A Visit to a South Indian Temple in London

     
     

   

The Murugan Temple (Front View)

The Murugan Statue in the Main Sanctum

                                        A Visit to a South Indian Temple in London

The Highgate Hill Murugan Temple is one of the famous temples in north of London near Kings Cross Station. Once at this same spot there was a Jewish Synagogue founded in 1930 but later was shifted to a disused church in the neighborhood, which was gutted by fire in 1976. Then the Jewish Congregation moved to the Highgate village in 1979. The Britannia Hindu (Shiva) Temple Trust bought this land and established this temple in1973 and created Hindu Temple Trust, an organization which took keen interest in preserving the Hindu tradition and culture, and also in catering to the religious and spiritual needs of non-resident Indians. Sri Sabhapathi Pillai, a Srilankan Tamilian, made commendable efforts in maintaining and organizing this temple to function as per Tamil Saiva Siddhantha principles and norms. Along with Sanskrit hymns, Tamil hymns are also chanted during worship and other ceremonial rituals. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II along with Prince Philip visited this temple in June, 2002 during her Golden Jubilee Tour.

This temple is located on the main road along with a row of houses and shops. The front view is just like a shop with ordinary wooden doors. The sign board “Murugan Temple” only gives us the clue that there is a temple inside. As we climbed the steps, a beautiful South Indian temple with pyramid-shaped tower with many tiers decked with carved statues greeted our sight. Around the main temple we saw many other smaller temples dedicated to other Hindu gods and goddesses. In brief we can witness a pretty temple complex established in a spacious upstairs house consisting of four or five rooms with a library, two concert halls and a residential quarter for the chief priest. Just at the top of the stairs to the right side of the loft, the sacred form of Shiva is seen with a small idol of Nandi (the sacred bull) in front of the Lord Shiva. The gold-plated conglomeration of temples, and idols decorated with golden crowns and ornaments at once created the grandeur of a typical South Indian temple. The rooms were kept very neat. One can find the various mounts of various gods and goddesses along with a gilded chariot in one room. In midst of such a busy area, one can find a very beautiful Indian temple with all paraphernalia, which speaks of the clever and committed fervor of devotees who have not omitted any fine details in construction of the temple and in creating a sacred and devout atmosphere around.A huge array of garlands made of Indian flora such as chrysanthemums, jasmines and white lilies added more Indian splendor to the temple. Unlike in other temples of England, here we found a row of oil-lit lamps and scented incense-sticks. Just in the center of the ceiling there is a big exhaust pipe to suck out any smoke to avoid inconvenience to the visitors.

    

A Statue on the temple tower with pea-cocks

     

   

A Statuette on the walls of the temple tower

Another marked characteristic is that the idols of various deities are made of shining black stone or granite. Generally nowadays we find marble statues installed in the sanctum without customary oil-lit lamps and fragrance of incense sticks. The main deity Lord Murugan along with His two consorts stood on the pedestal along with His pea-cock mount, holding His mighty spear(called Shakthi) in one hand and a pole with the insignia of a rooster on a flag made of metal.This statue was made in the form of Murugan idol in Tiruchandur ( A famous Temple of Murugan in Tamilnadu) in1973 by Mohan Ram belonging to the famous Temple-Town, Kumbhakonam in Tamilnadu. This statue is almost five feet tall. The rich jewellery and silk garments enhanced the brilliance of the idols. Loads of fruits and flowers lay at the feet of the Lord as the priest was chanting rhythmically the one hundred and eight names of the Lord praising His divine attributes and achievements. Glowing camphor and oil-lit lamps were waved before the Lord to the accompaniment of the ringing temple bells amidst the shouts of Lord’s name by enthusiastic devotees. The priest went along with devotees to wave camphor-flame (arati)  to other gods and goddesses and worship them by offering flowers and fruits. All devotees bowed before the main deity and touched the incense of glowing camphor and dropped a few coins as a humble offering (Dakshina). Later all were blessed by the priest individually and were given holy water (thirtham) and consecrated offerings (prasadam). Devotees went round the sacred deities to show their respect and devotion. In another room we saw a row of lustrously polished metal idols which are taken in procession in the temple chariot on special festive occasions.

