Meeting the Gods of Udaipur
It was only appropriate that on my 27th birthday, the first day out of mandated isolation, my roommates and I rose before the Sun and marched up a hill overlooking the city of Udaipur to meet its protector, the Goddess Neemach Mata.
Neemach Mata’s temple is located at the top of a hill and there are no vehicles allowed, meaning all those seeking Her must climb the hill to meet Her. The trek was especially unforgiving for us, with our muscles atrophied from seven days of sitting around in a room. We were clinging onto the railing and taking deep, labored breaths as friendly elderly joggers running up the hill greeted us.
Trekking up the hill to the temple
Views from the top of the hill
Like most Gods, I didn’t meet Neemach Mata inside Her temple. She was outside, watching the Sun God as He rose brilliantly, shaking off His slumber and starting His chariot in its daily journey across the sky. She let us sit next to Her as we watched Him come out, red as rage. She was silent and stoic as She surveyed Her city as it shone against the Sun’s rays, a splendorous white with the blue lakes adorning it like a garland. Her city was beautiful, even more so in the gentle stillness that comes with early mornings. I now see why She made Her home on top of this hill.
Supplicants arrived at the entrance of the temple, where we were standing with Her but She didn’t turn to greet them. She was entranced, like the rest of us, with the red Sun.
It did not bother me that She did not answer us. It was our duty to come to Her, not Her duty to respond. We may seek out the Gods but to demand an answer? Never.
Meeting the Gods
(Cameras, cellphones, and photos aren’t allowed inside temples. These photos are taken outside, at the base/entrance of the temple structure, on top of the hill.)
I took off my shoes at the entrance and made my way up the final set of stairs to Her altar. I had met Her already, Her presence shrouding the entire hill, but I’m a creature of formality. And formal introductions needed to be made. I bowed in front of Her statue, stiff and unsure, as She watched, amused and politely suppressing a smile. I asked for protection as we stayed in Her realm for the next 12 months.
And there was no answer. I bowed one last time and left, for my journey was only to seek, hope, and pray. Who am I, to demand an answer?
