On our way to the airport (leaving Shillong) we were running ahead of schedule and had time to go to the infamous Hindu temple, Kamakhya located on Nilachal Hill in Guwahati. We happened to be in time for the first of a four day festival in celebration for the mother, Sati.
Legend has it, that Sudarshana (a minion to the God Vishnu) killed Shiva's wife, Sati, because she was burning herself and her father (in disapproval of the marriage) was causing Shiva to go mad. Her pieces were thrown into the sky and her womb fell on Nilchal Hill. Overnight, the Kamakhya temple was built and represents one of many sacred places in India where her pieces fell. During the summertime, the waters run red with red zink representing her menstrual fluids. Women come from around the world during this festival to worship Sati and get blessed with fertility.
As we wandered around the chaotic and vibrant display of color and spirituality, Sadu's began their four day fast, widows begged for money, and incense burned constantly creating a dense miasma. Clasping our hands, we prayed to Sati, repeating mantras that none of us understood. We received blessings, flowers and bindis on our foreheads. Men held tritans, hair was dreaded into masses, and hands were shoved in our faces begging for money. As the hoards of people bustled by and stared into our foreign, bewildered eyes I became self conscious of my existence at this ceremony, yet intrigued by the passion and devotion that I experienced. This was one of those moments where you stop, and think...holy shit! I'm in INDIA!
1 comment:
Your experience in Shillong sounds educational in so many ways. Congrats on getting a fertility blessing? What a wild ceremony/experience. So cool that we get the play by play from the comfort of our armchair....but would love to have that experience. Thanks for an update.
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