At Grasmere

Dove Cottage

Dove Cottage

Grasmere is a small village located amidst green sloping plains and many lakes. The distance from Windermere to Grassmere is just ten miles. The road wound through an array of dense greenery and spacious pastures where flocks of sheep and herds of cattle were grazing. The houses looked very simple and small with stone-built  construction and gabled roofs. No busy crowds and no rushing vehicles. We found Scottish wilderness and sylvan surroundings here also as this place was just a few miles away from the Scottish border. At first we made our way to St.Oswald's Church where we could see the family graves of Wordsworth. None was seen inside the church as we reached there a little bit early. A bundle of books and pamphlets were seen neatly stacked in rows. I thought about the renowned poet who used to frequent this place and who planted eight yew trees in the churchyard premises. In the shade of one of these yew trees we saw the the tombs of the poet and his wife, Mary Hutchinson. Nearby we saw the graves of his sister, Dorothy, and his children, Dora,William,Thomas and Catherine along with Mary's sister, Sarah Hutchinson. This church is named after St. Oswald, a Northumbrian King, of 7th century A.D., who had preached on this site. Every year on the first Saturday nearest to St.Oswald's Day(5th August), the floor of the church was covered with rushes(Leaves), a custom started when the floor of the church was made of earth. In 1841 the floor was covered with stone slabs.The church built in 13th century appeared strong and solemn with serene atmosphere and greenery.The poet selected a beautiful spot for his final resting place, I thought.

Inner view of St.Oswald Church

The Family Graves of William Wordsworth

 Next we went to "Dove Cottage" the first dwelling place of William Wordsworth from 1799 to 1808. The cottage was located in the scenic surroundings with a spacious backyard. The custodian was an aged lady who spoke eloquently about Wordsworth and his family. When I introduced my self as a student of literature, she felt very much excited and complimented me about my knowledge of the great poet though I spoke very little about his poetry. After a period of disillusionment, William Wordsworth left London and selected this place where he found domestic bliss and much inspiration to compose many of his famous lyrics and poems like"Daffodils", "Ode to Duty", "Intimations of Immortality"and 'When my heart leaps Up" etc. Originally this cottage used to be an inn called "The Dove and the Olive" started in 1617 and later was closed in 1793. William Wordsworth took it on rent from John Benson of Grasmere paying five pounds a year.Dorothy wrote her "The Grasmere Journal", a diary during her stay here. She began writing this journal in May 1800 and kept her record of the journal almost for three years just to preserve the happy and memorable events for her brother to read and enjoy. Earlier she wrote Alfoxden Journal during 1797-98 when her brother and she were near the residence of Coleridge in Somerset. Now a part of that journal is available. In these journals she vividly described places and people they happened to meet along with realistic descriptions of natural scenes and objects. Many of her topics later became material for inspiring the poet to write his famous poems like "The Daffodils" and "The Leech Gatherer" etc.

    There are four rooms on the ground floor.--a drawing and dining  room, a bed room, a kitchen and a store room covered  with oak panels and stone slabs. In the upstairs there were four rooms -- one as Wordsworth's study room, and the remaining as bed rooms. Water had to be carried over from a nearby well. William and Dorothy took keen interest in tending the garden in the backyard without disturbing their wild appearance. There was a shaded shelter on the mound where Wordsworth used to sit with sage-like contemplation and  compose poetry. Dorothy wrote her well-known journal " Grasmere Journal"(1897) during her stay here. Many friends of the poet like S.T.Coleridge, De Quincey, Walter Scott, Charles Lamb and Mary Lamb used to come and spend their time in the company of the learned seer and votary of Nature. Wordsworth's first three children, John(1803), Dora(1804) and Thomas(1806) were born here. This cottage though pretty, could not accommodate so many persons. So Wordsworth moved first to Allan Bank in 1808 but did not like it much. In 1813 he shifted his family to "Rydal Mount", his final place of residence from 1813 to 1859, until  Mary Hutchinson's death. Thomas De Quincey, the famous author of "Confessions of an opium-eater" occupied this cottage after Wordsworth left this place.and stayed here till 1835. In 1890  The Wordsworth Trust under  the supervision of Reverend Stopford Brooke, bought this cottage for 650 pounds. In Dove's Cottage we can see the portraits of Wordsworth, Coleridge and Dorothy.

