Who I pray to or don't, is my right. My free will. But while writing this I realised it was steered by something more than just free will. It is food. So, thank you God at least for the food!
My childhood experiences of temple runs were mostly us jostling through overcrowded and noisy spaces for hours to be granted a 2 second glimpse of the idol. I just didn't get it. One of the first grown up things I did in life was to say - no religion, no worship.
so true. During the Tirupati visit there were 2 things I distinctly remembered—1) all the ladoo making because while in that huge serpentine queue we spent a fair amount of time around the ladoo making hall 2)that funnel shaped piggy bank. Before I could say G of god, we turned around. No idea what he looks like...
There is a wealth of sad irony in your line 'religion...robs one of kindness'. I'm so glad you wrote this. We need more pieces like this one. It helps to know there are perspectives other than the dominant narrative. :)
Thanks a lot for the shout-out! Really appreciate it.
There is a reason we are friends. Each time I would go to the Jagannath temple in Puri, the bhog was the attraction. Haven't had tastier dal anywhere else. In general, I love the bhog that comes out in temples. Durga Pujo as well, the pandal bhog and the dhak! Bliss!
My childhood experiences of temple runs were mostly us jostling through overcrowded and noisy spaces for hours to be granted a 2 second glimpse of the idol. I just didn't get it. One of the first grown up things I did in life was to say - no religion, no worship.
so true. During the Tirupati visit there were 2 things I distinctly remembered—1) all the ladoo making because while in that huge serpentine queue we spent a fair amount of time around the ladoo making hall 2)that funnel shaped piggy bank. Before I could say G of god, we turned around. No idea what he looks like...
There is a wealth of sad irony in your line 'religion...robs one of kindness'. I'm so glad you wrote this. We need more pieces like this one. It helps to know there are perspectives other than the dominant narrative. :)
Thanks a lot for the shout-out! Really appreciate it.
This is a courageous piece, Savvy! More power to you <3
There is a reason we are friends. Each time I would go to the Jagannath temple in Puri, the bhog was the attraction. Haven't had tastier dal anywhere else. In general, I love the bhog that comes out in temples. Durga Pujo as well, the pandal bhog and the dhak! Bliss!
I am yet to wrap my head around the noise and the madness we witnessed and you have described over here.
Loved it
Superb