Temples Temples Temples

I realized today amount of steps that I have taken since I arrived in
India is greater than the amount I have taken since I broke my foot
in January.
The last couple of days we have gone to some amazing Shiva temples.
These temples tell the stories that I have read and told and loved.
The kankal temple tells the story of Shiva and Pavarti, her suicide
and his anguish. The temple is built around the fire pit upon which
she threw herself.

This is also the birth place of goddess Sati. (incarnation of Parvati)
The Chandresvara temple is where Shiva visited Chandra to grant his
request that he be with Shiva always, hence the portrayal of the
crescent moon on Shiva's head. We had a huge puja there. Puja galore.
With a really hot Vedic preist. The ceremony was about 2 1/2 hours.
After Maria anointed, baathed and dressed the murtis we gathered
around the lingam for Rudrabhisekh puja... Basically this means BIG
Shiva Puja. Lots of detailed ritual. My seat positioned me at the
drain on the lingam, so as it was bathed in milk, ghee, water,
sandalwood paste, flowers etc... So was I. Sandlwood paste and
flowers, great. Milk and water, ick. By the end I was sitting in a
puddle of whitish water. Yuck, but holy yuck I suppose.

Chandra Devi temple is like an amusemnt park and depicts the ten
incarnations of Sati. We rode a gondola up to the temples! Its
located in one of the national parks so the greenery was vast and
beautiful. Deer and monkey siting in the ride up and spectacular
sunset on the way down. Rakesh threw down with a puja offering
vendor because she was trying to cheat us out of some money.
His chest got very puffy, it was comical.
I played catch with a monkey at the Anjenay temple (hanuman's mom)
I tossed a coconut and a monkey came swooping in and caught it. Most
of the monkeys are about the same size. This was the king kong monkey.
I was handing the normal size monkeys treats when he came out of the
brush barreling toward me. I threw my coconut and retreated with a hop
and a skip. He jumped up, caught my coconut and took off. It was
hilarious.

The NeelKanth temple which is situated where Shiva took refuge after
he drank the poison from the churning of the ocean. Pavratri gathered
everyone to support and cheer him and then festival shivatri was
created.
Lovely day !!!

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