter before moving towards the temple for their morning darshan. The morning walkers on a fitness regime do not enter the temple, their feet being shod. However, they bow their heads and fold their hands from outside. Morning also sees a girl with her head covered and bare feet even in winters sweeping the complete temple premises.

In the evening, a ladies8217; kirtan is followed by sermons by a scholarly pundit. The temple is also a means of livelihood for a small boy who sells marigold garlands, loose flowers and green leaves that are in much demand. Monday has droves of people coming to pour milk on the Shivling. People sit around the Shivling and recite the Shiv Katha. Tuesday is when people gravitate to offer prasad to Lord Hanuman. Thursday has girls and women clad in yellow, honouring the banana tree by offering turmeric and gram dal. Saturday sees devotees lighting a diya in front of the peepal tree. All festivals are occasions when the temple is lit up and the idols bedecked.

Navratre, celebrated twice a year, is the nine day long celebration beginning with havans in the morning sponsored by different residents of the block and jagratas organised when people keep all-night vigils and sing devotional songs in praise of the Mother Goddess. The Navratre in the month of Chaitra terminate in Ram Navami when an aarti of Lord Rama is performed at 12 noon followed by bhog. Every one gathers in the temple for community lunch or bhandara. The Navratre in the month of Ashwin end with Dussehra on the tenth day. Three big effigies of Ravana, Kumbhkarana and Meghnath are set afire in the open ground of the park symbolising the fiery end of evil.

Everyone throngs the temple for Janmashtami tableaux and Diwali lights. The temple is also engaged in philanthropic work: a small homeopathic dispensary with a qualified doctor who dispenses free medicine to the needy; an acupuncturist for people with joint problems; a Wednesday service for paying water bills.

With the increasing materialism and stress levels of our lives, the temple has quietly become a source again of healing for mind and body.