A Visit to Lake District

Scene of sheep on the pasture

Way to Windermere

     I was told that most people in England would like to spend their holidays in the countryside enjoying country pleasures in stead of idling their time in busy cities crowded with malls and big restaurants. Of course there is a change in the attitude of modern youth who like more noise, crowded places, intoxicating luxuries and sophisticated city life styles. We planned to visit Wordsworth's famous residence "Dove Cottage" and  'Rydal Mount", both located in thebeautiful valley of Grassmere in the Lake District of Cumberland region. We have taken ourlodgings in the nearby town "Windermere" just ten miles before our destination. This town hasits own tourist attractions like rock climbing, cruising, fabulous gardens and woodlands.

Windermere Town

  We went by car through beautiful valleys surrounded by low-topped hills filled with dense 
growth of trees. An entire world of green with no human habitation is seen all along the way
here and there a small farm house nestled in the middle of sloping pastures where white
fluffy sheep were grazing to their belly's content without caring to look at us--so totally 
absorbed in their gastronomic orgies! The road before was so smooth that we had not felt 
any sense of tiredness at all during our long drive from Edinburgh in the hot afternoon heat.
In some places there were steep descending paths with curved bends. We drove through 
dense woods with small bridges here and there on mountain streams. The entrance to 
Windermere was through narrow paths flanked by plain stone-built houses without any
showy coat of plaster or whitewash. They looked quite rustic and simple in structure without
any beautification of color or design.The cluster of chimneys over tiled roofs seemed to be 
the common feature of every English home.In Windermere, obviously a tourist place in 
Lake District, most of the householders provide lodging and breakfast facilities to visitors.
This would fetch them a sizable income during summer and even up to October, the begin-
ning of autumn.  

 Our room was very compact with a low roof reminding me the room in upstairs at Statford-
upon-Avon.The difference is only in having modern comforts like gas, electricity and shower
Our host , a tall English gentleman in seventies, welcomed us with professional warmth and
assured us that all things were easily accessible in that town. He managed eight rooms 
attending to the needs of guests assisted now and then by his aged wife. We could not but
appreciate his diligent nature without showing any signs of vexation or boredom. He 
profusely thanked me when I gifted him a slender volume of my poems. He kept bundles of 
pamphlets on a book shelf to help the tourists with requisite information about the Lake District.

   












  Though Windermere is a small town, it has all facilities to help tourists. There are many res- taurants offering different varieties of meals like Italian, Chinese, Thai, Indian, English and the country type delicacies like Cornish pastries and Ginger bread. We enjoyed the river  cruise on the Windermere Lake, one of the largest lakes in England. As we sailed round, we  saw the distant mansions, small cottages and small boats moored near the bank. Some young couples were rowing with gusto and waving at others with vibrant mirth. Some people were  ready with fishing  rods and nets to go on with their sport of fishing in the waters.Some couples were enjoying their coffee while their children were shouting with innocent bliss, munching candies and sweets.


 

Beatrice Potter's Museum

Peter Rabbit

  In Windermere we also visited some shops where one could find books and tourist guides
providing a wealth of information on various lakes and neighbouring country houses. There
were two or three cine theaters showing not so much popular movies. The theaters without
much decoration almost looked like houses. Another place worth visiting is Beatrice Potter's
House. Beatrice Potter(1866-1943) was an eminent short story writer of children's stories 
 who became famous with her book"The Tale of Peter Rabbit Series"in 1902. She published
twenty-three books introducing many characters  like Peter Rabbit, squirrels, mice and other tiny creatures with bushy tails. As a fervent student of Natural history she tried to improve the methods  in breeding of Herdwick sheep of the Cumberland region. As a conservationist 
she donated four thousand acres of land in the Lake District to the National Trust. As we  
have not much time,we were not able to visit this museum. So I have not much to say except
that the pretty doll house is picturesque and amusing especially to children.

                                          *****************************
     September 24, 2013.                                                             Somaseshu Gutala                                                                                             

 
 
 

A Visit to Milton's Cottage at Chalfont St.Giles

  

Milton's Bust In the Backyard Garden

Milton's Cottage at Chalfont St.Giles

The Bust of John Milton In the window

John Milton (1608--1673)

  Next to Shakespeare, John Milton won world-wide acclaim as the greatest poet. His   epic poem " Paradise Lost" is the product of his voluminous learning and total dedication and made England assert her own  place in the realm of epic poetry on par with that of Greece and Italy. One would  not find words to appreciate the fortitude and immense sense of dedication of Milton  who had taken up this  most arduous  task after he became totally blind and had been in the most trying circumstances deprived of every means of support and motivation..

