Hindu

Today at work, instead of ordering food, we got picked up by Usman and Charlie who took us out for lunch to a lovely place called the Elephant Warehouse where we had Bun Kebab and Lassi. Bun Kebab is like a traditional Pakistani burger and very tasty. People who know me, know that I dislike the concept of taking pictures of food to just share them on instagram, but I thought it would be easier now than explaining how a traditional Pakistani burger differs from an international one – you get me?
For those who don’t know: Lassi is a very refreshing milk/yoghurt drink which you can have either sweet or salty (but so far I haven’t tried salty).

Later this afternoon, we moved from Faria’s place to Monty’s place and then met with Moomal to visit the Hindu temple of Lord Shiva. In an attempt to fit in better and show our respect towards the culture, we were also wearing our kurtas again.
On the place in front of the temple, we saw this man and his family sell the flowers you burn for prayer; I actually wanted to take a picture of the cute little kid, but it wouldn’t stand still.

We could only enter the Shiva temple because Moomal had asked for permission in advance, normal tourists wouldn’t have been able to enter that easily. We still got held back at the entrance, but Moomal could clarify the situation and we proceeded to take off our shoes and give them to the shoe guard (or however you may call them) in exchange for a little ticket.
Once Sudesh had also joined us, we passed the entry archway and stepped downstairs, our bare feet leading us into the yard, first, and then down the main stairs into the underground temple of the popular Hindu deity of Lord Shiva…

We didn’t take any pictures inside of the actual temple, but Moomal walked us through it and explained us the stories behind each deity whose beautifully decorated statue was arranged in a showcase. The temple was getting crowded, as the prayer was about to start, so we had to leave the peaceful incense-filled rooms and continued our little tour in the big yard we had passed earlier.

On the way to the actual temple, at the right side of the main stairs, we had passed this statue and now that we had time to look at it again, Moomal explained us that he is not a specifically Hindu god, but that everybody can pray to him.

On the other side of the main stairs there was another deity showcase like the ones inside, but bigger.

In front of it, people were sitting and eating or just talking, and although it was outside, you still had the incense smell everywhere: you can tell that this place is not only about religion or spirituality, but also about conviving and just spending time at a peaceful place together.

The whole yard was enclosed by a corridor in which we had the chance to pose with another deity showcase depicturing Ganesha/Ganapati, the remover of obstacles, who people had offered flowers to in prayer.

What I liked about the whole sentiment was the naturalness you feel when the soles of your feet touch the ground and the ease of people just sitting on the floor and eating rice with their (right) hands, as well as the spirituality that was somehow chaotic and peaceful at the same time: people were moving around to pray at one of the many small spots and throwing flowers or burning incenses, the mass was in a current gentle flow – but still everyone was calm and inward-looking; everything and everyone accompanied by the omnipresent incense smell and wafting smoke.
Even though this was my first real contact with the Hindu religion, I didn’t feel out of place, but was fascinated by the general atmosphere and felt like this was a religion who welcomes everyone who treats it with the appropiate respect.

As I mentioned, people were eating rice with their hands, but they didn’t bring it themselves: they actually give free food away in the temple’s yard, so we got some, too:

While we were sitting on some steps and having rice with our hands (which is actually not as difficult as it sounds, I finished it quickly, and it also tasted very good) I observed the people around us: Everybody looked so pretty! I like the colourful Pakistani/Asian way to dress anyway, and I can’t know how these people dress and look when they don’t go to the temple, but the appearances of some of them was like from fairy tale based prejudices: Many girls, even baby girls, were wearing make up and jewellery.

It was adorable how they were all Hindu religion/tradition/manner experts, though… growing up, the little girl will just have to learn not to eat with her left hand anymore.

After our temple dinner we went back up to a little praying area next to the first stairs:

See the cow in the middle? Whisper a wish into her ear and some time in your life this wish will get fulfilled.

This was the door seperating the little praying area from the stairs and was actuallyincluded into the big tree which the stairs were kind of built around. The sign on the top is the sign for the “ohm” used for meditation.
Right across the stairs, opposite this door, was a small shop with souvenirs/religious knick-knack which probably all has a meaning or purpose that I don’t know.

I got a tiny lamp à la Aladdin which you fill with oil and burn a small piece of cloth in, a necklace with Hanuman, the monkey deity of courage, power, faith and selfless service, and a white shell which you can blow to cast out all evil – unfortunately I can’t blow it yet, as I don’t get a proper sound out of it, so I will have to keep practicing.

We left the temple when we had gotten enough souvernirs and our shoes back and strolled around on Jehangir Kothari Parade, the place in front of the temple.

Fun foto session included, of course.

Behind the balustrade you can see the park Bagh-e-lbn-e-Qasim which is supposed to be very nice, but not at all at his time of the day, which is why we didn’t go.

Instead we went to this pretty pavilion where we waited to be picked up and driven home, after a short historical annecdote from Moomal about how once the sea water level had been up till this spot.

It had been a long day, but the Hindu temple was a beautiful and truly inspiring experience, very different from what I knew.
Once home, though, the fun wasn’t over; unfortunately, my camera’s battery was, so I am only able to share this one second with you, but let me tell you that we were kicking Aaqib’s ass quite a bit 😉