India’s most prevalent spiritual philosophy is Hinduism. The Hindu pantheon comprises of millions of gods and goddesses. One of the more prominent ones is Lord Krishna. According to Hindu scriptures, particularly the Bhagavata Purana, he is the eight ‘avatar’ (a Sanskrit term roughly translates as ‘incarnation’) of Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu is considered to be an integral member of the Hindu trinity of supreme deities that govern the cycle of cosmic existence. The two other members of this holy trinity are Brahma, ‘The Creator’, and Shiva ‘The Destroyer’. Vishnu on the other hand is “The Maintainer”.
Such an introductory analysis of the Hindu pantheon could take up to hundreds, if not, thousands of pages bound together in a well-researched theological work that may still not be able to grasp in its entirety one of the most complex spiritual philosophies known to mankind.In saying that, succinctly introducing Lord Krishna is essential in comprehending a ‘puja’ (Hindu praying celebration) which I attended last week. The ‘puja’ dedicated to Lord Krishna was conducted at a ‘mandir’ (Hindu shrine) in the same neighbourhood as my guesthouse in the village of Ullon, rural West Bengal. I was invited by some of my neighbours, local villagers who I have befriended during my Milaap fellowship. I was honoured to be invited to a local spiritual ceremony. This was because I was very keen to gain insights into the local culture in which I am becoming increasingly immersed. Attending such a spiritual celebration that is so imbedded in the local Bengali culture was something I could not resist. Being a Hindu myself, it was important for me to participate in a festivity that is very much part of my cultural and spiritual philosophy and heritage.I attended Ullon village’s Lord Krishna puja last Tuesday evening. Along with over a hundred people, I was a spectator to a melodic chanting of Hindu mantras dedicated to Lord Krishna in Sanskrit by village priests. Their chanting was beautifully synchronised with the singing of ‘bhajans’ (Hindu devotional songs) by a troupe of local musicians playing traditional instruments, such as the ‘tabla’ (a type of Indian drums) and the hand-pumped harmonium. Fragrant smoke generated by burning incense sticks permeated the whole mandir throughout the ceremony. Although the atmosphere of the mandir became a bit hazy consequently, the fragrant smoke somehow provided a more 'mystique' touch to the 'puja'.It was indeed an elegant affair. I wanted to share my wonderful cultural experience to all of you Milaap blog lovers, so that you gain an insight into a spiritual and cultural aspect of rural West Bengal. Without any further ado, I present you with a small series of photographs, which I took throughout the ‘puja’. Please do take a look and learn pictorially a typical rural Bengali ‘puja’ dedicated to one of the most eminent deities in Hinduism.[caption id="attachment_2485" align="aligncenter" width="1953"]
The front view of the puja layout, including an assortment of local gourmet Bengali dishes being offered by the local villages to Lord Krishna, being overlooked on by the shrine dedicated to Lord Krishna.[/caption][caption id="attachment_2487" align="aligncenter" width="1953"]
Priests chanting the melodic Hindu Sanskrit mantras as a form of 'Bhakti' (devotional worship) to Lord Krishna.[/caption][caption id="attachment_2489" align="aligncenter" width="1953"]
The local village musical troupe singing and playing music to Lord Krishna bhajans.[/caption][caption id="attachment_2491" align="aligncenter" width="1953"]
Local spectators consisted of Ullon's residents who seems in awe of the whole ceremony. Even so, some of them told me that they sometimes found it difficult to watch as the incensed stick-fuelled fragrant smoke would occasionally partially impair their view. The fragrant smoke had made the atmosphere of the mandir quite hazy by then. [/caption][caption id="attachment_2493" align="aligncenter" width="1953"]
A closer view of Lord Krishna's shrine, the focal spot of attention during the puja. You may notice the fine-looking statuette depicting Lord Krishna.[/caption][caption id="attachment_2494" align="aligncenter" width="1953"]
The puja concluded with the mesmerising sparkling of fireworks lighting up the night of an otherwise dark Ullon.[/caption]