 I was fortunate enough to see the only existing cottage where Milton had spent a few  months and where  he undertook the completion of his famous epic. The cottage was located in the interior part of a typical English village called Chalfont St. Giles in Buckingham shire. From Sunbury-on-Thames, we traveled through a main way with leafy branches arching above, which gave a panoramic view through dark woods just like our erstwhile journey through woods to Studley Castle(a big hotel) a few days ago.

 At last we located our destination when we saw a wooden signboard "Milton's Cottage". When we gently knocked at the door, the custodian. a tall old gentleman, welcomed us with a beaming smile on  his face. There were a few visitors inside. He asked us to look at the signatures of the royal family  members who had visited the cottage and extended their support. Queen Victoria donated twenty pounds as Jubilee Fund in 1887. In 1934 Elizabeth, the Queen-Mother, visited this cottage and made a public appeal for the restoration of the cottage. After restoration, this cottage was opened by the Duke of Glouscester. Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, paid a visit on 14th July, 1987 to commemorate the Centenary Celebrations of the Milton Cottage Trust.

 In the cottage we saw a small room at the entrance leading to a big room which serves as a drawing room and as dining room as well. A little to the left there was a kitchen. Behind the drawing room there was a study room where Milton used to sit and dictate poetry to his daughters.There was a high-backed wooden chair called Milton's chair used by the great poet during his stay here. In the middle of the room we saw a voluminous 17th century old edition of Milton's poems and writings. On the wall we saw a framed copy of the Royal Proclamation of  Charles II ordering Milton's pamphlets to be burnt in public on the charge of his anti-Royalist views. There was another old document neatly framed wherein we found the signatures and thumb impressions of the people who supported the Republican cause and later most of whom were tried, imprisoned or exiled and were deprived of properties. A receipt signed by Milton's last wife Elizabeth Mynshull , was seen in the frame hung from the wall. Though these papers may seem to be common,  they are rare collections which take us back to those tumultuous times and remind us how people in defence of principles sacrificed their valuable belongings and staked even their precious lives. Milton had served as Latin Secretary to the Republican Leader, Oliver Cromwell, and was later imprisoned for his rebellious  writings against the king. Just because of his old age and blind condition his life was spared when his contemporary and friend Andrew Marvell intervened and obtained an order of remission from the Parliament.

 The bust of Milton was seen in the window along with portraits of the poet done by various artist The books written by contemporary Quakers of the neighborhood were also kept in another room along with other collections. Milton's Prose works and political pamphlets were also displayed there. The autobiography of Charles Ellwood, Milton's Latin disciple and a Quaker by faith,was another important document . In that book Charles Ellwood narrated how after going through the manuscript of the book"Paradise Lost"(Published in 1667), he asked Milton what the author had to say about the Paradise found. This query  made Milton compose another small epic "Paradise Regained"(published in 1671).

Milton's cottage was opened to the public as a reading room in 1887. Later it was converted as a museum to protect the precious relics and documents connected with the life of the great poet. In the backyard there was a spacious garden with different varieties of plants,herbs and flowers,  the names of which were mentioned by the poet in his lyrics and poems.Under a shady arbor, a  marble bust of the epic poet was erected as if to gratify the poetic soul with the fresh vernal gifts of Nature glorified by him in his beautiful lyrics like"Lallegro", "Il Penseroso" and "Comus".At one   place there is a water fountain surrounded by bushes. The lines from Lycidas (The pastoral elegy    written by  Milton to mourn the death of hid friend Edward King) "weep no more shepherds, for thy  gentle comrade Lycidas is not dead" were labelled there, indirectly suggesting the eternal life of the  immortal poet, Milton, "The organ voice of England."

The custodian kept a few books and some pamphlets giving information about Milton's life. On enquiry he informed us that John Milton, who spent most part of his life near Bunhill Fields in London, came to Chalfont St.Giles in 1665 just to escape from the dread of plague raging in that year. His Latin student,Thomas Ellwood , suggested this cottage which was owned by Colonel George Fleetwood. Having been deprived of the support of his Republican friends and his position as Latin Secretary to Oliver Cromwell, the poet devoted himself entirely to complete his epic "Paradise Lost" which he had earlier planned to write as a drama. His stay at this place also incidentally became a cause for taking up the Paradise Regained" a sequel to his magnum Opus "Paradise Lost".

Thus ended our memorable trip to Milton's cottage which gave us some idea about the surroundings and living conditions of the poet who fought bravely against all odds to accomplish his poetic mission as a champion of freedom and stood by his principles both in politics and in religion as well, with his unshakable faith in divine providence.

