India Journal 02- Temple culture and the original social network

One of the most fascinating experiences in India is going to a temple. Specifically to one that you have been to, all your life. I have had the fortune of calling Sri Kothandarama Swami temple in Ramnagar, Coimbatore as my home temple. In sickness and sorrow, in happiness and good times and in times of courage and challenge, I have turned to the temple to offer me comfort and support. When I visit India, I make it a point to go to this temple as often as I can which is usually once or more a day. The temple is as much about my ties to the community as it is to religion. And that is the theme of this journal entry.[gallery ids="994,995,996,997,998,999"]Like always, I made a trip to the temple every day. The temple has its own unique subculture. There is no place for a new person in the community to make friends than at the temple. A daily visitor at the temple is soon a very integral element of the community. People initially stare at you and then slowly break into a smile after seeing you in the temple for a week. A month later they are talking and before you know, you have a new friend. The sense of bonding that people experience at and due to a local temple is quite its thing.On one of the days last week, we had a special Pooja at the temple which started at 6:45 in the morning. Our entire family was there at that time and as my dad astutely observed, this would be one of the ways a local could adjust the time on his watch. With Swiss time precision, people streamed in - Mr.J at 6:30 whom we met as he walked out of the temple, Mr. R who was there at 6:45 sharp followed by his wife at 6.55. Mr.C came in promptly at 7 followed by his brother at 7:05. This iteration would repeat everyday of the week with the clockwork precision. The only thing that would shift their schedule would be any news of a local person passing away or a trip out of town. To me, such habits, beyond its religious nature speaks of predictability and reliability in a person- a rare quality these days.Temples have evolved over the years. But the guiding philosophy of the space serving as much more than a place of religious importance but also as a community center has meant more to people. One of the evenings at the temple featured a concert by a girl who I have known since her birth and whose parents are very good family friends. Friends and family turned out to support her and I got an opportunity to meet many who I havent met in a long time. Music was the draw but the temple was the mainstay that anchored it.The little guy took to the temple as fish to water. He convinced his grandfather to take him there, twice a day. He found the large space a wonderful and welcoming sight and ran all over hanging out with the Gods and the Godmen. He instantly connected with the place and the people at the temple- the flower guy, the person who tended to the shoe rack outside, the Pujaris and the watchman. They smiled as he walked in and before long, the chap was having long conversations about nothing wih everyone. On the day he was leaving town, he was going around hugging the Pujari's. The temple was thus the enabler for some remarkable social engagement between a five year old and the unlikeliest of friends.The little guy wont see the temple again until next year but rest assured, he carries some wonderful memories of the place. As for me, the temple remains a mainstay of my life- continuing to offer my family an enduring connection to our religion and community.