Kerala has remained to be one of
the oldest and most advanced cultures of the Indian subcontinent, from their
matriarchal ways of worship to their martial arts; and many more such feats
which are quiet exemplary foremost among them being the tantric and
different ways of worshiping natural and other worldly energy/power for
general benefit.
The oldest breathing temple
arguably could be the Vaikom Shiva Mahadeva. Situated at the banks of the
vembanadu back water lake. I was fortunate to see this ancient pilgrimage site
which is also known as "Daksina Kasi" by our forefathers. Kasi is
situated in north india at the banks of ganges and houses one of the 12 jyoti
linga shiva formations known as Kasi Vishwanath. People revere Vaikom as equal
to that place, and if it was not possible in ancient days to visit kasi, a
visit to this ancient power sight was considered just as fortunate!
The temple is supposed to be the location where Vyagraha maharishi
(saint) got his vision of consciousness, and along with two other temples
(fiery ettamannur shiva included) is supposed to be a trinity of shiva mood
worship.
I reached
around the evening aarthi (light and fire worship), and got off the jetty boat
(I came from the other shore of the vembanadu lake), the boat ride takes some
20 mins odd, and the town of vaikom is beautiful and simple. There is hustle
and bustle in the streets just like so many other small towns of india, yet the
center attraction of this town remains to be the ancient and huge shiva temple.
The
construction is of course Kerala in the making, low sanctum sanctorum, and a
big courtyard like structure with enough place for people to sit and meditate.
The center garbha/pillar is gold laiden and is extremely beautiful. Once you go
inside; you are to be mesmerized at how many people can easily fit inside such
a small temple. The place was packed yet everyone could stand at ease and see
the unveiling of the linga. The trinity of shiva linga present across this area
has a unique way in which they are made – they are taller almost as if they are
kept on a pedestal and people will have to raise their necks no matter what to
see the shiva linga. The phallus is covered around all ways with
diyas/lights/lamps which gives an ethereal presence.
The
temple is extremely important and I saw a huge number of very devout people (at
least in the vicinity of the temple) sitting and standing to meditate and pray.
There is an otherworldly power present inside the shiva linga, which has been
fortified with centuries of tantric worship – emphasizing on physical mental
and emotional purity and void, which can help pour the intense energy of
consciousness into the vessel of the body.
I stayed
for some half hour in front of the stone formation. My thoughts were centered
yet not in need. I was content is the simplest way of putting it. The linga
literally pushes intense energy out, everyone who is there can feel it to their
extents possible; and I remained extremely joyous that a fool like me got an opportunity/divine
grace to see a power place.
In intensity and delight, shadows and light. master who sees all and nothing gives relief. The eyes so blissful, the embrace so much the target of my life. Na Ma Ci Va Ya
Peace and
Bliss
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