Childhood ambition

Astronomy! My childhood ambition was to be an astronomer. More than the practical love of the subject, there was an imaginary quotient.

At an age when what ever mom tells means the world, I was very close to family and grandparents. They were very religious and followed most of the customs and I grew up hearing to stories from the legendary epics of India. I was told and believed there are worlds like heaven up in the sky and that we are not so blessed to see them all. Penance could empower one to be able to see them and also see angels. But people performing penance would mostly be reincarnations of holy beings. Hence penance was preached to be out of reach. When I used to ask the most innocent childhood questions like can I bring down the moon or the stars or what does it take for me to reach them, I once got an answer that a rocket can take me near to them. And then I got to know that astronomers are the people who get to outer space without penance J and they are very much humans and need not be reincarnations of angles or gods. Well that sparked the thought I believed astronomers are more blessed than us as they get to see more then earth in the vast creation of god. There started my love for the subject.

I grew with lot of fascination for astronomy. Wanted to be a scientist ….. until one day I had a encounter. At a tender age that I could correlate things, I was exposed to the pain of people, the hungry and the poor. In a debate, one questioned me, there are quite a few problems on earth that are not answered why does one want to spend huge money on probing the space. God made us to live on earth and we better stick to it. I lost the debate. The bottom line remained that research is something that exhausts resources but we cannot gauge them. Was in a state of confusion. But could not kill the love for the subject or pay a def ear to the sufferings on earth.

I am not in the field close to astronomy. Not into social service.  Living on tangent for now… reading on scientific articles and sometimes helping people in need. 

Akshardham

Believe me the detailed artistic majestic marvel swept me off my feet. I was with a group of people when I entered Akshardham. I already had high expectations on that place. Initially we went through a security check and we were asked to get rid of all the gadgets we had and also hanging purse but were allowed in with footwear. So by the time we comfortably walked in, we just had a jacket (as it was winter), money if any in our pockets. I had no money or any valuables with me that I had to be bothered about. But we had very little time in hand to get back!

As we walked in we were seeing great craftsmanship. It is not just a mechanical thing but I am sure people put in their heart and soul to it. We were appreciating each detail we came across. Firstly I noticed the 10 doors indicating welcoming and harnessing energy from 10 directions. Very well crafted! Each door had a perfect curtain formed by flowing threads of water. Then we came across the marble feet on to which water was pouring from four conch shells. It looked adorable. We came across well maintained gardens and beautiful sculptures in the temple exterior. The detailing looked very realistic. We were appreciating all that we saw and we were also finding time to discuss it with our group every now and then calling out each other. At the entrance of the main temple we had to leave our footwear. We entered the temple as a group and then ………..

Everyone had their jaws dropped and dwell in a state of trance. What a beauty, what an intricate design, sharpness, grace and accuracy in crafting. Every inch of the temple was crafted as it is the only square on earth. Designs not repeated much. We moved across and all around. Our eyes could not move across as there was so much to see in every inch. It took us long to realize that we are in a group and need to stay in a group. We went around and got a glimpse of the main deity and yet again were swept off. Every step ahead only gave us only one question, “What do you call this if you called the other marvelous?” no words, nothing can really define the beauty of the place. I am not a person who goes head over heels for human made things. I am more of a nature lover. But this time it was different. I was pampering myself taking the pride of being an Indian.

As we walked out we got a glimpse of the water surrounding the temple. Water was pouring in from cow faces made of bronze. When they turned the lights on, Oh! Wow!! It was as if the golden cows were pouring gold in.

No pictures can ever to justice to showcase the beauty of Akshardham. I would recommend everyone to see this place and it pays it all. 

Life always finds new avenues to stay motivated, stay thrilled and have some bliss.