We’ve hit festival season in India.
Last night began Lord Krishna’s birthday, and a girl from our program invited us to her family’s temple to check it out. Sometimes, being American—consequently a guest—can really work in our favor. We got a special talk from the president of the temple, who’s evidently ridiculously connected and important, about the importance of loving God (any God, but that didn’t exactly make it less awkward if you’re not a great believer). We saw a video of the Bathing of the Deities in milk, honey, yogurt, guy, and spices and other things, and then there was dancing. I think India’s just bashing me over the head that Indians, especially Hindus, are really just browner Jews. Except for the addition of one twirl, we did an exact hora, with real clapping and circles and everything.
One of the really great things about Hinduism, I’ve come to notice, is that they’re so lovely about people of other faiths. To go to a Hindu temple on a festival is an honor, not an infringement, and they are so very accepting. Doesn’t really make me feel any better, though, about standing between the people offering prayers and they’re deities, but we were guests, so that’s what they put us.
Today, I hear tell there’s celebration involving people making human pyramids and breaking pots filled with yogurt, and the group that succeeds gets a cash prize. I need to learn more about this, but I’m definitely going hunting for this after classes.
The Ganpati festival comes up soon, which is ten days of idols of Ganesha put up all over the city. These festivals are constant! Not to mention Rosh, and Yom Kippur, and Sukkot, all of which I have to learn to celebrate in a foreign land. Lots of apples and honey is Pune, though, so I think I can concoct something.
Time for Contemporary India, so I’ll run away now, but festivals were on the mind. I’m also planning a 5 day trip for our travel week to Kerala, so I’ll probably share that when I figure it out.
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