  

 Sep.11th 2013.                                                                              Somaseshu Gutala

      

Two Star Attractions of London

London River Cruise

A View of Thames

                    

London Eye

               
 


       



                                                          Inside view of the Capsule

  To get a bird's eye view of London, nothing is more convenient and comfortable than to sit in the   London Eye--a very appropriate name given to the 443 feet high observation giant wheel on the sou   bank of London erected in 2000 as a part of London's Millennium Celebrations. It has thirty-two cages or capsules with glass walls on four sides and each accommodating nearly twenty people It moves so slowly (the wheel moves at ten inches per second i.e 9 Km per hour) that one does not get any nervous feeling of being rotated at a fast speed. It takes nearly thirty minutes to view different locations from a level  such as the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, St.Paul's Cathedral,Shell Tower, Tower  Bridge and Waterloo Station.Many people took photos of the distant view  of London with tall towers, churches, museums and gardens and office buildings.One can watch the city within a range of 25 miles all directions. We were also shown a 4-D documentary film viewing London from the wheel along with some city amusements performed by various ethnic groups before we proceeded to board the wheel.

 Another unforgettable experience is the London River Cruise from Westminster to London Station
 to and  fro.The Cruise Boat was very neat with comfortable seats. A guide gave a running commentary on the various sites and monuments seen on both sides of the banks of the river Thames as we were sailing along.We saw the various bridges, cathedrals, towers and well-known office buildings.She also gave some brief information about Southwark area where Shakespeare's Globe Theater was seen with some old taverns and  inns, the favourite haunts of the poet in those times. She also cracked some jokes but she spoke too  fast for us to understand her humorous remarks. We rounded of Our weekend trip to London with a  refreshing cup of coffee and exotic snacks.

                                                                                                     
  September 3rd, 2013                                                                             Somaseshu Gutala
          

A Secret Retreat

                                1)       Not famous like the Angel or Victoria falls
                                          Or of far-famed Niagara from lofty heights
                                          Not many know its name, and none recall
                                          In far interior woods, the path not straight--
                                          We ventured to search for the gushing sight
                                          Of silvery sheets of foaming delight.

                               2)        We went through crooked winding ways
                                          Gigantic trees with wide-spread branches made it dim
                                          Whither we go--a dark mysterious place
                                          Not a soul seen, the surroundings grim
                                          Through groves of silver oak and sandal wood
                                          We smelled faint fragrance as we moved.

                              3)         Abundant spicy creepers seen
                                          Of cloves,pepper and herbs so sweet
                                          In mid noon, nightly darkness seen
                                          No sound of bird or beast, no pricking heat
                                          As if in subterranean worlds we lost 
                                          No trace of gurgling water but dark jungle vast.. 
                                                                   
                              4)        A rugged path with twists and turns so hard
                                         Rough rocking jolts-- a risky ride
                                         We can't go back , we dared forward
                                       " Don't move onward " some strangers cried
                                         Too rough to scale--this thorny pathless wood
                                         Better go back--leave it for good.

                             5)        Still doubting we moved with defiant will
                                        Like ghosts through darker worlds in search of prey
                                        An abysmal ravine choked with shrubs and thistle
                                        Made us pause in stony silence and stay---
                                        Not to turn back with a sense of defeat
                                        Let us explore whatever comes or danger greet.
                         
                           6)         Through rocky boulders steep we made our way.
                                        Holding the stumps of twisted shrubs and trees
                                        Tightening our foothold along the slippery clay
                                        Bearing the brunt of stinging thorns and weeds
                                        To sink to the bottom-most ravine with care
                                        A distant rumble of stream we heard somewhere.

                          7)          Some merry sounds and shouts our gaze did draw
                                       Our goal so near -- we sighed with relief
                                       A cluster of  black rocky flats we saw;
                                       Like chains of swelling pearls from lofty cliffs
                                       Behold the leaping spouts of water there!
                                       From unknown heights with vibrant mirth somewhere.

                          8)         The ice-cool swirling torrent touched our feet
                                      This unexplored haven not so easily found
                                      Amidst green cover of wild trees this sweet retreat
                                      After laborious search through bushy uneven ground
                                      Far from the reach of common grassy plain
                                      With meandering paths this rocky terrain.

                        9)           As pure as Pierian  spring within these  forests deep
                                      A surprising picturesque waterfall
                                      A precious gem of Nature amidst mountains steep
                                      The surge of freedom untrammeled by artificial walls
                                      We made our way onward with rapturous delight
                                      No flashing lens can catch this charming sight!


