God everywhere

We realized we don't know much about the world's religions but we've observed some things. Every morning we wake up to the sounds of the local mosque issuing the call to prayer to us and all our Hindu neighbors. I assume they think we're hard of hearing because they crank the volume up for us. The call is nice but the tunes aren't catchy. During our breakfast in the guesthouse where we are staying, they continually play the Hare Krishna song. I didn't know any place other than an airport or anyone not in the cast of Hair actually sang that song. At least it's easy to learn the words and a pleasant way to start the day.

Baha'i Lotus Temple

We visited two temples this week. The first was the Baha'i Lotus Temple. It's an extremely modern building in the form of a nine-sided marble and glass lotus. The interior is a large hall with no statues or icons. I read the handout describing their beliefs. They seem to accept all major religious beliefs. At home these people would vote a straight Democratic ticket. These people seem to be quintessential Type B personalities.

The second temple we visited was a Hindu temple dedicated to a Swami who lived in the early 1800's. We went there expecting something out of the Jungle Book. What we found was a huge complex covering 100 acres and more security than an airport. They wouldn't allow food, electronics, or about anything else in the temple. Beebee was carrying a guidebook and they made her check it at the door. However, inside there were snack places, a food court, guidebooks, visit photos, etc. for sale. Most of the complex was free but there were three optional halls with a small admission fee (125 rupees - about $3). One was an Imax-type theatre, the second a series of rooms with animatronics explaining the Swami's life, and the third a water ride through the history of India similar to Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean but more educational The Baha'i may be nice people but they need to pick up their game to compete with this!