From the moment I stepped out of the airport, whether I was ready or not, I knew I was in heat. New Delhi is a balmy city with temperatures scorching and rising well above 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Mixed in with the heat, however, was the aromatic scent of India. You could instantly taste the indelible aromas of cinnamon, cardamon, and peppers. The air was fragrant with jasmine and incense as the the city of 22 million people bustled around me. All felt right.
This great Mughal emperor was laid to rest in a tomb worthy of his life. The entire geometrically intricate and symmetrical building is positioned so that his tomb can face Mecca while he sleeps. Along side the entire monument is actually what we know now as the Star of David. Fun Fact - it's only about the last two hundred years that the Star of David has become known as a Jewish symbol. Before that it was seen as the symbol of the unification of Man and God, the combination of man and woman, etc.
After arriving in Delhi at 12 AM, we did not get back to the flat we are staying in till almost 2 after waiting for luggage and another volunteer. Suffice to say we were exhausted from not sleeping for two days, but the excitement of beginning this adventure kept us awake the whole night again. Our bodies were slowing down, but our minds raced. The next morning we awoke to our program cook making us fresh omelettes with hara mirchi (spicy green peppers) and onions. Followed by an even more delectable lunch of Aloo Gobi (Potatoes and Cauliflower) and Daal (Lentils) which are Indian staples.
After some orientation and paperwork, we set off to do some exploring of Delhi. We began with the Lotus Temple.
This testimony to the Bah'ai Faith was built in the shape of a blooming lotus flower. This symbol is used often times in South Asian culture as a representation of attaining Enlightenment. The sheer serenity and peace that this place conjures was enough to leave you speechless. In fact while praying inside of this temple, I was awestruck by the complete silence and connectedness that this place possessed. I could hear and focus on nothing but my own heartbeat. Feeling it thud again and again against my chest reminding me of mortality and yet showing me that I am but mortal but charged with divine spirit, something that courses through all of us. One of the most outstanding things about this place is that it respects, welcomes, and even encourages prayers and meditation from all faiths, religions, and peoples. Such an openness and true understanding of what it means to practice faith was truly refreshing.
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| Lotus Temple - New Delhi |
On a side note, I am already annoyed with two people. They are both from New Jersey, and they swaggered in with a high sense of entitlement. What really made me upset was that the girl of the two wore short shorts out in the city and even inside of the temple. Such blatant disregard for a conservative culture is inexcusable, but to disrespect a place of worship goes beyond any realm of tolerance. We are here for empowerment, culture immersion, and to leave our ethnocentric ideas at home while we try and make a difference in the culture here.
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| Humayan's Tomb |
Tomorrow more orientation begins before we head up north on Monday. So tired and going to bed though it is only 8 PM. Talk to you soon folks!
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