Had the amazing opportunity to visit the Tulsi Manas Temple which is dedicated to Lord Ram. The temple is built of white marble and all the walls inside are covered in verses of Ramcharitammanasa, the Hindi version of the Ramayana. At the back of the temple upstairs there is an area with figurines depicting the lives of different gods and goddesses. Before I left the temple I went downstairs to take the blessing of holy water.
After walking out of this temple, nearby there was another temple that was lit up with beautiful lights and had the soothing song of prayers coming from inside. I walked over to the entrance to see men sitting with flowers they were handing to people who were walking inside. The temple was for Durga, the mother goddess. One waved me over and I took the chance to embrace the culture even more. So I walked over, removed my shoes, let my hands be rinsed with water, grabbed a flower offering and went inside. Walking in I made sure to carefully observe how the women were behaving so I could follow their lead and not accidentally be offensive.
Once inside I was in line to go up to the main altar. At the altar I placed down the flowers as I was given the red smudge of powder on my forehead. Then one of the men handed me a small hibiscus flower along with a small dessert. I ate the dessert and on the other side of the altar there was a man and boy handing people small bowls of more sweets, so I took one of those as well. I followed the women to the other smaller altars to touch the flowers, run my fingers over the smoke of incense or the small flames from candles. I slowly walked through the temple and felt moved at the beauty of the tradition. There was one man who stood out to me. I noticed him kneeling in prayer, his eyes closed and tears going down his cheeks. He sat there for a few minutes, touched his forehead to the ground and then stood up. Once standing, his eyes opened and I saw him release a deep breath. As he walked away he looked at peace. Whatever his worries or what brought him to tears, it was as if he left it behind at the altar or trusted that things will work out the way they are meant to be. Not all people are born with the gift of faith or are able to obtain it during their lifetime, it so it was nice to see that certainty in his face. I was honored to be able to participate in this ceremony. It was a beautiful, moving experience.
Once inside I was in line to go up to the main altar. At the altar I placed down the flowers as I was given the red smudge of powder on my forehead. Then one of the men handed me a small hibiscus flower along with a small dessert. I ate the dessert and on the other side of the altar there was a man and boy handing people small bowls of more sweets, so I took one of those as well. I followed the women to the other smaller altars to touch the flowers, run my fingers over the smoke of incense or the small flames from candles. I slowly walked through the temple and felt moved at the beauty of the tradition. There was one man who stood out to me. I noticed him kneeling in prayer, his eyes closed and tears going down his cheeks. He sat there for a few minutes, touched his forehead to the ground and then stood up. Once standing, his eyes opened and I saw him release a deep breath. As he walked away he looked at peace. Whatever his worries or what brought him to tears, it was as if he left it behind at the altar or trusted that things will work out the way they are meant to be. Not all people are born with the gift of faith or are able to obtain it during their lifetime, it so it was nice to see that certainty in his face. I was honored to be able to participate in this ceremony. It was a beautiful, moving experience.
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