My first trip to Vaishnodevi was unimpressive. Climbing was hard, and it only served to highlight how badly out of shape I was, while my in-laws managed to cope so much better. Further, I hadn’t quite realized that the cave experience wouldn’t be the same as I had imagined, since the original cave was only opened at certain times a year, and that we only entered a newly created tunnel, one far easier to access, and hence more manageable with the crowds that thronged the mountain shrine. The resulting experience at the shrine, for barely a fraction of a second, hardly compared to what I had expected / imagined / heard about. So, for me, Vaishnodevi was like any other temple, nothing to write home about, something that was reflected (though not explicitly mentioned) in the blog post I wrote then.
The fifth day of navaratri dawned, along with the sudden realization that we were already halfway through the celebrations, and in five more days we would be back to the normal grind of day to day life. The realization spurred me along to call all those I had planned to invite home, and ask them to come home on Friday, make a few visits, and, in the evening, it led me to the Sringeri Mutt and the Ahobila Mutt in Chembur, where the celebrations are on in grand scale. At the former, I was unable to take photographs, but at Ahobila Mutt, they were only too happy to allow me to take pictures of the Utsava Moorthy - Lord Venkateswara and Padmavati on the Shesha Vahanam, and Mahalakshmi ready for her tour of the area. Here is a glimpse……
At the temple was an interesting decoration – Sri Seethala Devi on her vehicle, the donkey! Seethala Devi is considered a form of the goddess Mariamman, who is said to have a cooling effect and hence is the patron deity for fevers and the pox. I remember accompanying my mom to the local temple where there was an image of Seethala Devi, where we used to offer prayers and naivedhayam of Curd rice to the goddess, asking for protection from fevers, chicken pox, measles and such other diseases, but I don’t remember noticing the Devi’s vehicle. It is fascinating to think that an animal which is considered stupid and the butt of jokes should be revered in this way!
Another interesting thing to note is that the Devi holds in her hands, a broom and a dustpan – a clear indication, isn’t it, that all that’s needed for good health is hygiene???
At the temple was an interesting decoration – Sri Seethala Devi on her vehicle, the donkey! Seethala Devi is considered a form of the goddess Mariamman, who is said to have a cooling effect and hence is the patron deity for fevers and the pox. I remember accompanying my mom to the local temple where there was an image of Seethala Devi, where we used to offer prayers and naivedhayam of Curd rice to the goddess, asking for protection from fevers, chicken pox, measles and such other diseases, but I don’t remember noticing the Devi’s vehicle. It is fascinating to think that an animal which is considered stupid and the butt of jokes should be revered in this way!
Another interesting thing to note is that the Devi holds in her hands, a broom and a dustpan – a clear indication, isn’t it, that all that’s needed for good health is hygiene???
Am loving your Navratri posts...there are so many things about our rich culture that I had forgotten till I read your posts...waiting for the remaining 5 days...
ReplyDeleteSankara
http://sankaracs.blogspot.com
Sankara : Thanks so much! i am on my own journey of rediscovering, and its a pleasure to share my journey....
ReplyDeleteHi Deepa,
ReplyDeleteI am really looking forward to your posts these days. It truly gives me great vigour and enthusiasm. To share something with you - I remember that when we were young, my Mom used to tell us the significance of GOLU. She used to say that all the dolls and the items we put out on display are people and circumstances which we come across in our day to day lives. This is a time to remember all of them and thank the Almighty for the lovely life HE has given us. Now ain't that a beautiful explanation ?? :)