  

The Sacred Form of  Lord Shiva

Various idols in the room

      

The Chariot Festival

Gods mounted on various vahanas

      

As we got down the stairs there is a big hall with a row of tables and chairs. Some devotee has arranged a feast, a kind of doing charity, before starting his business enterprise. All the visitors were welcomed to have their sumptuous fill of South Indian dishes like dal, sambar, milk porridge and crunchy papads. All beamed with satisfaction as if God gave His sacred food (Prasadam) graciously along with His merciful blessings.

This temple serves as a shining example of how even in a limited space one can have an excellent temple meticulously observing and performing traditional rituals and providing moral and spiritual support to Indians and other interested people.

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   Dated:22-03-2014                                                               SOMASESHU GUTALA

On Jedbergh Abbey

       

View of the abbey from the west

North side of the Nave

         

 

Front view of the abbey

 

eighth century stone shrine

    

 

                                                

   Jedberg Abbey is located on the north bank of the Jedwater.  This spot was probably once used for a church by Bishop Ecgred of Lindifarne in 830 A.D. Jedberg is a large town existing between New Castle-upon-Tyne and Edinburgh. This Augustinian abbey dedicated to St.Mary was founded by the Scottish king, David I in 1153. Before that it existed as a priory (smaller than abbey, a convent )  in 1118 when David was a young prince. His grandsons Malcolm IV and William I of Scotland patronized this abbey. This abbey was endowed with considerable property and financial resources in Northumberland, and revenue from chapels and land in Southern Scotland. The construction of the abbey was completed in 1285 when Alexander III of Scotland married the princess Yolande de Dreux here.This abbey is an example of ornate stonework built in three storeys with rows of Romanesque arches, columns , decorative roofing and artistically designed tombs. This abbey was built in early Gothic and Romanesque style. In the abbey church there is a 12^th century tomb probably of John, Bishop of Glasgow, buried here in 1148. 

 

A Tomb in the abbey

         

Ornate stonework

   Due to its proximity to England’s border this abbey was attacked and damaged many times by the English forces. When William Wallace of Scotland defeated the Earl of Surrey in 1297 at Sterling, the English army wrecked the abbey to wreak vengeance. Later Robert I of Scotland took care of the abbey. In 1346 after the Scottish defeat at the battle of Neville Cross, the abbey was again attacked. In 1370 David II of Scotland completed the construction of the northern transept (building beside the main part of the church). This abbey faced attacks from the English army in 1410, 1416 and 1464. In 1523 both the abbey and the town were set ablaze by the forces belonging to the Earl of Surrey. In 1564 the Earl of Hertford attacked and damaged the abbey. With Scottish Reformation in 1560, this abbey lost its status. Though the monks were allowed to stay, the abbey was used as a parish Kirk for the reformed religion.  In 1871 it was considered unsafe to continue worship at the ruined abbey church, and so a new church was built as an extension to the western part of the nave. The Marquis of Lothian undertook restoration work of this abbey. Later in 1917 this abbey was handed over to Historic Scotland for preservation and proper maintenance of this marvelous construction. During excavation many artifacts like the 8^th century Anglian stone shrine, a Roman altar, a stone sarcophagus and an ivory comb belonging to 11^th century were discovered.     

   The monks of Jedburgh actively participated in social service activities such as giving shelter and feeding the poor and needy in times of famine, and cultivating gardens with medicinal herbs. In 15^th century they set up a grammar school to educate children. In the Jedburgh Tower House nearby Queen Mary of Scotland stayed in 1556 for sometime before she fled to London to escape from the wrath of rebellious Scottish nobles. Now this house is converted into a museum where many articles associated with her including her death-mask, are displayed.

  My visit to Scottish abbeys gave me a little knowledge about the pivotal role played by these citadels of knowledge in both spiritual and religious affairs. The tragic irony is that such magnificent centers preaching love and service had been razed down and their stores of wisdom consigned to flames just because of political hatred and destructive revenge, the curse of mankind in general.

