Temple Diaries ( Part - 1)

On a warm - breeze night we started our train journey. It has been almost a decade since we sat on the train and R's first train journey. My son had just seen the moving train when we used to come across a railway track crossing, it was a mixed feeling for him. He is an extremely fastidious kid where cleanliness and hygiene come first, and we as parents want him to experience this new environment. We want him to be accustomed and be habituated. Since our summer vacation was jam-packed with renovating our home, we planned for a Dussehra vacation where I could take along my parents too, It has been quite a while since they traveled. In the urge to complete at least one Jyotirling a year, we planned for the nearest one. We booked our train tickets well in advance, due to the Navratri rush. The places that are visited largely, and my favorite Madurai, and Rameshwaram. I visited Madurai in 2006 when I was working with GE and this place is very close to my heart. We have Meenakshi Amma idol in our house pooja room which I worship morning and evening religiously. 

Yes, there comes the day of our journey - 1st day of Navratri. We had a night train journey to Madurai. We all reached Majestic Railway station in Bengaluru and everything was looking so new to me. I don't even remember when I last visited this railway station. There were large numbers of crowds, coolie, and people running around to catch their train pushing each other. Old elderly people, and small kids sleeping on the platform. People resting in the waiting lounge to catch their next train. I was happy to see all this where I was reliving my childhood memories when I had traveled once or twice to my maternal grandma's house in our Dusshera vacation. R was in mixed feelings seeing all this and was apprehensive and asked me mumma, I hope inside the train will be neat and clean as we need to travel overnight sleeping. His dad took him on a small tour while were waiting for our train, and explained to R what is a platform, where we can check our train number and how to locate it, etc. Somehow R was making himself adjust to this entirely new environment.

One can learn life lessons on these railway platforms. For me railway stations have always been a fun factor. As a kid, I used to enjoy train journeys. Way back 80's kids especially girls have a great fascination for railway stations, after watching the very famous Bollywood blockbuster movie DDLJ. One of my favorites(haha) What do these cross tracks remind us? I feel " life is always on the move". It is a place of hello's and goodbyes", " arrivals and departures". For me it is a crossroads of dreams and aspirations". And we as parents wanted R to see and experience the hard facts and reality of life. Which is usually not seen in an Airport, which looks so sophisticated, neat, and set.  After a wait there you go, our train just reached the platform and we all boarded the train and sat in our reserved seats. It was a 2-tier AC section, where one can easily have a relaxed night's journey sleeping peacefully. R was jumping for joy seeing the double bunk bed. I and R got settled in the upper berth facing each other. Slowly he was opening up and getting used to this new environment. Two of our seats were a bit far from the rest of our seats, where Mom and Sis got settled saying women crowd more on the other side. 

It was half past 10 in the night, and R and I were not ready to sleep, with the excitement of traveling by train. R said mumma train travels are better than air travel, and he started giving me reasons, how it is better than other. I was happy to see his understanding of things and that too early. After a few minutes, we both understood that we were troubling other co-passengers too with our loud chat and giggles, and finally, we all fell asleep. The next day morning at 7:45 am we were supposed to arrive at Madurai station. I being a morning bird, got up at my usual time at 4:30 am, and got fresh, and slowly went to wake up my sis and mom, to my surprise, sis was not seen on the upper berth, the lower berth curtain was covered. In anguish I slowly opened the curtain peek-a-boo, both the ladies sitting facing each other and not slept the whole night. Omg, I was shocked to see this. Of course, how can I forget, my mom never sleeps on any of the night journeys. I have rarely seen her fall asleep. Sis doesn't like train journeys as she is not comfortable with that close curtain idea which gives you a claustrophobic feeling. I am the complete opposite of her, where I can sleep in crowded markets to bus stations, once I go to sleep, see you the next day morning (haha)

The next morning one by one all got fresh and started watching the beautiful view from the window. R was not ready to come down, enjoying and cuddling with his dad on the bunk bed on the train. Finally, we reached Madurai @ 7:50 a.m., and our driver was waiting outside the station to receive us who would be our chauffeur for next week. We all reached our hotel got fresh had a yummy breakfast which had a wide spread of delicious - Idli, dosa, vada, and all of South's famous delicacies. R being a food lover who loves to explore different cuisines, was very happy, he simply loves south food, and his favorite sambar. So I was relaxed in this entire trip, with R's eatery options. After our breakfast, we all started towards Meenakshi Amma temple. This was my second visit to this temple after 2006. Visiting her adobe during Navratri is a goddess call. It is located in the heart of the city.

