Krishna's Dwarka

As we boarded the first train, that would officially kick-start the Great Circular Indian Railway Challenge 2011, we were all set to leave Mumbai towards Dwarka; amongst the dry lands of Gujarat.

Largely undeveloped, this part of India depicted a stark contrast to the technology improvements that cities such as Bangalore or Hyderabad have embraced. Small streets narrow streets, houses amongst empty lands, and foreigners were looked upon as aliens, In a good way.

Hardly anyone visits this part of India and it was visible from the handful of motels and lack of any elaborate restaurants except small shops and streets. There was this one street which just uber crowded from the desolete surrounding areas. This area sold a whole range of things and there was a particular crowd that were dancing to music and carrying baskets of flowers.

Holy Bollywood Grooves

It was a procession heading towards this immaculate and beautiful Krishna Mandir. Having caught amongst the parade, one of us (Emily) had the chance to carry the flower basket on her head and groove to the tunes that came out of sound systems that could very well go with the term ancient. These baskets filled with a type of yellow flowers were considered sacred and held the flag to the Krishna Temple. Having the opportunity to carry it for a distance is considered lucky among the devotees.

The procession

Every two hours, the basket changes hands for another would be endowed with the same chance to carry the basket.

A brief history about the temple that the devotees of Dwarka were so attached to:

Krishna Mandir

The temple was constructed on the idea that after Krishna killed his maternal Uncle (for a particular reason that the driver who was with us had difficulty comprehending) he settled in Dwarka. I'm assuming the temple was built as his homeage to this place. A sign to signify Krishna's permanent migration to Dwarka.

Upon entering the Mandir, I realised how different the idols were compared to the depiction of the same Lord Krishna down in South India. I would have never been able to guess this was a temple for Krishna if I was not informed. 

Pretty miserable Indian roots I carry with me.