The Diamond Bridge on Forth River

 

  On our way back to Edinburgh we luckily saw the famous Diamond Bridge, a modern technological marvel constructed over the river Forth, fourteen kilometers away from Central Edinburgh. This bridge was constructed between Dec.1882 and Jan.1890. It was opened on 4^th March 16, 1890; the length of this railway bridge is nearly 8,296 feet and connects Edinburgh with Fife. Next to Quebec Bridge this is the longest railway bridge in the world. This bridge was designed by two English men Sir John Fowler and Sir Benjamin Baker and the work was executed by Glasgow based Company, Sir William Arrol & Co. This is the first steel bridge in Britain. This bridge was opened by the Prince of Wales (later Edward VII) on 4^th March 16, 1890. The three diamond shaped cantilever structures, each measuring 330 feet in height gives a unique look to this bridge. This bridge is considered as one of the hallmarks and distinguishing features of Scotland. Just running parallel to this, a road bridge is seen over the blue waters of the Forth—a scenic view indeed! This place has become a favorite spot for many film producers to click romantic songs and scenes. We relaxed ourselves near the banks  of the river enjoying the cool breeze and viewing the majestic diamond-shaped bridge spanning over the blue waters of the Forth river before embarking our flight to London again.

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        16th March 2014                                                             SOMASESHU GUTALA

The Magnificent Melrose Abbey

         

Melrose Abbey

Interior part of the Presbytery

 





 

 This historic abbey well-known for its architectural beauty and graceful sculptures is also one of the richest abbeys having nearly 22000 acres of land and trading Melrose wool manufactured here, to neighboring states. It is located just 35 miles away from Edinburgh. Located in an area of 40 acres this abbey built in Gothic style was founded in 1136 by Cistercian monks (a sect of St.Benedict)  on the request of king David I of Scotland. It took nearly ten years to build this abbey in the shape of St.John’s Cross. Nearly one hundred thirty monks used to stay here and spent their time not only in spiritual pursuits but also in cultivating crops and in manufacturing of wool which fetched them adequate funds to carry out their service activities. Most parts of the abbey are in ruined condition. Still one can appreciate the lavishly decorated masonry work by viewing the figures of Mary with Baby Christ, of Christian Saints, angels, gargoyles, plants and stone windows fringed with delicate creepers and designs.This abbey was dedicated to St.Mary on July 28th 1146. The south east entrance and the chapter house are still in good condition.

South Transept Window

     

Abbey seen from south

  In this abbey the graves of many Scottish kings, nobles and famous persons are seen. The heart of the brave Scottish hero, Robert Bruce, encased in a leaden casket was buried here on the abbey’s grounds in 1812. Previously it was supposed to have been buried in the chapter house. The stone coffin of Michael Scott, the magic wizard and philosopher of thirteenth century was found in the south chancel. The tombs of illustrious persons like Alexander II , King of Scots (1198-1249), William Douglas, James Douglas( Both Earls of Douglas),  Sir David Brewster (The inventor of kaleidoscope) and William de Bondington (Bishop of Glasgow)  are found in this abbey.

Tomb of Michael Scott, the wizard

Carvings on the pillar

Virgin with her child

A Statue on the wall

 

South Entrance

Pig playing bagpipe

 In 1322 the abbey was destroyed by Edward II, king of England. The Scottish king Robert Bruce re-built the abbey. In 1385 the abbey was burnt and ravaged by Richard II when he forced the army of the Scottish king Robert II back to Edinburgh. The abbey was re-built in different phases over a period of the next one hundred years. In 1544 the forces of Henry VIII completely damaged the abbey. Henry VIII  resorted to this vandalous act to force the Scots to allow the infant Mary, Queen of Scots, marry his son. After this event the abbey gradually lost its status as a working monastery. The last Abbot was James Stuart, son of James V, who died in 1559. In 1590 the last monk of the abbey died. The last assault on this abbey was by Oliver Cromwell during the Civil War in 1610.  A portion of the church was used as parish for the surrounding town till 1810, when a new church was erected in the town.

