Hanuman Mandir

What is the experience of worship at the shrine
(By Henry Beck)

 

For those who have never been to this small shrine, a devotee Henry, wanted to share something of his personal experience so that others could consider if a visit here is something that they would like to try out.

When I visit this shrine something happens.  I have not been able to put the experience into words.  Perhaps it is not an experience that others will have, but it is my experience.  If I spend some time sitting in the shrine, I leave somewhat transformed.  Not a miracle, maybe a small adjustment at the edges of my personality, but certainly enough to make it worthwhile.

I am not a Hindu by birth, so coming here does not bring me back to childhood memories.  I was not a great devotee of either Hanuman or Bhavani, though I have come to appreciate them.   I respect Baba Neem Karoli, but I am not certain that I consider him to be my guru.   I have visited traditional temples in the USA and India and usually enjoy the experience.  If there is anything to compare to this, and there is not, it is like a small rural shrine in India.  One can have an personal experience of worship and devotion.

Each of us approaches the Mandir with our own personality and temperament.  Mine varies from day to day and week to week.  At times I feel closer to God by service, which might include doing something for the web page, taking out the trash, or placing chandan on the deity.  At other times quiet meditation on the form of God, repeating mantra, or singing bring me closer to God. Sometimes it is good to just sit and appreciate.

The smaller of the two rooms is a gazebo which has been enclosed to protect the deities from the weather.  It is dedicated to Bhavani, a form of the Mother Goddes, though there are many other pictures and images here.   No more than four persons can sit in this shrine, so one has an intimate visit.  At the center of the wall is a statue of the Mother Goddess on a Lion, below her is Sri Chakra in beautiful crystal, and below that are three brass images of Lord Ganesh.  On the floor and in alcoves on the wall and above along the ceiling are pictures and images of other saints and deities.  When I sit alone, in this small room my glance goes from deity to deity and I remember different qualities that each represent for me.  One day I may focus on a small picture of Ramakrishna, another day Hanuman, and still another day the image of Sri Nathaji.  If I allow myself sufficient time (which is not always possible, because I sometimes stop here on my way to work) I permit myself to close my eyes and feel myself held in the love of the Devi.

This is not an elaborate Mandir with marble and gold.  There are not hundreds of devotees rushing in for a swift darshan and leaving after a few moments.  There are not dozens of priests in dhoti’s waiting to take your fee to make a puja.  Except on Saturday’s when Dr. Pidara conducts a Puja, one is usually alone here in worship.  A few have a key to open the doors and others can be listed to borrow a key from a nearby location.  The buildings are very simple temporary buildings made to function until such a time as the Trust has sufficient funds to build a proper temple, but for now they are more than sufficient. 

At this point in time there are no toilets or other bathroom facilities at the shrine.  If one is coming from a distance, it is a good idea to stop at the Wawa or Mobil station at the corner of Ridge Pike and Township Line Road to use their facilities before coming to the shrine. 

It is customary to wash one’s hands and feet before entering a Temple.  That is not required here, but for those who wish to wash, plastic bottles of well water are near the door.   

In warm weather there are pots of flowers growing near the entrance and one may pluck a flower to offer to the deity of their choosing.

Usually there is some Prasad left which anyone is welcome to share in.  Devotees may bring whatever they wish to offer, and all they are asked is that they leave the temple in the clean and tidy condition that they found it.  Visitors are asked to sign a log book kept in the Hanuman shrine.