Delhi Diaries IV

After quite some time, decided to set out on another discover 'Delhi' trip..
destination: Lotus Temple+ ISKCON temple.

Decided to travel by the cheapest and surest means of transport in Delhi, the bus. ride time from Janakpuri to Nehru Place:over 100minutes!!!!
DISASTER!!!
:))
thankfully.. skies were cloudy during the ride and it did rain for awhile.. and esp while passing thru the palam airport area.. the smell of dry, parched grass lands.. welcoming the drops of the rain...definitely the kind of smell tat gets most ppl nostalgic.. and make them miss their village/home.

Anyways.. reached nehru place abs tired and weary after the journey..after a short walk of abt 15mins.. we reached the Lotus temple.
Definitely a wonderful piece of architecture... (Does Infy blore have a foodcourt like this..?? i think it does.. if not blore.. then some other DC.. not sure)..
well..for starters.. as i walked in..i was surprised to read the plaque outside talking abt the 'Baha i ' faith.. n tat this temple is by them..
I do consider myself to be well read abt most things.. but i was surprised by my ignorance of this faith and sect completely!
Definitely warranted more info on this.. hence i set off towards the monument..
acres n acres of grass lawns all around.. the stone paved path leading upto the temple.. almost feels like a grand royal entrance to a palace.. very beautiful!
once you climb the first level of gardens.. u reach a place where efficient volunteers guide the ppl and help keep your footwear ( funny how most looked like indians.. but had a funny foreign english accent!!!)..
anyways..after that.. as u climb onto the next level.. the 1st thing tat catches ur attn is the many pools at the base of the temple..very scenic.(im told there are 9 pools.. 9 is a very imp number for the Baha-i faith.. since its the biggest single digit number.. hence signifyin everything,complete and wholesome). its a diff issue.. tat the waters of the pool seemed milky white (im guessin not changed in a long time).. and the base was littered with coins many tourists throw in.. blivin it will make their wishes come true.
next we walked into the temple itself.. n w-o-w.. a temple like no other ive ever seen..
just rows n rows of marble lined benches all facing a makeshift platform.. from which im guessin some1 can speak or give a discourse.
(while inside.. strict silence must be maintained at all times..! the pamphlet distributed outside mentioned.. the temple is not used for any idol worship, no spiritual rituals, nothing.. only occassional prayer meetings.. and at other times.. it is open to the general public.. who must remain silent while inside the temple.)
its a wonderful experience to sit inside and just stare at the ceiling.. beautiful buiding..n did i mention.. it seemed to be made completely of marble.

anyways.. from there we moved on to the ISKCON temple nearby...
im NOT an atheist.. but trips to such highly commercialised temples.. sure compel me to consider being one.
It will suffice at this point tat i came away from the temple.. eating a 25 bucks ice cream and humming a westernised version of "hare krishna hare krishna, krishna krishna hare hare.."...( yes.. complete with western vocals..foreign accent.. guitars.. synths.. drums.. )..
i will sheepishly admit here.. i was enjoying the ice cream and the music.. cuz i first thought it was some western ballad.. n then when i paid a little more attn.. was a bit shocked to hear the above words!
(for those interested.. there are all kinds of stall in the temple complex.. from confectioners.. to snack stalls.. to a light/sound/robot show.. to highlight the indian culture blah blah).
on the way back.. i once again passed by the Lotus temple.. n impossible as it may seem.. the temple seemed even more beautiful in the evening..

Def worth a dekkho! esp for its beauty... and that rare SILENCE.. which seems to be missin in most hindu places of worship..

Only wish Delhi govt considers makin it a bit more easier for travellers by connection nehru place to the metro!