Had recently gone to Tuljapur...dats near Solapur...for Devi ka darshan....
Man, that was a sad n disappointing trip.... one could call it a fiasco of sorts...
When i think of God...n temples...i associate it with feelings like...devotion... calmness n peace amidst the throngs....because even the crowds add to the almost hypnotic quality of the atmosphere..... But what i saw n felt in that temple..... scared the shit outta me!!! The mindset of the people gathered there was akin to that of people waiting to cram into the last local for the day... angry looks....elbow shoves...barely audible profanity....
Oh...n how can i forget... the fat, obnoxious security guard who wouldnt allow you to go ahead unless you made a settlement with him.... he had this lathi in his hand... swing it with considerable force n he could have skinned someone.... even worse was the fact that he was sitting right inside the main temple .... the main temple!!!!! In full view of God.... How dead was his conscience????????
Corruption...they say that the best way to stop it is if the common people take up a stand..... take up a stand...and what???? get yourself turned black n blue?? Hell, we'd accept corruption anyday!!
But not in a TEMPLE!!! NO!!! NEVER!!!!!!!
And so we waited...... in the ever increasing crush of humanity...... with one claustrophobic aunt on the verge of hysteria.... and still... darshan tar ghyaychach hota na....
The crowd was increasing...the guard began to caress his lathi and make threatening noises..... and so we decided to beat a hasty retreat.....
All we ever got to see was the decoration inside??? And who cares about that!!!!
Slowly we slunk out...tail between our legs....
And in the courtyard.... four fresh goats waiting to be slaughtered!!!
That was it...end of trip!!!
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All i can say of the trip was............................. the scenery on the way to and from Solapur back home was good....
WHEN DID GOD COME WITH A PRICE TAG ATTACHED??????
