Over the last few weeks we have visited multiple places of worship in India, including two of the four primary holy sites for Hindus and numerous Hindu temples. We saw and heard many unfamiliar, sometimes disturbing things. The Hindi word for worship is "puja". Puja varies remarkably, but is generally an attempt of an individual or family at making a connection with the divine.
Our first experience immersed into Hindu religion was at a holy site called Ujjain. This city sits on the banks of the Kshipra River and houses a very large temple used for corporate worship as well as numerous temples for individual worship. We were asked to remove our shoes before entering the complex. We entered a room with stadium-style seating which could hold a few hundred people. This particular room is devoted to a fertility god, so people hoping to bear children often come to this temple. Puja began as priests (shirtless men in orange pants) began ringing large bells to awaken the god at the front of the room. The Hindu people watched as the priests anointed the stone idol with fire, flowers, and coconut milk. The priests began playing drums and cymbols in somewhat of a haunting rhythm. Other priests began chanting followed by the the crowd returning chants and clapping along with the rhythm. Mothers taught their children to bow down to the idol. The "service" lasted roughly 15 minutes after which the crowd made its way to the front of the room to give offerings of flowers, sweets, and coconut milk to give to the priests and their behalf. People then exited the room to a courtyard where about 20 other idols were set up for individual worship. Many people in the crowd were far detached from what was happening, almost going though the motions. A few, however, were very passionate about the puja they were performing.
At another temple in Ujjain, we watched as people offered bottles of liquor to a demon-god known for his drunkenness. The people offer liquor to the priests who pour it into special bowls and down the mouth of the idol. It was incredible to see people honoring a god with such a major personality flaw as drunkenness. Yet, the people we talked to said they continue to come to this god because he answers their wishes. To see so many people bound to this idol and even honoring his flaws was extremely sobering.
Our next visit was to a second holy site called Haridwar. This city, particularly the Ganges River running through it, is believed by Hindus to be the birthplace of Shiva (one of the top three most worshipped gods in all of Hinduism). Because of this belief, Hindu people flock by the thousands to Haridwar to ritually bathe in the river to wash away their sins. However, because people continue to sin, they must keep coming back to the river to wash. It was at Haridwar that we faced the most resistance to the good news: I was asked by a group of young men to go away while I was in the middle of sharing; they then followed and interrupted me as I was introducing myself to a couple of guys to share with them. Sarah faced similar resistance as the ladies were unable to share with women because they were constantly being surrounded by men. The city boasts a 100' statue of Shiva at the edge of the river. It is a stronghold of Hinduism.
A final experience happened in Delhi at a place called Kalkaji Temple. This temple is dedicated to a goddess named Kali. As we entered the temple grounds, we walked down a market area where sweets, flowers, and other offerings were sold for people to offer to Kali. In this area, we were approached by a Hindu cross-dresser. These people typically go to places where large groups are gathered (like temples or a child's first birthday party) and demand money from them. If money is not paid, they antagonize and disrupt the event until they are given money. If people refuse to give money, the cross-dresser places a curse on them. Many people are so afraid of being cursed that they give money; others give because they are greatly annoyed. We did not given money, and so he began to speak curses on us. We walked away unharmed but more than a little uncomfortable. Another group went into the temple and witnessed a demon-possessed woman.
Our experiences were shocking realities of the spiritual state of millions of people in India. Psalm 115 truly comes to life in this place. Please read and pray.
Our first experience immersed into Hindu religion was at a holy site called Ujjain. This city sits on the banks of the Kshipra River and houses a very large temple used for corporate worship as well as numerous temples for individual worship. We were asked to remove our shoes before entering the complex. We entered a room with stadium-style seating which could hold a few hundred people. This particular room is devoted to a fertility god, so people hoping to bear children often come to this temple. Puja began as priests (shirtless men in orange pants) began ringing large bells to awaken the god at the front of the room. The Hindu people watched as the priests anointed the stone idol with fire, flowers, and coconut milk. The priests began playing drums and cymbols in somewhat of a haunting rhythm. Other priests began chanting followed by the the crowd returning chants and clapping along with the rhythm. Mothers taught their children to bow down to the idol. The "service" lasted roughly 15 minutes after which the crowd made its way to the front of the room to give offerings of flowers, sweets, and coconut milk to give to the priests and their behalf. People then exited the room to a courtyard where about 20 other idols were set up for individual worship. Many people in the crowd were far detached from what was happening, almost going though the motions. A few, however, were very passionate about the puja they were performing.
Our next visit was to a second holy site called Haridwar. This city, particularly the Ganges River running through it, is believed by Hindus to be the birthplace of Shiva (one of the top three most worshipped gods in all of Hinduism). Because of this belief, Hindu people flock by the thousands to Haridwar to ritually bathe in the river to wash away their sins. However, because people continue to sin, they must keep coming back to the river to wash. It was at Haridwar that we faced the most resistance to the good news: I was asked by a group of young men to go away while I was in the middle of sharing; they then followed and interrupted me as I was introducing myself to a couple of guys to share with them. Sarah faced similar resistance as the ladies were unable to share with women because they were constantly being surrounded by men. The city boasts a 100' statue of Shiva at the edge of the river. It is a stronghold of Hinduism.
A final experience happened in Delhi at a place called Kalkaji Temple. This temple is dedicated to a goddess named Kali. As we entered the temple grounds, we walked down a market area where sweets, flowers, and other offerings were sold for people to offer to Kali. In this area, we were approached by a Hindu cross-dresser. These people typically go to places where large groups are gathered (like temples or a child's first birthday party) and demand money from them. If money is not paid, they antagonize and disrupt the event until they are given money. If people refuse to give money, the cross-dresser places a curse on them. Many people are so afraid of being cursed that they give money; others give because they are greatly annoyed. We did not given money, and so he began to speak curses on us. We walked away unharmed but more than a little uncomfortable. Another group went into the temple and witnessed a demon-possessed woman.
Our experiences were shocking realities of the spiritual state of millions of people in India. Psalm 115 truly comes to life in this place. Please read and pray.
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