                    10)            In saintly silence of the moon-lit night
                                     A mystic murmur echoes with cheerful beams
                                     What spirits or angels revel with fluttering delight!
                                     What aerial bodies perfume those silver streams!
                                     An awesome sight for common mortals to guess
                                     The charms of gloomy night in such a lonely place.

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

                             August 26th 2013.                                                         Gutala  Somaseshu

                      References:
                         a) Angel Waterfalls -- The world's highest waterfall located in Venezuela.
                                                            Its height is 3,212 ft. (979 meters)
                        b) Victoria Waterfalls -- Located on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe
                                                              Its height is 355 ft.(108 meters)
                      c) Niagara Waterfalls--  Located between the Canadian Province of Ontario and
                                                             New York State. Its height is 167 feet (51 meters)
                    d) Pierian Spring    ---  The famous water spring in Thessaly, said to be the abode                                                                     of the sacred Muses, goddesses of Knowledge.
                                                                  
                                                           

    
                                     

                       


                                         

   

TSUNAMI FROM SNOWY HILLs

The plight of stranded pilgrims

The destructive floods

Ravaged surroundings in front of the kedarnath temple

   

The raging Ganges near Rishikesh

                                                            



           

1.            1)    In large numbers the pilgrims struggled hard
2.                   An arduous climb to see their beloved Lord
3.                   The old borne in sedans--a sturdy task:
4.                 In unforeseen weather changing fast;
5.                   A warm sun now, and next a stormy blast;
6.                   The roaring river burst through rugged rocks.
7. 
   
8.            2)     Unmindful of weather, this ill-fated journey
9.                    No warning given-- all think of money:
10.                    The icy lakes leaped forth like monsters dread
11.                    From snowy mountains with hellish fury
12.                    Sparing none, not even a roof or tree
13.                    A huge expanse of muddy waters spread.
14. 
    
15.            3)     Like rolling pebbles, houses dragged by tide
16.                    In thousands pilgrims sank and cried
17.                    Like sinking ships in dreadful Charybdis
18.                    A huge avalanche of mud swallowed
19.                    Whole buses with pilgrims tumbled and bellowed
20.                    Drowned in gigantic mound of slush and debris.
21. 
    
22.             4)    Buried under the tidal blast in a flash
23.                    As all dwellings at once did crash
24.                    Whole families cut off by deadly waves
25.                    The temple echoed with loud piercing cries
26.                    All submerged under debris in a trice
27.                    Nothing remained and none to save.
28. 
    
29.             5)    Deprived of food and drink, frozen with cold
30.                    Wading through mire of sufferings untold
31.                    The pilgrims ran for their lives to hilly tops and cried
32.                    Losing all goods except their bodies bare
33.                    No help in sight to save them from rocky slides
34.                    From jaws of death engulfing everywhere.
35. 
    
36.             6)   Looted by vendors, the pilgrims wept
37.                   Hounded by deceit and cruel theft
38.                   Tottering through dead bodies they went
39.                   So many died famished with dry parched lips
40.                   None gave them water at least to sip
41.                   Others moved forth dying each and every moment.
42. 
    
43.           7)     Through rocks and pits they had to tread
44.                   Through vast desert of countless dead
45.                   No trivial clue to find their near and dear
46.                   In freezing cold begging for water and bread
47.                   Pierced by fangs of poverty they bled
48.                   No helping hand approached to wipe their tears.
49. 
    
50.          8)     Help came too slow to starving souls
51.                  Ill-planned confusion: no clear goal:
52.                  The choppers flew, too few to clear
53.                  The running pilgrims with languishing eyes
54.                  The weak and old pushed back by greedy guys
55.                  Thousands left behind with streaming tears.
56. 
    
57.          9)     In midst of this dire torrential doom
58.                  In dusky chambers of silent gloom
59.                  Dweller of Burial Ground, the mighty Lord
60.                  Unshaken dwelt in meditative mood
61.                  Steadfast Nature's powers withstood
62.                  In deep penance unperturbed by raging discord.
63. 
    
64.       10)     Who can uproot Thee, All-Pervading Lord?
65.                  Maker of million Spheres with Thy nod:
66.                  Thou, radiant Glow above this earthly cage!
67.                  Thy temple too withstood the rushing onslaught
68.                  Of rolling rocks in muddy deluge fraught.
69.                  Why Death razed so many before Thy gaze!
70. 
    
71.       11)      Though Death had taken a heavy toll
72.                  Untouched by her destructive role
73.                  Thou Lord of Kedar, stay in placid state
74.                  As pilgrims' bodies lie like faded flowers
75.                  Amidst the broken homes and fallen towers.
76.                  Can't You behold, Oh Lord! their wretched state!
77. 
    