  This abbey was very spacious (258 feet in length and 137.5 feet in breadth) with the principal tower reaching 84 feet in height. It has nearly 50 windows, four doors, fifty five niches and fifty buttresses with beautiful carvings, statues and figures. The statues of saints with labeled scrolls in the niches were completely destroyed by the English army during their attacks. Damage was caused by the English forces in 1322 and in 1384. Richard II gave a grant in 1389 to compensate for the losses. During Reformation most of the land grants and possessions of the abbey were seized by the Crown and nobles. The famous author, Sir William Scott described the serene and solemn picturesque sight of this abbey in the second canto of his famous poem “The Lay of the Last Minstrels.” In U.S. a Presbyterian Congregation was built in the pattern of this abbey in Michigan on Bloomfield Hills.


     

The spot where the heart of Robert Bruce was buried

 This abbey is one of the most beautiful constructions that suffered destruction due to political and religious rivalries between Scotland and England. As one leaves the abbey with a heavy heart, one cannot but remember the Scottish inscription “Be halde to ye hende” (Keep in mind the end of your salvation) of John Morow, the Master-Mason, seen on one of the staircases.

“How true, yet so simple embodying a profound moral to all mankind!”

                         

                                              *********************                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     8th Feb. 2014                                                                          SOMASESHU GUTALA

                            

                                            

  

                                      

                                                           

 e

Our Visit to Dryburgh Abbey

Chapter house inside

Chapter house entrance

            

East Processional Door

The Commemorative Obelisk

Rose Window

    

Scott's Grave

                                                                               
      We first visited  Dryburgh Abbey located near St.Boswells, a Scottish village just beside the

bend of the Tweed river. Though it is in a ruined state, the available blocks of sculpture and

walls with windows gave us a faint idea about the beautiful but not showy construction of the

abbey. This abbey was founded on 10th Nov.1150 by the Premonstratensian monks ( a sect of

Augustinians) on a site made sacred St. Modan (an Irish monk who built a chapel here in 522

A.D.). The monks from Alnwick founded this abbey on the site owned by Hugh De MoreVille,

father of one of the assassins of St.Thomas Beckett of Canterbury during the reign of Henry II of

 England  in 1170. In this abbey, the rose window, the cloister, the dormitory, south east entrance 

 and the chapter house ( meeting hall for monks) are still in good condition. The obelisk (a pillar like 

structure commemorating the founder , Hugh De Moreville) installed  by the Earl of Buchan is also in

good condition.

   The English troops of Edward II burnt this abbey severely in 1322. The Scottish king Robert I

restored and patronized the abbey. It was again ravaged and burnt in 1385 during the reign of 

Richard II  of England. With the support of Scottish kings the abbey continued functioning till its

final destruction in 1544. James VI (James I of United Kingdom) gave this abbey to the Earl of

Mar for maintenance after  Scottish reformation in 1560. Later it was bought by David Erskin,

 the Earl of Buchan in 1786. When he died in 1829 he was laid to rest in its sacristy ( an apartment 

in a church where sacred utensils and vestments of priests are kept). This property is now managed by 

Historic Scotland, an organization that looks after preservation and proper maintenance of Scottish 

monuments.

James VI

A Book Cupboard

 Though this abbey was not constructed on a grand scale, the pious and austere lives of monks 

rendering service to the community both at mundane and spiritual levels made it a  worthy monument  

to be remembered as a holy place worth visiting and to feel a sense of devotion.

  The Gothic ruins of the abbey are surrounded by yew and cedar trees. Hugh De Moreville, the

  founder of this abbey, later became a novice in his old age and spent the rest of his life in this abbey

 till His death in 1162. The celebrated novelist, Sir Walter Scott, who was the friend of David Erskin

found his final resting place here in the northern transept. The body of another Scottish hero,

 Field Marshal Douglas Haig was interred beside the tomb of Walter Scott in 1928.

