#HeardOverATrainRide

‘Jagah kahan hai Mandir mein itne bhagwanon ke liye…hotch potch ho jayegi…Durga maiya, Bhagwan Ram, Krishan bhagwan…aur Sai bhagwan… dekho kaise adjust karenge….sabko nehlana, prasad banana..bahut kaam hai har bhagwan ka’

This is also depictive of the close and intimate relationship people in India (women specially) have with their Gods and temples. May be this also explains the entire ‘Ready to Wait’ campaign against the SC judgement on Sabarimala.

‘Darshan’ in temples is not merely a physical act but also an exercise in self-reflection and self-examination. A lot of people are commenting on the Sabarimala judgement, many non-devotees. According to tradition Lord Ayyappa who is a celibate God doesnt give Darshan to mensturating women. This has been a continuous relationship between God and his Devotees (those seeking Darshan). On looking at it from a distance and with the lens of equality and gender justice- this appears as an unfair practice. Many females who believe in God feel discriminated against because of this practise & may be rightly so are outraged.

This leaves with certain questions that need introspection! When the relationship in a temple is between the devotee and God, do I have a say as an outsider in this? Should I be judging how a devotee seeks Darshan?

My first reaction on overhearing this conversation was ‘What Ignorace! what can a mere mortal do for the Creator’. But one look at the women talking and I knew I was wrong. Their concern was genuine…their Gods do reside in their temples and looking after them is their #Dharma!