78.       12)       The Sacred Bull before Thee Knelt so firm and calm
79.                   With faith profound in majestic form
80.                   None can explain Thy acts, a mystic maze:
81.                   This sacred place, now, turned a burial ground
82.                   A ghastly sight of corpses strewn around:
83.                   Protect thy devotees,this vast disaster assuage:
84.       
85.      13)       Why such dire punishment? What have they done?
86.                   A tremendous shock to thousands that none
87.                   Can withstand or relieve this stunning blow;
88.                   Deprived of wealth and losing all their near and dear
89.                   Poor survivors struggled with utmost shocking fear:
90.                   Oh Lord! Protect them now, Thy mercy show!
91. 
    
92.     14)         Is it Nature's response to pollution?
93.                   Men ruined rivers with devilish ambition
94.                   A heinous crime deprived of vision!
95.                   Murdering forests and harmless cliffs
96.                   Not sparing wild life with destructive grip
97.                   God's gifts with vile misdeeds undone!
98. 
    
99.     15)         Let us not doom ourselves with devilish greed
100.                   Exploiting Nature with selfish deeds:
101.                   Once Nature ruined, no redeeming cure:
102.                   Let us leave rivers,woods and mountains free
103.                   Let us maintain their status pure:
104.                   Feel for every creature and find divinity.
105. 
     
106.            ( Dedicated to the Lord Of Kedarnath with humble devotion)
107.                                     ******************************
108.                                                                                                                                                                        
109.         August 1st 2013                                   Gutala Somaseshu
110. 
     
111.          Reference: Charybdis-- In the Odyssey, a monster that 
112.                             swallowed sailors travelling in ships. It is also
113.                             a whirlpool on the Sicilian side in the straits of Messina.
114.                             
115.        Note: Kedarnath is one of the most famous temples dedicated to Lord Shiva located in the Himalayan valley at a height of 11,755 ft. on the banks of the river Mandakini, a tributary of the Ganges. The great spiritual teacher Sri Adi Shankara renovated the temple  in eighth century. He attained siddhi or final liberation here only. The  construction of too many hydel projects, buildings and roads with so many tunnels and deforestation resulted in huge land slides and flooding of lakes,destroying so many lives and causing enormous damage to property and projects on the fateful day, June16th,2013.
116. Yet the temple remained in tact in midst of tons of debris and massive boulders. In the name of modernization these holy places only suitable for simple life and pious living are converted into busy crowded areas without any regulation and planned organisation. Only people should be allowed in limited numbers just to have Darshan and not to indulge in luxuries or treat this as a holiday trip.
117.  We should bear in mind that in the name of development we have no right to disturb the serenity or meddle with ecological balance putting at stake so many lives including flora and fauna.
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MY VISIT TO TEMPLES IN U.S.

Sai Baba Temple, Kifer Road

                                                  

During my stay in U.S.I had the opportunity of visiting some temples in the neighborhood. When  I compared those religious centers with those in India, I did not find much difference except in matters like better organi zation,amenities and hygienic surroundings.For NRIs, these temples serve as places to recharge and sustain their interest in Indian tradition, culture and conventions.In spite of busy routine many people take off some time to visit temples to derive spiritual satisfaction and some relief from stress and strain. In many temples language classes, reciting hymns and Vedic mantras along with religious discourses and training programs are organized so that young people and children may learn about moral and ethical values that are not much taught in ordinary class rooms.Many people serve as volunteers and organize social service activities, festive celebrations bhajans and charity works.As these people are far away from their native land,they show more attention and care in participating in the activities of the temples.

I often used to go to Sai Baba Temple on Kaifer Road in Sunnyvale. which has been managed by Shirdi Sai Parivar since 2007.This non-profit volunteer-based organization is dedicated to spread of the teachings of Shirdi Sai Baba and motivating the members to involve themselves in cultivating devotion to God and contributing their mite in helping the poor and needy. Bhajans,religious programs,aarti and distribution of prasadam (Food offered to God) are done with  devotion and discipline. Just six miles away from Sunnyvale, the same organization established another Sai Mandir with permanent constructed building in 2010. In both these  temples religious rites and ceremonies are performed as done in Shirdi. Special poojas are done on Thursdays and festival days.Apart from religious programs, charitable works like disribution of food to the poor and conducting health camps are organized by the volunteers.The volunteers themselves will do worship and we do not find any priest employed to do this religious duty.