 Unlike other abbeys this abbey, in spite of possessing limited funds , survived for a longer

period though it faced destruction so many times by the English forces. This reputation of this

abbey spread far and wide due to the holy writings of Adam Scott who wrote on nature of God

and Biblical Exegesis.  In brief this abbey is a place of quiet contemplation for medieval monks

who led a very austere and disciplined life without craving for any trace of luxury and opulence.

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     4th February, 2014                                                        Somaseshu Gutala

                            

On Our Way to Scottish Abbeys

The Road  passing through Scottish border

The Cattle on the grassy plains

Eildon Hills

Scott's View Point

    As we proceeded from Edinburgh to Cumbrian Lake District located on Scottish border, we could feel the wild beauty of the High Lands with rocky crags, vast plains , cultivated fields and clumps of wild Shrubs thickly grown all along the route. Human habitation is scarcely visible. Flocks of sheep and herds of cattle were found grazing freely on the grassy plains presenting a view of absolute freedom uninterrupted by human presence. In Scotland the weather is quite windy and very cold when compared with that of the lower south. As we went up the ghat road it became more pronounced. As our car went up the slope of Bemersyde hill, we caught a very fascinating view of the valley of the river Tweed, a gentle stream flowing through green slopes studded with trees and jagged stones. The low-peaked Eildon hills are seen at a short distance. The point from where we had this beautiful scenic view is called “Scott’s View”. The famous Scottish author, Sir Walter Scott, used to stop at this point while he was on his way to his native village, Abbotsford to get a glimpse of the Scottish borders with distant Eildon hills forming a backdrop to the river Tweed streaming through sylvan valley. Every visitor stops here and takes a photo of this picturesque scenery. In 1832 when Scott’s funeral procession went by this way, it was said that the horses drawing the funeral carriage of Sir Walter Scott, stopped here as if to give a chance to their master to have a last glimpse of his favorite spot. Sir Walter Scott was buried in Dryburgh Abbey, just a few kilometers away from this place.

  View of Tweed River

 The Tweed River 

 In Scotland has many castles and abbeys were built which served as bastions of protection to face the onslaught of English monarchs in various ages . When we heard of our visit to Scottish abbeys, we did not show much interest as we thought that they might be churches with traditional rooms and prayer halls. But this visit gave us at least an idea about the faded glory of these magnificent mansions spreading over  many acres of land with all facilities akin to a self-contained township. Most of these abbeys especially in medieval ages, enjoyed royal privileges with huge income collected as tax and tithes from neighboring villages. The abbot was the head of an abbey assisted by monks, Dean and Prior in religious and general administration. An abbey comprised many rooms and halls for various purposes to cater to the needs of monks and lay people.  The abbey serves as a shelter for travelers  when there were no lodging  houses. The monks in the abbey also performed many works of charity like feeding the poor invalids and orphans. They also helped in nursing the destitute and sick persons disabled by age and diseases. As a center of learning the abbey imparted education and training to people who  wish to enter the church and also to those who wish to enter various other worldly careers of their choice. The abbey also preserved works of classical authors and religious writers and engaged scribes to copy or translate the rare manuscripts of eminent writers so as to pass them to posterity.

 The novices and monks had a rigorous schedule at the abbey.They had to get up at 3.00 am 

and spend most of their time in praying and in studying scriptures. They had to work in the garden, cook food and attend to other domestic chores. Their food was very simple only with two dishes and they had to sleep on mattresses without any comfort of couches to lie on.  There was no fireplace to warm their chambers except in kitchen, in infirmary (room for sick patients) and in Calefactory (Warming house). Every abbey was surrounded by a high wall and a ditch as a means of protection against invaders. Thus the abbey served as a shelter not only to spread religious and spiritual awareness but also to render service and provide help and necessary training in various professions  to the people.Generally kings and lords used to give liberal donations for the maintenance and upkeep of this sacred institution.  With the advent of  Reformation  many abbeys fell into disuse and lost their glory and the remaining members had to yield to the new reforms just to protect their abbeys. These ruined structures  seem to convey how the clash of beliefs and national rivalries take a heavy toll in disrupting the harmonious social fabric and the religious institutions as well.
          
