This is the main temple of the Hindu Gujaratis and Marwaris. The main charm is the beautiful idol of the Lord Himself. Despite all the hustle and bustle this is one huge carnival. The food is great even if u need 2 hav a stomach for it. The air is cool and dry.
Monday, November 12, 2012
EXPENSIVE WAY2GOD
If you want 2 get up n close 2 Srinathji having money unfortunately helps.
Officially contributing 2 one of the Bhogs (1k 2 5k) is the way2go. Paying n signing up for Brahmasambandha is best as you r taken to the inner sanctum after a cold bath and still wet.You cant get closer than this if you r a normal mortal.
Standard greasing (abhorable) is rampant at all levels - right from local touts, pandas, Japatias to the inner temple pandits and Mukhyaji. In the last 2 categories u can buy prasad directly from them.
Can't really blame them. Temple pays them pnuts but gives them lots of prasad(sweet and salt offerings of food made in pure ghee, the loving lord generally eats 56 items-the rarest and freshest being given 2 those high in hierarchy. So they sell the prasad either 2 u or 2the shops outside
who in turn sell it 2 u.
Your family pandit known as the GOR is the one who is the real tout.He knows all the prices and brokers a deal as unfairly as possible. You cant get away from him bcoz he'll find you no matter what.
Whatever u do u dont forget the Japatias. They are the ones who brandish their scarves like weapons and use them too. Just when you have pushed thru the mob, bribed thru your way to your level and am about 2 b rewarded with a blink and miss darshan of the lord Srinathji ..WHAP! You have been given a Jhapad with their cloth scarves right on your face(Hence the name JHAPATIAS). You have been JHAPPED.U better move or risk another one.As it is you will b pushed out by the hordes of Bribers right bhind you..each body part separate if you resist.In fact this wisdom is passed on from generation 2 generation that looking after the Jhapatias is the most cost effective way to an undisturbed 60 secs of darshan.
Now for a recap. Chek in n call you GOR. If he contacts u 1st he will add the effort 2 your cost (i.e. his Dakshina). Reach on the time he sets or pay more. Remember he is not being patient he is simply
adding a fee. If u r a VIP, he will wake u up. He will now take u in the wee hours and lead you thru closed doors past waiting hordes of devotees and make u wait in the marble courtyard.If u r a VVIP he will take u past more closed doors past the VIP bribers and BHOG devotees in to the inner courtyard just outside the temple door. VVVIP? U get 2 wait in the room where corridor where the Temple Musicians wait.This door opens 30 secs earlier than the others. VVVVIP? U get 2wait right outside the inner sanctum. Only a curtain now stands between u and the lords.
The last piece of advice. Work on your fitness and dont forget the jhapatias.
Officially contributing 2 one of the Bhogs (1k 2 5k) is the way2go. Paying n signing up for Brahmasambandha is best as you r taken to the inner sanctum after a cold bath and still wet.You cant get closer than this if you r a normal mortal.
Standard greasing (abhorable) is rampant at all levels - right from local touts, pandas, Japatias to the inner temple pandits and Mukhyaji. In the last 2 categories u can buy prasad directly from them.
Can't really blame them. Temple pays them pnuts but gives them lots of prasad(sweet and salt offerings of food made in pure ghee, the loving lord generally eats 56 items-the rarest and freshest being given 2 those high in hierarchy. So they sell the prasad either 2 u or 2the shops outside
who in turn sell it 2 u.
Your family pandit known as the GOR is the one who is the real tout.He knows all the prices and brokers a deal as unfairly as possible. You cant get away from him bcoz he'll find you no matter what.
Whatever u do u dont forget the Japatias. They are the ones who brandish their scarves like weapons and use them too. Just when you have pushed thru the mob, bribed thru your way to your level and am about 2 b rewarded with a blink and miss darshan of the lord Srinathji ..WHAP! You have been given a Jhapad with their cloth scarves right on your face(Hence the name JHAPATIAS). You have been JHAPPED.U better move or risk another one.As it is you will b pushed out by the hordes of Bribers right bhind you..each body part separate if you resist.In fact this wisdom is passed on from generation 2 generation that looking after the Jhapatias is the most cost effective way to an undisturbed 60 secs of darshan.
Now for a recap. Chek in n call you GOR. If he contacts u 1st he will add the effort 2 your cost (i.e. his Dakshina). Reach on the time he sets or pay more. Remember he is not being patient he is simply
adding a fee. If u r a VIP, he will wake u up. He will now take u in the wee hours and lead you thru closed doors past waiting hordes of devotees and make u wait in the marble courtyard.If u r a VVIP he will take u past more closed doors past the VIP bribers and BHOG devotees in to the inner courtyard just outside the temple door. VVVIP? U get 2 wait in the room where corridor where the Temple Musicians wait.This door opens 30 secs earlier than the others. VVVVIP? U get 2wait right outside the inner sanctum. Only a curtain now stands between u and the lords.
The last piece of advice. Work on your fitness and dont forget the jhapatias.
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