Idols of Satyanarayana Swamy

                                                                                          

Another temple I visited two or three times is the "Milipitas Satyanarayana Swami Temple", quite near to Sai Baba Mandir. This temple was set up in the present building by VEDA(Vedic Education and Devotional Academy) in 2010.When I visited this temple,developmental works were going on. Now this temple is in full shape with sanctum and other rooms. Along with main presiding deity one can have darshan of other Hindu deities like Durga, Shiva, Vinayaka, Murugan, Hanuman and Saraswati.The priests in the temple are well-trained Vedic scholars and perform all kinds of ritual and poojas. On every full moonday Satyanarayana Vratham is performed by many devotees here.I had also the chance of listening to Swami China Jeeyar's lecture on the significance and spiritual implications behind idol worship. In this temple special classes are conducted to teach Pooja Vidhi (procedure of worshipping gods) and Vedic Suktas(hymns).

Baps Swaminarayan temple, milipitas

 Inner Sanctum

One more temple with a wider range of activities is the BAPS(Bochanvasi Shree Akshar Purushothamtham Samstha)Swami Narayan Temple in Milipitas.As you probably know systematic management and discipline are seen here as in other Swami Narayan Temples elsewhere. The idols of Radha and Krishna, Durga,Balaji,Sita Rama,Hanuman,Shiva Parvathi, Guru Parampara and that of Swami Narayana made of costly marble and decked in dazzling gold attract our attention.The main idea in establishing this temple is to popularize and sustain the ideals and preachings of Swami Narayana cult. This temple is managed by BAPS, a religious organisation started in Milipitas in 1990s. Shantilal,a devotee of Swami  Narayan and an immigrant from Kenya took keen interest and purchased the existing building with the co-operation of other devotees from Overseas Crusades Ministries in 1991.On the first floor of the building we can see the holy shrine,priests' quarters and dining hall.On the second floor library hall and rooms for conducting classes and for cultural activities and conferences are seen. In the gift store, many religious books,children's story books herbal products and items used in worship are seen.The BAPS Organization conducts many educational and social service programs here.This temple's activities are funded by the main temple headquarters based in New York.

Sahasra Ligam in Mahakaleshwara Mandir,
Santa Clara

Kalikambal Idol

The Mahakaleswara Temple in Santa Clara has the unique privilege of having the first huge and massive six  foot Sahasra Shiva Lingam (A Shiva Lingam with one thousand,one hundred and  sixteen lingams carved around it made of black granite and weighing about 300 lbs. Here you also see  the first Jyothirlingam set up in the whole  of the U.S. on 28th August,2010 by Swami Sathasivam , the Head Priest of Kalikambal Temple of Chennai from India. Along with Lord Shiva, the idol of Mahakali is also seen.  Abhishekam for Mahakali is done every Saturday and for Shiva on every Sunday respectively.In this temple free Yoga classes and free training in  Vedic chanting are conducted regularly. There is a separate medi-tation hall for devotees to sit and pray silently. This temple is managed by Sambasadashiva Vidya Peetham, a non-profit religious organization.

Sri Krishna and Balarama  in the holy shrine

\

Idol Of Srila Prabhu Pada

    

   

Sri Krishna Balarama temple at Reamwood Ave, Sunnyvale was established on 29th October, 2011 by Indian Heritage Foundation with the noble intention of spreading devotion to God and teaching great Indian religious classics like " the Bhagavat Gita"and" Srimad Bhagavatham." Based on the Vaishnavite philosophy of Sri A.C.Bhakti Vedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, the most revered founder of Iskon Society. This temple organization is actively involved in catering to the spiritual and cultural needs of all the people  irrespective of race and creed. Situated in a spacious area near the vicinity of Sunnyvale many devotees visit this temple.The beautiful marble statues of Sri Krishna and His brother Sri Balaram , decked with ornaments  and colorful garlands and standing in graceful pose convey the message of brotherly love and affection. The pictures of Lord Balaji and Lord Narasimha reveal the benign and powerful aspects of the divine Lord. The statues of Sri Gaura Nitai and Srila Prabhupada reveal the greatness of Bhakti philosophy and the efficacy of chanting the name of God(Lord Sri Krishna), who promised His grace to all creatures who come to him with a sense of total surrender without bothering about the results of their karmas (deeds done in this mundane world). In this temple many activities like Bhajans, Kirtans, chanting Vishnu Sahasranama, Nagara Sankeerthana (moving around in streets singing Lord's names)  and conducting Sunday School for children and organizing feasts for all devotees and free distribution of religious books on every Saturday evening are done. The noble task of free distribution of religious and Vedic literature to all is to be emulated by other  other temples also since even highly educated people of modern times have lost touch with our noble heritage and religious classics. It is one of the ways of  imparting moral education and helps in gradual transformation of the individual.In collaboration with Big Animation Private Ltd. India Heritage Foundation also produced a series of Animation Video Stories about the life and adventures of divine child, Bala Krishna. In the gift store one can find many books concerned with philosophy and epics, pictures, photos, beautiful idols and Pooja material( items used in daily worship of God). 

