I cannot put my finger on the moment I became interested in observing the costumes of the various deities in temples. Here in Kannur, my younger days, it was just a customary, hai, a hurried pranam and then bye. .I could never pray from a temple, and the sooner I got out, the better. Fleeting references from friends or relatives about the yellow Konam(under garment) of lord Krishna, and the alankaram of Sri Mookambika Devi, just kindled a spark, which died down as quick as it had glowed. Moreover in Kannur, they never used to dress up deities. It was the tantric form which is different from the mantra rituals in other states. The idol is most often than not, of black stone and at the most embellished with a couple of gold strands. But now, having stumbled upon the joy I am filled with, while seeing the deities in a completely different frame of mind.. the rewards are bountiful. I look forward to it. First and foremost.. our minds are forever prying and prancing on a myriads of scenes, imaginary dialogues, pent up emotions, the amount of pending work to be done, and much more... Stillness of the mind is something which is very desirable, but it is like the proverbial sour grapes. It definitely stills the mind. As Keats said" A thing of beauty is a joy forever". I remember going to Thiruppathi temple where the Lord wears the finest and the most opulent jewels, being the most resplendant God In the universe. At the time, I wasn't even remotely interested, but as I came face to face with Balaji, I was dumbstruck by the effulgence and sheer beauty radiating from Him. But in a flash, I was throbbed to move along and it was gone leaving a desolateness I c'd n't fathom. Slowly I started to take notice .. of the nose studs, the antique jewellery around the neck, the arched eyebrows and the black kohl lined eyes. The brilliant color of the sareees which was neatly pleated to form a large fan. The crown and the head gear, the vermillion on her forehead, and the black hair which sometimes cascades down to her feet. swords, conch shells, scrolls, coins,peac ock feathers, and fans,.. The dainty feet and the anklets started tinkling in the inner recesses of my mind and all I wanted was to gaze and gaze and gaze. The Nimishamba temple is on the banks of the Cauvery in Srirangpatna. This temple was built by the Wodeyars around four hundred years back. Nimishamba ..she gratifies your wishes in minutes. You enter the lane and you find ladies selling green and red bangles. However many times I see this I never get tired of the sight. Glass bangles signify the transience of life. and the message.. Handle with care..Life is like the multi hued shimmering glass bangle. you have to handle it as you w'd a glass bangle. Garlands of lime, and baskets with coconuts and flowers are thrust into your hands. I brush them away and settle for glass bangles. the variety of greens, fresh vegetables, seasonal fruits all vie for your attention. a large peepal tree with navagrahas is a quaint sight.
The Cauvery beckons. Round boats swirl in the current. You dip your feet to cleanse yourself, not only your feet, but your mind and your soul is scrubbed clean and emptied of all the debris, to fill yourself with the divine effulgence. There is a belief, that if you have something which is a source of worry, you take a lime and take it into the shrine and pray to Nimishamba, holding the lime close to your heart, and visualise all your worries enter the lime, and go out and throw it into the Cauvery, woes and all!!
Nimishamba Devi is beautiful beyond words.. She stands clad in traditional kanjeevaram colors... adorned with exquisite jewelry, floral garlands abound..roses, marigolds, jasmine, khakra... lime garlands lend a touch of the sun.The sri chakra in front of her turns into heap of vermillion kumkum, from the archana which is performed reciting the thousand names to woo her, flatter her, beseech her to shower her blessings and grace on us, mere mortals.
I exclaim to my son and husband to see how beautiful she looks... and they too have discovered the beauty this exercise renders. I observe her saree, her nose studs, her nose studs, her hair, her crown, her garlands, her eyes...A tranquility seeps in.. and I am alone with the beautiful Goddess. My crinkled forehead smoothens and I am filled with pure serene joy. The theertha is dribbled over my head and it drizzles down my face. A pair of green and red bangles, deep red kum kum and ajasmine strand is hurriedly placed in my hand. We circumambulate the temple, buy the laddoos as prasad and troop out to sit on the banks of the Cauvery. A sprightly young girl, around eight yrs come to sell her masala vadas which costed only three rupees. We sit on the steps and watch the flurry of activity, the business transactions, the brand new couples and to be weds too. An atheist asked me.. Why do you spend so much time, money and effort and hopes on these temples. channelise your energies to more productive things" Yes we do not need the rituals, temples or poojas or flowers or candles... The human race just needs money, food, water to live your life till death. you don't need music, you dont need art, you dont need branded stuff, you dont need to travel, discotheques, beauty and beer parlours..pubs and bars.. Maybe in earlier times when techies, and professional and vocational colleges did not and exist, the post of a poojari must have been a coveted one.
Feel the fabric and the texture of your life..snuggling in the comfort of your cosy quilt, in the early dewy morning, you miss the camphor infused theertha which is dribbled into your hands, and a few leaves of the tulsi and marigold petals which is offered to the Lord or a blob of the creamy God's own scented sandalwood paste. The warm feel of the burning camphor which is swished before the deity and the soft glow of the lamps, and if you are lucky to notice.. the quivering lips of old hunch backed ladies clad in worn out Kanjeevarams or mundu veshti if in Kerala, chanting the Lord's name in pure devotion.
