Meeting Guruvayur Shri Krishna- Then And Now

                                          
By Suryalaxmi R.                          

        
You can go to temples with a wish list. You can bribe the deity with offerings or if it's a big budget temple visit, then the pilgrimage is more of a family picnic. Temple visits are what we make of them.

It's has happened to me many times that I went to temple with a prayer plan but by the time I was at the sanctum, I got distracted from the real purpose. But over the years I have learnt to treat visiting big temples as just another outing, an exploration in culture, a lesson in architecture and fresco paintings and more often it’s been my way to find connection with my roots. So, came a day when I booked tickets to Thrissur, my home town only for a special visit to Guruvayur temple. It was the first time I was going to Kerala only for a pilgrimage.

It was around 5.30 in the morning when we boarded the bus from Kodungalloor. Such buses are well in sync with the pilgrimage theme with their music, lights and even the fragrant incense sticks. The fragrance of the Jasmine wafted from the ladies. And the men had their foreheads smeared with sandalwood and ashes. So, the mood was set and the bus geared up to make it's way through the dawn.

                   
I was at Guruvayur now and the way to the entrance flanked by kiosks is ever so welcoming. We checked the queue of the devotees to find out whether there was any room for us. As expected the queue was overflowing from one entrance to the other as they must have started from around 3 o clock in the early morning. The temple administration board, I noticed had grown in their consideration for the visitors. They had set up benches for the devotees to sit in the queue instead of standing. The mural paintings were restored and the colours looked rather fresh. From the temple authorities had come a new "facility" for the devotees who want to avoid waiting in the queue. It was- pay 1000 Rs and get a direct entry without having to stand in the queue. This new system had come into effect only few days back and had made many happy. So, as we did not come prepared for a queue waiting, we had to choose the 1000 rupees entry scheme.

                            
We were inside the temple waiting for the main door to the idol to open again while the ritual of Shiveli was going on. The Shiveli has the idol of Sri Krishna sitting on an elephant and taking a ride round the temple on the inside path way. The priests led the procession with a lamp and a group of devotees chanted "Krishna Krishna ... Narayana" turning the already ethereal atmosphere of the temple more goose bumps like.

                        
Men squatted in front of the elephant bearing the lord. Women chant with their eyes almost brimming with tears. The entry to the main structure is closed for Shiveli. So, the queue was at a stand still. The entry reopened and we all geared up. For the first time I was entering without the least hassles. Because I had paid for it.

                           
Previously, as soon as the visit was decided, we would pray that may Guruvayur Appan lets us see him easily. And if we really make it, it meant the lord had actually blessed us. There have been times when we were caught in the chaotic rush of the queue. We smouldered in the heat and struggled with the bodies of other devotees brushing against ours merely escaping a fight. On certain other occasions, we returned home after just bowing from the outside. We inferred that we could meet the lord when he thought it was time for us not when we prepared to meet him. Yes, Guruvayur Shri Krishna temple is very crowded. And the rest depends on your luck.

                           
So, what happened this time? I was lucky that I had some cash in hand. As soon as the Shiveli was over, we were shown the way in. The passage has a broad mirror on top showing the devotees passing in. This serves a crucial purpose as now the people are too close physically to commit robberies and misbehaviors.

                          
I gazed at the mirror just like that and soon forgot to notice I was very much close to my dear friend, Shri Krishna. While at the sanctum, people rushed to drop their offerings even more than they rushed to bow to the Lord. I saw a 2000 rupees note on the offerings plate. I guess the person had something important to get done from the Lord.

                        
 The dhoti draped stone idol with sandalwood smeared forehead seemed to smile back at me. Like I said, it was one of those occasions, when I got distracted from my prayer plan by the time I met the lord. It took few moments to recollect what I actually wanted to ask for.. perhaps I should have got a wish list with me. No..Why don't I just feel the moment with the lamplit, chanting filled sanctum starring at the idol? After all I am here while others are still waiting outside for hours. There was a tinge of guilt in me but.. I too have had my share of waiting in the past. Was it a sin to pay and meet you, my lord? Not sure, but I guess he would say- you can do all that you can.. but I will give only what you deserve.

                        
Inside the main structure, every time I feel I am seeing it all for the first time. May be because every time it is a rushed-up affair. I stood a while admiring a grand stone carving in black metallic colour of lord Vishnu in Ananthashayanayam.  A majestic sculpture, it is the kind of art that makes you wish all legends and mythology be true. Just so that the art is justified. So now I get out of the sanctum. Really? Can't those who paid stay longer? After all we paid! No.. that was all.

                      
Now we headed to the Prasadam counter. Thankfully the queue wasn't long. I was handed over receipts for Prasadam, the bag and all other that entails had to be taken at separate counters. Again, I admired the organised functioning of the authority.

                       
Now our next mission was to get ourselves the langar lunch. The langar hall was different and the queue also started separately. We started from close to the tank where the devotees took a dip cleansing themselves. The large tank was rather unsafe apparently. A sculpture of a little Krishna dancing on the head of the serpent Kalia was aptly placed in the middle. The queue, needless to say was really long. The serving would start not before 11. Thereafter as we secured our place, "the God's food" was waiting for us.

                   
As soon as a hump of rice was served, hot dal and then simmering ghee was poured over it. The food was simple and wholesome.. and you have no idea how hungry I was by then. I ate steadily and gobbled in between to fill myself.

                   
I felt like I was having a drop from the His bounty. I was full. Not sure whether it was only food. It was one of those moments when I felt that may it never be proved that God doesn't exist. There's so much meaning in life, in nature, in art and people when you feel God's existence.