Tips For a Fulfilling Pilgrimage

It was the first time when my entire family planned to go out for an outing. Generally one or the other member is to be absent. May be it was the call of lord Krishna or his blessings that we all went together to Mathura – Brindavan. My father and my brother two males in the house are totally opposite and so are my sis and my mom. My parents got up early and got ready and we three naahhh…wat u think we wld be doin…??Gud guess!! We were in our beds. We had a plan to move early so that we could reach there in morning hours but we got late and were left with very little time with us to visit all the temples. We couldn’t stretch our stay as my dad had an appointment with his doctor and all of us had to attend our office the next day. All the temples in Mathura and Brindavan get close at around 1 pm, so we had to hurry up. Though we were able to pay homage at all the temples but all in a hurry. Apart from the time we faced many other problems and I noted some points to have a fulfilling pilgrimage in future and which I intent to share with all so that reading this blog can have a fulfilling and a relaxed pilgrimage.

• Never try to do more than two or three major temples in a day. There is too mush to see and experience in each of them.
• Look out for a booklet on the history of the temple from the office or shop. It will tell you what to see in the temple, the significance of the deities and what offerings may. Hire a guide if available
• Start early. Most temples open by 6 am and the early morning worship is always a wonderful experience. Also, it is wiser to avoid the bigger temples after 10.30 am, especially if it is summer. The granite paving stones of the praharams get unbearably hot and covering the vast spaces between one shrine and another within the complex will be difficult.
• Most temples close by noon and reopen only around 4 pm. Use this time for eating lunch, resting and traveling to your next destination so as to manage your time best.
• Upon entering a temple, look for the temple tank. It is customary to wash your feet in it and sprinkle a little water on your head before entering the temple proper. Traditionally, the subsidiary deities at the entrance are worshiped before going onto the main sanctum. This could be Vinayaka in a Shiva temple and Garuda in a Vishnu Temple. Its also customary to pay respects to the mounts of the deities, the Nandi or lion outside the sanctum you should visit first, the god’s or the goddess – this varies from temple to temple.
• Try not to spill the vibhuti or kumkum given to you as prasadam on the ground. Some temples have convenient little bowls attached to the pillars into which you can deposit the powders. Many do not. Carry two plastic bags with you so that you can deposit vibhuti in one and kumkum in the other.
• Traditionally, the sanctum is not circumambulated just once. Devotees go around it at least two time s or, better still, three times. In the case of the Navagraha sanctums, nine times is prescribed and at least three are advised.
• It is customary to prostrate only at the flagstaff outside the main sanctum, with your head facing the east or the north.
• Sit for a few minutes in the temple before leaving: think over your experience, soak in the atmosphere – it leaves you feeling refreshed.
• If you would like to give alms outside a temple, keep a separate bag of coins ready. It’s tough to rummage in your bag for change amidst the clamor.

Have a fulfilling Pilgrimage.Radhe Radhe...