a glimpse of India: quick hits from Bombay

this amiable shopkeeper was happy to have us

While i was in Bombay my colleagues and i hired a car for the day and the girls really wanted to do some shopping. Since they obliged my desire to pull over at the sight of a cricket match, i figured it was only fair.

what do you think - is this my color?

this dude will tell you about carpets all day

While the ladies tried on various items, i was left with the carpet guy downstairs who insisted on telling me all about the “magic carpet” rugs they had for sale, despite my insistence that i was not in the market for one. I humored him by listening politely for a good 20 minutes before he wore me out and i decided i’d rather join the girls in the dressing room.

a roasted peanut stand, which are quite popular here

We stopped off at a Hindu temple and it just so happened to be the holy day. A massive flood of people made their way in the temple one way and streamed out the other. Outside the temple, small stands lined the road selling peanuts, religious articles, and flowers. We joined the river of humanity and were swept along until we found ourselves inside. One of the temple guards noticed us, and though he did not speak english, he motioned for us to follow him.

Hindu devotees flowing in and out of the temple

The temple’s main alter is enclosed in a special building and the line of pilgrims stretched outside. Each person held a bunch of flowers they intended to take inside. The guard showed us in the special side door so we could see what the commotion was all about. Once inside, we saw the procession of people handing their flowers to the ‘alter keeper’ (i just made that term up), who placed the flowers next to a golden statue of a Hindu god. The alter keeper then took previously ‘blessed’ flowers from the alter and gave them to the pilgrim. The pilgrim also receives a bit of red dust for their forehead as a sign of their devotion. I was told this whole act is called “blessing the God.”

This stall is one of many selling flowers to pilgrims

My colleague Jennifer and i were able to take part as well. We both received a blessed flower and red dot. It was great to be a part of, and i was quite impressed at how welcomed we were at the temple. I wore the red dot proudly the rest of the day.