The night of two temples

Post that should have been written good week ago or so…

It was a quiet place

One Sunday night my colleague and I decided to go for a walk. Prompted by an article in a local newspaper about parades which should be taking place because of some Hindu celebration. What I failed to notice though, is that the parades were in a remote, Southern part of the city… When it dawned on us that there is very little chance to see those parades we decided to visit a Buddhist temple on a small island at the lake behind the hotel. It was a very quiet place, we met couple of praying people but apart from that we were free to go around and explore all the statues in detail and not disturb anyone.
On the way back to the hotel we noticed there is another temple – a lot bigger one! Also a Buddhist one, comprising of two or three buildings. A lot more going on as well – prayers, discussions and – a highlight for me – an elephant! We walked around quite a bit, didn’t want to disturb the prayers so only peeked into the main building. As we were about to leave the guy who was feeding an elephant waved at us and handed us two loaves of bread. Feeding an elephant is a very strange experience: one is so close to huge, huge animal which is also very tender and delicate. And has one of the biggest tongues I’ve ever seen
It could well be an end of very exciting evening for me, but my colleague insisted we check out a nearby Hindu temple as well. After all, the initial goal of that night was to see Hindu celebrations! It was a good idea. As we approached the temple it became obvious there is something going on…

It was all lit up and people were rushing inside

We entered and became witnesses of an extraordinary spectacle. It was an end of some week-long celebration of one of the deities. Each of deity’s family member was carried around central altar in a procession, than deity itself as well. As various statues were carried around people smashed coconuts on the floor and soon the whole temple floor was covered in coconut juice. Sticky stuff, I’m telling you!

Coconuts everywhere

Than priests carried on with nomination of new priests and the ceremony ended. I think it must have lasted at least an hour and a half. Can’t tell for sure as I’ve lost track of time. I was trying to remember as much as possible, take as many pictures as possible and get out of the way as much as possible. Quite challenging multitasking
We were invited to join the community for huge dinner, but as it was served on the floor out of palm leaves we decided to turn down the invitation. As politely as we could of course. Nobody felt offended, fortunately.
Quite extraordinary of a walk that started at quiet, not very exciting temple at the lake. One never knows what is waiting just around the corner!