The Hindus love their gods and goddesses. For time immemorial this religion has been gender agnostic when it comes to their deities and super powers. As may super dudettes as dudes.
No discrimination is a tenet of the religion as it were. This weekend we visited the abode of multiple lords of both sexes in the nearby Livermore compound named after Shiva and Vishnu, respectively the destroyer of the Universe and the caretaker or preserver.
The place is colloquially known to the Indian ex-pats as Shiva Vishnu temple. These two are part of a triumvirate called Dattatreya, who manifests all three aspects of the universal lifecycle, by including Brahma as the creator of said universe.
The temple building houses among its idols those carved from black obsidian and marble and granite. Some represent the half elephant, half man form of Ganesha, the lord of new beginnings, the Ram Sita duo, Kali or Durga Mata the all powerful she god, Laxmi the goddess of wealth and scores of other eminences known to represent the epitome of human qualities.
Most mornings are devoted to prayer. Priests in varying uniforms usually a single color, either white or saffron draped around their bodies with a emblematic ash mark on their forehead will chant the shlokas or holy scripture from variety of Puranas or Vedas (ancient texts).
Below is a picture of how things are changing in the chanting world.
An appropriate marker for silicon valley. Apple and Google's tech has invaded the other world. These priests or bhatjis as they are known are using their ipads and cellular devices to beam the latest edition of the ancient texts to recite in unison in front of their lord. A moderator of sort in the golden yellow garb oversees their progress. Offerings of fruit and other herbs are being cleaned and prepped for offering to the lord (not quite sure of the rationale but once you get into the other worldly nothing is out of reach).
Another image below shows the special seasonal event of praying to the young Krishna (viewed as the savior of the universe and consequently essential for survival of our own species). His birth is captured in a mockup of the crib or swing or Zhula decked out in fresh jasmine while the infant Krishna is dressed in royal gold and fancy silk attire. The passerby pilgrim or devotee gets a chance to swing his crib and offer their love.
Post this sensational imagery we followed the crowds to partake in the prasadam aka holy food offered to the visitor to the temple. It is a standard fare of yoghurt rice and lemon spicy rice with peanuts (so allergic folk beware) that the devotees queue up to self serve and eat in a communal almost picnic like atmosphere outside the temple.
No discrimination is a tenet of the religion as it were. This weekend we visited the abode of multiple lords of both sexes in the nearby Livermore compound named after Shiva and Vishnu, respectively the destroyer of the Universe and the caretaker or preserver.
The place is colloquially known to the Indian ex-pats as Shiva Vishnu temple. These two are part of a triumvirate called Dattatreya, who manifests all three aspects of the universal lifecycle, by including Brahma as the creator of said universe.
The temple building houses among its idols those carved from black obsidian and marble and granite. Some represent the half elephant, half man form of Ganesha, the lord of new beginnings, the Ram Sita duo, Kali or Durga Mata the all powerful she god, Laxmi the goddess of wealth and scores of other eminences known to represent the epitome of human qualities.
Most mornings are devoted to prayer. Priests in varying uniforms usually a single color, either white or saffron draped around their bodies with a emblematic ash mark on their forehead will chant the shlokas or holy scripture from variety of Puranas or Vedas (ancient texts).
Below is a picture of how things are changing in the chanting world.
An appropriate marker for silicon valley. Apple and Google's tech has invaded the other world. These priests or bhatjis as they are known are using their ipads and cellular devices to beam the latest edition of the ancient texts to recite in unison in front of their lord. A moderator of sort in the golden yellow garb oversees their progress. Offerings of fruit and other herbs are being cleaned and prepped for offering to the lord (not quite sure of the rationale but once you get into the other worldly nothing is out of reach).
Another image below shows the special seasonal event of praying to the young Krishna (viewed as the savior of the universe and consequently essential for survival of our own species). His birth is captured in a mockup of the crib or swing or Zhula decked out in fresh jasmine while the infant Krishna is dressed in royal gold and fancy silk attire. The passerby pilgrim or devotee gets a chance to swing his crib and offer their love.
Post this sensational imagery we followed the crowds to partake in the prasadam aka holy food offered to the visitor to the temple. It is a standard fare of yoghurt rice and lemon spicy rice with peanuts (so allergic folk beware) that the devotees queue up to self serve and eat in a communal almost picnic like atmosphere outside the temple.
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