Namaste,
I know it's been a little while since my last proper post here on HDF. Time has a way of running away with itself these days, which is a pity because I still love reading and participating in the discussions on these boards. I really hope I can find more time in the future for it as I make a better effort to become a better Hindu. I won't go into too much tedious detail. The latter part of last year was a little hard for me emotionally. Two people very close to me were having health problems, one of whom ended up in 3 month spell in hospital. I realise people get grievously sick, and even die, everyday around the world and I should count my blessings those were not the deaths of family or friends I had to go through last year, but I suppose you could say this is the first major experience in this lifetime.
To make a long story short, both have recovered, albeit slowly. There are good days and bad days, still. Prayer and focus on God got me through a bit of a depressive spell, something I had not experienced since I was a lost and very spiritually confused teenager.
I feel a great yearning now to go and show God and myself I'm still serious about living a Hindu life and making room and time for japa, spiritual study and bhakti yoga. As yet - if you can believe it - I still have not gone to the Ganesha temple in my city. It is less than 20 minutes away by car but anxiety and fear of rejection by the regular devotees has made me put off each visit to another more "appropriate" time for the non-Indian girl who looks like she might have stumbled into the community hall by accident.
And so I've decided to leap right in and go on a pilgrimage, once again something I have wanted to do for the last 2 years but "never got around to doing". No more excuses. I've already arranged accommodation for 3 days visit to the Skanda Vale (also known as the Community of the Many Names of God): http://www.skandavale.org/, where Murugan is the main and presiding Deity of this beautiful part of Wales, UK.
Having read through their instructions and FAQs, I already have the basics in mind. Bring modest clothing, sensible shoes for walking around temples, hundi in a sealed unmarked envelope, timed the trip so it's not inappropriate for me to be inside the temples, food offerings for at least one of the pujas. I also intend to undergo a completely sattvic diet 1 week before arrival - no onions, garlic, etc.
However, the truth is even though I have my own altar at home and I know how pujas work, I'm actually a complete newbie in the reality of it. I have never set foot in a Hindu temple before. It seems rather fitting that it is Skanda's mandir, Lord of Yoga and spiritual instruction, where I am first going to enter and worship communally with other Hindus (after a prayer to Sri Ganesha at his shrine first, of course). I really want this visit to inspire a new resolve in myself to be more forthright in my "Hinduness". When people ask why I'm vegetarian, my answer is going to be fully truth - "I'm a Hindu/I observe ahimsa" and not some vague answer about ethical treatment of animals and fish. I also really hope that by receiving Sri Murugan's darshan I am going to be blessed with a fearlessness in living my religion to others (Hindus and non-Hindus, Indians and non-Indians alike), and also going to my local temple daily, weekly, monthly, whatever it takes to prove that I am serious as a Hindu and that I take my spirituality seriously, not just think and read books about it.
Is there any advice or suggestions anyone has to offer with regards to a) going on a pilgrimage, and b) going to a Hindu temple for the first time? Have you any stories to share about any special trips you made recently, or if you are considering to make a pilgrimage as well? Please do share!
I'm actually rather excited at knowing I am going to be there in less than a month's time! The day I arrive there will happen to be a special monthly puja for Maha Saraswati, which is rather a happy coincidence as I am starting my new college course later the following month. I fully intend to make the best use of my time whilst I'm there.
Om namah Shivaya
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