Temples.

My first visit to a temple here and the second in this year. Somehow i havent been inclined to go to a temple and pray for a long time. I know it gives a calming effect and restores faith in everything good. Yet, i refuse to take the rituals and customs into my stride. religion as I believe is something tailor made for every individual and one lives by that set of ideas and beliefs. I cannot stand the strong crowds and the mess, most famous Indian temples are associated with. For me it is a place for silence and solitude to gain a new perspective on things and derive strength. (I love the majestic churches for that)

However this was a different experience. Maybe because it was a temple in a foregin land. Something of a rare sight that makes one feel and smell the things back home. See similar people around, hear the known chantings, music and doing the same things that makes your definition of worship. Maybe it would be the same feeling attending an indian wedding here.

I personally love temple architecture and the vastness of space around its complex. Mythology, colours and traditions comes flashing by. This was a southern indian style shiva-vishnu temple. Different than the Northern temples i have visited. black deities, the carnatic renditions, meenaxi temple type structures and multiple gods i'd not heard of until now. It was divine.