Heart of Darkness

Today was the day we had planned to go to the temple. We had some orientation at India time (those of you who know Indian know what I mean). Then we ate lunch and headed toward the temple. Brian our fearless leader warned us this temple was full of darkness and here is some of the history behind the temple. This temple is built on Nilachal hill and is believe to be an ancient ‘khasi’ sacrificial sire that is dedicated to the goddess Kamakhya. It is one of the oldest center of Shakti worship and tantric Hinduism. The original 10th century temple is believe to have been destroyed by Muslim converts but was rebuilt by King Naranarayana of Koch Bihar in 1665. The shikara or spire of the temple is in the shape of a beehive.
As we rode the bus to this hill it was crowded and hot! We then made it to the bottom of the hill and got a small vehicle to drive us up the hill. We then got to the top and had to climb up more to the actually spot. As we ascended to the top near the temple I immediately felt a horrible feeling inside that told me to go back and not go near this place. it is hard to explain this feeling but I could feel the darkness of the temple and I was not even inside it yet. We then made it to the inside of the temple area and it was so sad to see all the people there gathering to make a sacrifice to a false god. The looks on peoples faces was uncomfortable and uneasy. We walked around in pairs and looked at the grounds around the temple. It was so uncomfortable and dark. It was the first time I have ever felt scared to this degree. I walked near the entrance where the poorer pope go to enter the temple. It looked like they were cattle getting ready to go in for slaughter as they sat behind metal bars leading to the temple I was overwhelmed with this place. I then sat on the steps that went up a hill and started yarp-ing. As soon as I finished connor came up to where I was and we stood talking. While we talked a national guy came up to us and started talking to us. This was the first time we had someone come talk to us! It was so exciting! Immediately as they started talking I had a peace inside me that was comforting and awesome. It was father comforting me while I was in this palce. I learned that our new national friend just finished school and is working in Deli. He said they were there to see his sister-in-lw and brother get married. It was day one of three. I was able to meet several of his friends, sisters, mother, father, his sister to be and his brother! I am sure I also met his grandmother she looked old enough to be. They seemed to love us a lot. Two white boys in a temple who would have known! They asked to take our pictures with them and we got one of them as well. They invited us to their place but I did not get their number because I would shocked they waned to talk to us and I was kinda scared to give nay information out they had to go because his sister to be and brother had to go one with their marriage stuff. Brian then showed us the pool they use to cleanse them selves with. All of this kinda reminded me of the Catholics from civ… civ moment. We then walked around a bit and watched the kids laying in water that my mother would have spanked me to death for ever thinking tot go in. it was so dirty and nasty one would think they would need to be cleansed from the cleaning water! Irony??? We then saw our friends on the other side and waved at them. We hard them say “no take a picture of the Americans first” while they were dipping their feet in the cleansing water! I had a celebrity moment. We then decided it was time to go because it was about to rain. We then walked out and left. We rode the bus back and it was crowded and ht. we ate at a place called R-omas it was SO good! I had some chicken curry that was so good! It was also very spicy and I started sweating! It was so worth it! we then made it back home tin the rain. Yarp for rain cause it cools it off here!