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            30th January, 2014                                                                    Somaseshu Gutala         

ALL SOULS' DAY (Poem--II)

 










                                1)            Behold once more the lovely glow

                                        Upon these sleeping marble squares

                                        As veiled fog spreads her curtains slow

                                        A blissful state from worldly cares.

                        2)            In November’s cool wind , one hears

                                       The tread of kith and kin, who pray

                                       Before their near and dear with tears

                                       A solemn state with sighs convey.

                        3)          The preacher reads the Holy Book

                                      Before the sleeping sacred souls

                                      Whose joy in whispering breezes shook

                                      The leaves around as church bell tolls.

                       4)           The tombs fresh-painted shine in light

                                     Amidst heaped roses with fragrance bright

                                     With candles and burning scented joss

                                     Around the graves and many a cross.

                       5)          Their voices mingle with unheard tones

                                    Of ancestors in whispered moans;

                                    A communion betwixt the living and dead

                                    Like earth and heaven in glory wed.

                      6)          With tears and smiles they kneel and bow

                                   With grateful hearts they pray to show

                                   Their earnest love with melting ease

                                   For those who sleep in God with peace.

                    7)           Suffused with choric melodies sweet

                                  Under the jeweled rows of starry lights

                                  The souls do bless their kin with dumb delight

                                  Like gods invoked from heavenly heights.

                    8)          All Souls’ Day – an occasion dear

                                 To feel our dear ancestors near

                                 To feel the golden days of past

                                 The precious memories not yet lost.

                                ***************************

                               ++++++++++++++++++++++++++

                     

                24th January, 2014                                              Somaseshu Gutala  

      

ALL SOULS' DAY (Poem-I)

       













                                                          ALL SOULS' DAY (POEM--I)

                                                 The dark graveyard became a sparkling scene
                                                 Festooned with colored bulbs and flowery sheen
                                                 Whitewashed in moonlight soft, the sepulchers shine
                                                 Sweet memories swell in rapturous hymns divine
                                                 The pastor's voice in solemn notes did sound
                                                 A sigh of relief did heave from every mound:
                                                 The crowded kith and kin with reverence share
                                                 Their moments past with philosophic air
                                                 A humble tribute to their ancestors dead
                                                 Who in God's lap taste spiritual bread;
                                                 An occasion to link ourselves anew
                                                 With cherished faces erased from our view.

                                                       +++++++++++++++++++++++++
                                                        ***************************

            23-12-2013                                                                            SOMASESHU GUTALA


                                              A Brief Note on ALL Souls' Day :


  In every culture and civilization due respect and importance is shown towards ancestors  who passed on their values and characteristics to us  and whose blessings are needed for  the existing generation. In Rome a festival called “Feralia” was held to honor the dead in February year. In Indian tradition a whole fortnight in the month of October is devoted to show reverence and do charitable works in memory of the ancestral souls. During this period marriages and other happy events are not held. People lead a simple and pious life offering libations and rice balls to the manes of their forefathers. In Christian tradition this kind of honoring the ancestors is seen right from the seventh century when Mass was conducted on the day after the Pentecost by the monks in memory of their deceased brethren. The Benedictine monk abbot Odillo (962-1048) in 998 A.D. designated Nov.2 as a day for the monks of Clony to pray for the souls in Purgatory. This custom gradually spread throughout France by the end of the tenth century. This custom was followed by all Catholic monasteries by the end of the thirteen century. The purpose behind this ceremony is to cleanse and make fit the souls in purgatory to enter the abode of heaven. Conventions like ringing of bells, sharing of soul-cakes, lighting candles, pouring holy water and decorating the graves with flowers, and offering prayers are observed to give peace and pray for the blessings of the Lord towards  suffering souls. There is a church yard just beside the road that leads to my residence. The deserted Churchyard in a gloomy corner suddenly ,one day, wore a festive look with bright lamps, bouquets, cakes and neatly dressed people singing songs accompanied by music. Those dismal tombs came alive and seemed to warm up by the pious and devotional atmosphere breathing sweet incense and music.  My heart was very much moved on seeing that grand spectacle which really seemed to me “ the Commemoration of the departed “ beloved souls.

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