January 17,2010
We’ve been back from our Indonesian jaunt for 2 weekends and seized the moment before the heat returns to travel to Tirumala the world’s largest pilgrimage site. This temple sits on top of the 14 km. hill which devotees travel by foot. We traveled by car up the switch back road to the town surrounding the temple. The town was swarming with bald headed people. The chief god there is Venkateswara, an avatar of Vishnu, who grants any request made before him. Many people donate their hair to deities, and hence many freshly shaved people.
We wound our way up the forested hill with windows open and fresh air! When we reached the town at the top it had a serenity atmosphere about it even though 100,000 people had hopefully come to pay tribute. We left the car and our shoes, and cell phones and we realized the lines were snaking a very long way—in the 300r line (vs the 50 rupee line) the wait looked to be about 5 hours long to enter the temple and be in a total crush of people as we went through the dark smoky insides. Even though I need a new job next year, we took our chances and decided against waiting in line—alas missing the guarantee of our wish granted—hair intact, we wandered about the grounds just watching the people. Wishing to take pictures, all I had to do was get the camera out—and endless people asked for their photos taken.
It was blessedly cool, and although people were crowded and waiting long hours, everyone was peaceful and calm. It did have a remarkable atmosphere. The other thing very different from other temple visits, was there were no neon lights (although lots of Christmas lights for the evening) and no blaring baliwood music from 10 foot speakers. There were public toilets that were clean! Everything was clean and calm. A sort of Indian miracle in itself.
Tim bought a charm to guide him through his dental work, and I bought one for a good job. Interesting they are very similar to the Mexican milagra for the same purpose.
The temple’s history dates back 2000 years. India has many more beautiful and elegant or decorated temples—this seems to be the most beloved.
We’ve been back from our Indonesian jaunt for 2 weekends and seized the moment before the heat returns to travel to Tirumala the world’s largest pilgrimage site. This temple sits on top of the 14 km. hill which devotees travel by foot. We traveled by car up the switch back road to the town surrounding the temple. The town was swarming with bald headed people. The chief god there is Venkateswara, an avatar of Vishnu, who grants any request made before him. Many people donate their hair to deities, and hence many freshly shaved people.
We wound our way up the forested hill with windows open and fresh air! When we reached the town at the top it had a serenity atmosphere about it even though 100,000 people had hopefully come to pay tribute. We left the car and our shoes, and cell phones and we realized the lines were snaking a very long way—in the 300r line (vs the 50 rupee line) the wait looked to be about 5 hours long to enter the temple and be in a total crush of people as we went through the dark smoky insides. Even though I need a new job next year, we took our chances and decided against waiting in line—alas missing the guarantee of our wish granted—hair intact, we wandered about the grounds just watching the people. Wishing to take pictures, all I had to do was get the camera out—and endless people asked for their photos taken.
It was blessedly cool, and although people were crowded and waiting long hours, everyone was peaceful and calm. It did have a remarkable atmosphere. The other thing very different from other temple visits, was there were no neon lights (although lots of Christmas lights for the evening) and no blaring baliwood music from 10 foot speakers. There were public toilets that were clean! Everything was clean and calm. A sort of Indian miracle in itself.
Tim bought a charm to guide him through his dental work, and I bought one for a good job. Interesting they are very similar to the Mexican milagra for the same purpose.
The temple’s history dates back 2000 years. India has many more beautiful and elegant or decorated temples—this seems to be the most beloved.
1 comment:
i think i went here with you and dad ...? i remember all the people In Red. so beautiful. miss your blog posts, mom. and you, as well. xoxoxo, s.
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