Diwali Temple Visit

I went to my first temple here in Bangalore yesterday – sad to say but yes, it took me 6 month to go to one – and had a really amazing experience.

My friend Ran suggested we go to break up the monotony of the week and it was certainly a good day to go given it was Diwali, the festival of lights – imagine Christmas combines with 4th of July. The temple and the streets surrounding it were lively with everyone gearing up for the celebrations, buying various items for puja and gifts for family and friends.

Puja Items for Sale

As with all temples, shoes must be removed before entering the complex so this gentleman was kind enough to mind our shoes while we went inside.

Shoe Guy

Inside the temple complex, people were making offerings to the various gods and goddesses – each with their own station (there was an outer temple and an inner temple) and there were priests stationed at the main gods – Ganesh, Nandi, etc) and the offerings consisted mainly of coconuts, fresh fruits, flowers and sweets. The following pictures give you an idea of some of the action inside.