Nandhi, the Bull awaits His Lord
The Nandhi here isn't in any living temple.
Sadly he is in a temple at Hambi, Karnataka left to lurch for itself, since invaders had marred centuries before. The temple now is an Archaeological preserve. Only tourists visit these relics and not any one on pilgrimage.
With Ram Lalla back on His throne, are we seeing any ray of hope for many more temples crying for their revival?
A friend shared a statistics. That there are about 40 k + temples in Tamilnadu. Probably this includes temples where at least one time Puja, oru kala Puja, happens in a day. There are countless number of temples in complete ruin like the one in Hambi. These may not find space in the 40k + statistics. Besides even out of these 40k +, how many would have undergone renovation and consequent Kumbabishekam? The experts in Agama sastras opine keeping temples without Kumbabishekam for more than 12 years is not any good as we may incur the wrath of the Gods.
More than the department meant for taking good care of these divine edifices, who care more for the temples across the state is the local community and good hearted philanthropists. Recently in another Tamil daily, there was a report. That an ancient temple in complete dilapidated condition was spotted in a southern District by the District Archeological department officials. The daily is not any tabloid. It's a popular one. After that till date, ther is no news literally about the District Department -supposed to care for Temples - having taken any initiative towards restoring the temple. What sort of a world do we live in?
What benefits may all stakeholders derive from reviving such holy shrines?
○there will be increased number of footfalls, yatrikas will start visiting the temple for darsn;
○it'll spur local transportation industry, Auto, cab wallas could earn their livelihood ferrying yatrikas to the temple. Even state transport could render passenger bus service;
○micro, mini small time vendors like flower merchants, Pooja material vendors could do business.
Choultries, hotels, restaurants all may come up and change the demography and economics of the region.
Osho in his Hidden Mysteries writes;
"India cannot be India until the temples again become alive. "
And noted Lawyer Sai Deepak echoes in a recent meeting, there's urgent need to repopulate the lost temples.
Hope we will be able to realize the dream of having darsn of our beloved Lords back in their temple.
