Jain temple

Has wanderlust attacked me? Or it is just boredom accentuated by empty nest? But all the self help articles, all pinterest images tell me to "go outside". Walking in the park gets tedious after a while. And super markets are just not right. Because a) they do not have 'nature' b) they make us more depressed because there are so many things you want to buy, but you don't want to buy after looking at the cost. So where does a woman go then.

Hence the early pilgrimage.

Now don't tell me this next phrase is sacrilegious.

ek bhale maanushi ke devout banake choda!  :)

But today it was to be my real passion. Books. Do I read? Do I get time to read anything other than newspapers? But again all articles ask me to read a book. So I am at least making an effort.

So I had to return previous book by Margaret Atwood and Anitha Desai and bring new books. That done, I was on my way to metro station (new fad). I saw this chapak  (sampige in kannada) petals on the ground. Lifted my head up and saw this tree with scanty flowers. I had to take its picture.

Now with mobile camera in hand, my eyes caught hold of what appeared to be a small temple. So I need that right? I crossed the road and entered the Govindappa road.

The temple at the end of road is a Shwetambar Jain temple called Vimalanath Shwetambar mandir.  And like all Jain mandirs, the temple is completely constructed from white marble. 

And every wall, pillar, even railing is intricately carved. When we compare it to Hindu temples constructed recently, this is beautiful and peaceful.  

A grand mother was teaching a child how to pray.  A woman was praying with the help of rice grains - are these used for counting the prayers, I am not sure. 

And the idol is beautiful. But we expect our Gods to be carved out of black stone. We are used to seeing them like that. 

And I had this nagging feeling that I am intruding into their devotion.  

So if you happen to be near National college circle, visit this temple.