Submitted by Natabara (not verified) on Tue, 14/08/2007 - 11:44.
When I arrived in Bangalore last year, I was in a van leaving the airport and somehow the van driver told me about the Shiva statue. I was asking about temples to visit in the city, and it turned out the Shiva statue was only a mile or two from the airport. I got excited and asked and we stopped.
To be quite honest, it reminded me of Disneyland -- a lot of chaos, a lot of merchandising, lines of people and a very kitchy theme abound. I almost lost it when there was a group performing bhajans and suddenly the melody became Jingle Bells! It was too much -- too bad I didn't have a video camera. It would have been a YouTube classic!
The picture above is during the day -- I saw it at night. And of course there were a lot of Christmas-type lights everywhere. Once you are done meditating (if you can do so in amidst all the activity), you pick up your shoes and then you are wisked into the pavillion with all the merchandise. And there is a lot of merchandise!
Outside is the busy street with cars all trying to park and wait for occupants. Its actually in the middle of a busy business district. Its quite a scene -- not exactly the peaceful Himalayas, but there's an endearing quality about it all.
I visited the Shiva statue in Bangalore
When I arrived in Bangalore last year, I was in a van leaving the airport and somehow the van driver told me about the Shiva statue. I was asking about temples to visit in the city, and it turned out the Shiva statue was only a mile or two from the airport. I got excited and asked and we stopped.
To be quite honest, it reminded me of Disneyland -- a lot of chaos, a lot of merchandising, lines of people and a very kitchy theme abound. I almost lost it when there was a group performing bhajans and suddenly the melody became Jingle Bells! It was too much -- too bad I didn't have a video camera. It would have been a YouTube classic!
The picture above is during the day -- I saw it at night. And of course there were a lot of Christmas-type lights everywhere. Once you are done meditating (if you can do so in amidst all the activity), you pick up your shoes and then you are wisked into the pavillion with all the merchandise. And there is a lot of merchandise!
Outside is the busy street with cars all trying to park and wait for occupants. Its actually in the middle of a busy business district. Its quite a scene -- not exactly the peaceful Himalayas, but there's an endearing quality about it all.
Thank you Natabara
Thank you for your thoughtful and very interesting story. I wish I could visit it too. Maybe one day.
Priyadarshan