This past week our class took the train to Southall, an area with one of the largest South Asian populations in the United Kingdom. It was a treat to visit, and I felt like I was in India if India were very cold, very rainy, and filled with bright red double decker buses. Our guide Monesha was incredibly knowledgeable and explained the traditions and customs behind each venue we visited, which included grocery stores, restaurants, and fabric retailers among others.
My favorite site we visited was our final stop, a Hindi Temple. At first I was slightly nervous about going in--I had never been to a Hindi Temple before and I didn't want to seem disrespectful, or disturb the other worshipers. However, the staff could not have been more welcoming. After taking off our shoes, we followed Monesha, who is Hindi herself, into a brightly lit, colorful room. At the front of the room, a stage-like platform held statues of Hindi avatars, surrounded by their respective symbols. Monesha explained the purposes of each avatar, and the customs of praying which included offering food, money, and other goods to the altar at the corner of the room. We were informed of the various sects existing within Hinduism, and it seems that the faith is less concerned with specific gods and rules, and more with a general philosophy. According to Monesha, Hindis can range from being highly devout to atheistic. What they share is the conscious appreciation and respect for life in all its forms. Upon leaving, we were each given a piece of blessed fruit, an action which reflected the sentiment of appreciation and kindness I gathered from Hinduism itself. I'm convinced the fruit gave us good karma for a safe train ride home.
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