Keeping the Navratri crowd in mind we all took special darshan tickets and started walking towards the temple. Meenakshi Amman temple is one of the oldest and most important temples of India renowned for its astonishing Dravidian style of architecture. The temple complex is literally like a city. One of the largest of its kind. This temple also called Meenakshi - Sundareshwara temple, has a great historical and mythological significance. One of the oldest and most significant temples in India. It dates back more than 2500 years. This temple was built by the Pandya king, Kulasekara Pandya, in the 6th century CE. One legend describes a childless king Malayadwaja Pandya and his queen Kachanamalai performed the yajna for a son, they got a daughter who was already 3 years old from the yajna fire, and later inherited the kingdom, conquered the earth, and requested Shiva to marry her. Shiva told her to return to Madurai and wait for him. He arrived eight days later in the resplendent form of Sundareshwara, the lord married Meenakshi Amma in a magnificent ceremony called Thirukalyanam. Meena amma is the tutelary deity of Madurai and is considered the avatar of the goddess Parvathi. Thus Meenakshi Amma continues to rule Madurai. This temple is dedicated to the goddess Meenakshi, a form of Shakti, and her consort, Sundareshwara a form of Shiva. The present campus structure was rebuilt after the 14th century CE, which was later, repaired, renovated, and reconstructed in the 17th century by Tirumala Nayaka.  

The shrine of Meenakshi Amman temple has four main entrances, one on each side of the temple complex. These entrances are known as the North Tower entrance, South Tower entrance, West Tower entrance, and East Tower entrance. Entry from the South Tower entrance takes you to goddess Meenakshi Amman's main scantrum. The temple has 14 gopurams, the tallest of which is a southern tower that rises to over 170ft, which is colorful The whole complex/building resembles a mandala, a geometric design based on the principles of symmetry and locality. Inside the temple complex, one can witness several shrines. R and I were just awestruck with the art and architecture of this gigantic temple. While standing in line for darshan, one can witness huge beautiful colorful kolam or Rangoli inside the temple, in all nooks - corners, and pillars. It was a feast for our eyes to witness the grandeur of this temple.

Since we had taken tickets for special darshan, we were able to get the entry to the main scantrum in almost 25 minutes. Inside the main temple, it was beautifully decked with a variety of flowers, being the 2nd day of Navratri. People chanted devi hymens, and the whole atmosphere was so blissful, and positive just like heaven on earth. Meenakshi - means, women with beautiful eyes or Fish eyes. As a fish never closes its eye even while sleeping in water, It is believed Meenakshi Amma never closes her eyes and watch all her bhakt or devotees. So it is told when you see Meena Amma look into her eyes and feel her presence. There came the bhakt and bhagwan moment when I took Meenakshi Amman darshan, I was tear-eyed, with goosebumps and gratitude in my heart. Took her blessings and thanked Amma for this wonderful opportunity to get her darshan at this auspicious time. My wish to take my parents for her darshan was fulfilled. We later started towards Sunadareshwara temple inside the temple complex took the darshan of Lord Shivji and started walking towards the exit looking all around those beautiful 1000 colourful pillars with minute intricate architecture. And yes, my favorite - the Dussehra dolls, Golu or Kolu which was beautifully decorated inside the temple. It is a traditional festival celebrated mainly during Navaratri. It is an important cultural event that brings people together and showcases creativity and artistry through doll displays. With a heart full of devotion, gratitude, and blessings we reached our hotel.

Our Upanishads explained so beautifully, why it is necessary or good to visit the important shrine. During such a visit, one starts trusting in all good as well as unpleasant things, which surprisingly reinstated. You suddenly feel buoyant at heart to think there's an invisible power, governing the universe and that trust that everything is taken care of. God cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is a friend of silence. Nature is the best example - trees, flowers, grass - grow in silence. And all our questions are answered in silence.

To be continued.....