Shiva.. Decadence and Bliss..
There is something about a shiva temple which captures the discerning mind. It is never a symbol of opulence and there is always a sense of decadence that prevails the atmosphere. May be that is how the destroyer ordained his abodes to be. But despite the seemingly negative aspects of shiva temples, there is bliss always lurking around the corner to those who wish to see it.It's Marghazi maasam in the southern hemisphere , the season of the gods. Most temples are swarming with people and the Kaplileeswarar temple located in the in the southern part of what used to be called Madras is no exception. This is the scene that is played out on a fine margazhi evening...
The temple is packed with people of all hues and shapes. Lord kapaleeswarar(Shiva) gets the respect that is due to him after a customory obeisance is paid to goddess karpagambal (Shiva's consort). Meanwhile , the Mandapam close to the sanctum sanctorum structure is where one gets to see all the activity. People are huddled together in groups discussing existential topics ranging from prices of vegetables to family gossips. Local gossips and cricket also gets the attention that is due.The icing in the cake is a gentleman gesticulating, mouthing praises on Lord shiva to an audience that is just not in the mood to listen . Suddenly he decides that the only way to grab the audience's attention is to start singing. Certain verses from the deep recesses of his memory pour forth. But our audience decide that the matters that are under discussion need to be accorded the highest priority. The saintly gentleman is resolute and taunts the audience with certain references to Tamil films.The audience give a disdainful look at the saintly gentleman for such references. Realising that he had crossed the limit while enticing the audience, the saintly gentleman decides to acquire a more sober tone.Meanwhile, a member of a group which was eagerly discussing the cricketing affairs of the 70's and the 80's, starts gesticualting apparently trying to impersonate David Gower.One wonders what David Gower has to say to such gesticulations...
A symbol of decadence. An attestation to the fact that this is indeed Kali Yuga, it might seem to some.But there were souls like me in the crowd who derived bliss out of this. The beauty behind this place is that it allows people to be themselves without any pretensions to piety.For those who have the mental constitution to savour the theatre that is on offer, peppered with spiritualism, bliss is available well packaged.India is an assualt on your senses, it is said ,and Kapaleeswar temple in the month of margazhi is indeed a testimony to that.
There is something about a shiva temple which captures the discerning mind. It is never a symbol of opulence and there is always a sense of decadence that prevails the atmosphere. May be that is how the destroyer ordained his abodes to be. But despite the seemingly negative aspects of shiva temples, there is bliss always lurking around the corner to those who wish to see it.It's Marghazi maasam in the southern hemisphere , the season of the gods. Most temples are swarming with people and the Kaplileeswarar temple located in the in the southern part of what used to be called Madras is no exception. This is the scene that is played out on a fine margazhi evening...
The temple is packed with people of all hues and shapes. Lord kapaleeswarar(Shiva) gets the respect that is due to him after a customory obeisance is paid to goddess karpagambal (Shiva's consort). Meanwhile , the Mandapam close to the sanctum sanctorum structure is where one gets to see all the activity. People are huddled together in groups discussing existential topics ranging from prices of vegetables to family gossips. Local gossips and cricket also gets the attention that is due.The icing in the cake is a gentleman gesticulating, mouthing praises on Lord shiva to an audience that is just not in the mood to listen . Suddenly he decides that the only way to grab the audience's attention is to start singing. Certain verses from the deep recesses of his memory pour forth. But our audience decide that the matters that are under discussion need to be accorded the highest priority. The saintly gentleman is resolute and taunts the audience with certain references to Tamil films.The audience give a disdainful look at the saintly gentleman for such references. Realising that he had crossed the limit while enticing the audience, the saintly gentleman decides to acquire a more sober tone.Meanwhile, a member of a group which was eagerly discussing the cricketing affairs of the 70's and the 80's, starts gesticualting apparently trying to impersonate David Gower.One wonders what David Gower has to say to such gesticulations...
A symbol of decadence. An attestation to the fact that this is indeed Kali Yuga, it might seem to some.But there were souls like me in the crowd who derived bliss out of this. The beauty behind this place is that it allows people to be themselves without any pretensions to piety.For those who have the mental constitution to savour the theatre that is on offer, peppered with spiritualism, bliss is available well packaged.India is an assualt on your senses, it is said ,and Kapaleeswar temple in the month of margazhi is indeed a testimony to that.
posted by Madras to Ambai at 7:35 AM
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