The Bells

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India is a mystic land. In 21st century India, the new and the old, the agnostic and the spiritual, all co-exist. And no city exhibits this more succinctly than Varanasi, the seat of Lord Vishwanath of Kashi.

I was travelling in an autorickshaw. The driver stopped at a roadside shrine for a few seconds, possibly to offer some money as gift. I took out my phone and snapped a few pics, one after the other. Here’s the one that I felt had come out the best. 

Different deities in the Hindu religion are offered different things – fruits, wine, even cigarettes. Ostensibly, devotees tie bells at this shrine.
I apologise to you, my dear reader, for having skipped the Mundane Monday Challenge for so long. It feels great to be doing it again.

Published by bloggeray

Welcome, I am a lecturer, cinephile, ManU fan, cricket fanatic and aspiring writer.Thanks for dropping by on my blog.If you like(or not so much like) my posts,don't shy away from commenting. Follow me on Facebook @ Musingsite, and on Twitter @bloggeray23

25 Comments

    1. You’d be surprised that cigarettes aren’t the most out-there offerings. Huge country, strange and diverse faiths. 😝

      Thanks for the appreciation. The subject is great, the pic not so much. But I’ll take the praise. 😂😂
      You must visit Varanasi once. It isn’t as clean as it ought to be, but it draws you in, for sure.

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      1. Oh really?!! I cannot disagree on the strange and diverse faiths part! No, I really liked the angle you chose to take the shot. It gave a different perspective 🙂
        Varanasi has been on my bucket list for a long time. I was always drawn towards the place, not just as a holy shrine, but as it somehow fascinates and intrigues me.

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        1. Maybe one day you will finally get to visit the city. I agree that even keeping aside the spiritual aspect, it is a wonderful destination.
          Thank you for the detailed praise. To be honest, I was cramped in the autorickshaw and clicked from where I could. I had (have) no idea of angles and lighting. 😂😂

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        1. Here in Gujarat, people worship a deity called “Mama.” He is offered cigarettes by his devotees, especially if they are smokers. There is a temple in Rajasthan, Goddess Kali’s or some other deity’s (don’t remember clearly). Alcohol is offered there. 😝😝
          Then of course we have the animal sacrifices and chillums as offerings to some deities.

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          1. Alcohol I know. When I was in Ladakh, people offered the deities (I don’t remember their names) things like biscuits, maggi and even soap bars! Incredible India Indeed.

            BTW, could you please resend me that NANOWRIMO link that you spoke to me about a few days back. I can’t find that thread anywhere in my comments. Thanks a bunch 🙂

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              2. I did start but then had to leave because of that exam I told you about.
                Never mind about being late. Join. Write as many words as you can. Better something than nothing, eh? 😀
                Good luck!

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