Hindu Temple

Note: I suggest reading Shiva Temple before reading this entry. The next place we went to was a very old and famous Hindu Temple. The site which is located on the mainland - the most southern point without going over to the island, has been considered sacred for over 3000 years and the temple is about 1000 years old, and still used as it was the day it was built. The best way to describe it is think either Mayan or Egyptian temples. The entire building is made out of stone with carvings in the wall of the ancient sanskrit language but written in the Indian Alphabet which made it that much more interesting. Knowing that the locals now can't read it any better than we can, but scholars know exactly what it says. All the Pillars, and walls are carved with different symbols, monkeys and elephants are used often, as is statues of the different gods. This is the temple where I actually had to check my camera in, so there are no pictures what so ever of this event. Of course the shoes go off even before you get to the entrance. Once we got to the entrance (okay visual here. We are the ONLY two white men that can be seen for miles!) We were told by one of the brahmin priests that the wait (people in line to get into the temple) was over an hour long. I was so excited about being there that I really didn't care how long the wait was. Of course he had something up his sleeve and said to us for 100 Rupees he would personally guide us to the inner sanctum of the temple. (100 Rupees = about $2.50) Of course we said yes. So shoes off, camera check, and men are required to remove their shirts, we were ready to enter the temple. He basically took us up the way out all the way in to the inner temple where the worshipping was talking place.
As we entered the inner sanctum there was a stillness in the room, and it was very quite. The room itself was not very large, maybe about 20 X 20 feet. It was very warm in the room because of all the lamps that were lit for both light and specific meaning. The lanterns were on columns which were either of brass or something looking similar to gold. There were four columns with about four lanterns on each. In the middle of this four columns was a space of about 10 square feet that was left open, marble floor only. The line of people entered the room looking at this area and straight ahead on the other side was a small chamber with a Hindu god located on the inside of the chamber. At this point in time we got in line to move around to view into the chamber. Inside the chamber was more lanterns and a god at the back of the chamber. The god was Ayappa. This from google: Sri Ayappa is considered the third son of Lord Shiva, and the brethren of Ganesha and Murugan or Kartikeya. The deity is steeped in legend and is unique to Hinduism, particularly to Kerala. (Kerala is the state we are in) When we got to the front of the chamber there is a man sitting there with a tray of talik, a red powder which you place on your forehead between your eye brows or the third eye center, which allows you to see god. Unlike in the western world where we always think of symbols of god weather it be the cross, or a statue, or a picture, they are just that; symbols. Here in India, when inside this temple the statue of Ayappa is not a statue, but the god himself. They are seeing and bowing down to the God with no thought that this is just of symbol of him.
Once we were finished with the inner sanctum we then moved back out and walked around inside the temple for at least another half hour and Daren was pointing different things out to me. The large columns, the carvings on the walls, some of the statues, the designs in the floor, etc. Remember, think very old stone temple here - just amazing! At one point in the temple (of course for a small fee) you can lite a small oil lamp for a wish or blessing you would like. This is similar to the Catholics having candles at alters in the larger cathedrals. We did that as our final view of the temple before we left.
What am amazing place. People flock here 24/7 to pray to Ayappa, and will wait in line for hours, because they feel that it is god himself there listening to them.
Once outside the temple we walked over to this other priest who was covered in body markings - made from ash or some other powder and was watching over a shrine in the courtyard. Daren asked about the body art and then wanted to be painted as well. The priest said he couldn't do it, Daren had to by himself, but that he would show him how. It was very specific as to the order and how you did it. That is the picture - the only one of the area that is posted. I chose to watch the ordeal which was comical because Daren didn't listen very well and the priest would tell him very loudly not to do it that way, do it this way, then I would laugh and the priest would say don't laugh! Of course I would laugh harder!!!
I truly appreciated meeting the Saint Amma, and getting a hug from her, but being in this temple was by far one of the most amazing experiences of my life. The feeling you had when inside the temple, the feelings of the people all around you, and knowing that this has been going on for 1000's of years was simply amazing!

I forgot to mention something about the island. Under neath the large temple was a meditation room which the people were allowed to go into if they choose to meditate. The room was very dark, no light except for a back lit large symbol of OM. There were speakers and a very soft chant was playing all the time. The floor was made of marble so not comfortable, but we went in for about 10 min and meditated. Once again an amazing place only because this is exactly what the room was made for and its all that happens in the room. (Body Pump doesn't follow!)

To end the story of this little day trip - what a trip for one day! If you recall the entry about the taxi, and the roads and what we had to share the roads with - well I thought the ox and cart where amazing. I have several up on that one now. On our way we shared the road with cows. Now, keep in mind that cows are considered sacred here in India, so if a cow decides it wants to lay down in the middle of the road to sleep, then we find a detour because thats where the cow wants to lay. Just hope that a taxi driver never needs to make the decision between hitting you or a cow because the cow will ALWAYS win. However, on the way back, passing through a small village (it was dark by this time so no pictures) we needed to make way for an elephant! It was a pet, and seeing that it was much bigger than anything else on the road it had the right of way.....which we gave it! The funny thing about this however, is that Indian's don't think anything of this. It would be like us moving over for a fire truck or something. So not really sure what to think of the next trip we take that will involve a taxi!