Two temples a little distant from Sunnyvale are the famous Shiva-Vishnu Temple in Livermore(28 miles from Sunnyvale) and the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple at Gilroy.(nearly forty two miles). The temple in Livermore is a very spacious temple with a regular round of rituals and religious activities.Constructed in South Indian style, this temple attracts a large number of devotees. One can see the atmosphere of a typical Indian temple here with crowded devotees and loud chanting of Vedic hymns. In clear contrast to this busy place, nestled in the sylvan valley of Mt. Maddonna hill, the Gilroy temple is a sight to visit with calm surroundings and hermitage-like simple structure. Far away from the city this temple along with small cottages and Yoga Training center and Ayurvedic College draws many tourists to spend some time here to experience the essence of true inner tranquility and rejuvenation of their physical and mental health This temple is managed by Hanuman Fellowship a religious organization based in California since 1974.

Before concluding  I would like to brief the main features of the temples I visited in U.S. which may set an example for other temples in India in providing and improving facilities.In most of the temples in U.S. parking facilities , shoes stand, cloak rooms and rest rooms are provided free of cost and maintained very neatly. In every temple a regular schedule is followed and the list of activities and services undertaken are clearly displayed on the notice board. Clear directions are marked on sign posts and volunteers are there to help the visitors. There is no scope for brokers and middlemen to exploit tourists by promising them quick darshan and special privileges. In every temple volunteers help in guiding the visitors,in decoration,in preparing prasadam and in distribution of food.Latest technology is used in temple offices and in administrative affairs. So there is no scope for committing any fraud or illegal management in financial matters. Every temple has a web site wherein all activities and photos and history of the temple are clearly shown along with E-mail address for getting suggestions and feedback. The priests are also familiar with use of gadgets like I-pad and smart phones. They are also able to communicate in English and Hindi with devotees without any difficulty. Apart from spiritual and religious services social service and charity works are undertaken with regular schedule and active participation of devotees. Library, gift shop, and conference hall and dining hall are other things that attracted my attention.The devotees mostly from India observed traditional rules with shradda (attention) and devotion. At the same time they maintained cleanliness in temple precincts and observed discipline following queue system without any rush or hurry.In Sai temples devotees themselves prepare food items and bring them to be offered to God and later to be distributed to devotees.In Livermore temple one can see various types of rituals and ceremonies done elaborately by learned priests and Vedic scholars. The sight of People coming in traditional dresses adds a pious religious touch and shows our own identity and value of our culture.So I think we should not be led into wrong notion that our traditional dress is a sign of outdated society or social backwardness. Likewise we should not feel shy or inferior to converse or use our native language if other people know that language. Many linguists have already warned the death of so many languages along with cultures which they carry along with them. Once in India temples served as centers of knowledge, medical service,education, culture and social service.Even in Middle Ages, monasteries in Europe did commendable service in all fields and the monks led a very simple and austere life. So let us try to bring back the noble status and recognition to our temples and thereby in transforming the society by their practical example rather than by mere verbal platitudes.

Dear readers, with this I conclude the series of articles written about my experiences in U.S. during my three-month long stay.The U.S. is a very vast domain with rich diversity and modern technology.What I wrote is very insignificant. There are so many things unexplored with a wide spectrum of great magnitude. So let me celebrate my journey with these few lines of Walt Whitman, one of my favourite American poets;

            " I hear America singing the varied carols I hear
               ***********************************
              Each singing what belongs to him or her and to none else
              *******************************************
             The day what belongs to the day--at night the party of young fellows robust and friendly
             *******************************************************************
            Singing with open mouths their strong , melodious songs."

       ( I am very much thankful to my son Subash, a great blogger himself, who has helped me              in starting this literary and social platform to share my views and experiences with you.
     I would not have written these articles without my daughter-in-law, Nikhila's  help, who                 like a teacher and mentor taught me how to type on a computer, repeatedly explaining
    and clarifying my doubts with much patience.My hearty blessings to both of them.)


       Dated: 18th July, 2013                                                             SOMA SESHU GUTALA