A different look of Annapurna

It was 7:25 am on the clock, the local time of Indore, the largest city in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. A matter was popping out in my head after waking up. Still, I was in drowsiness, not keen to leave the bed now. I again pulled the thin blanket over my head. But the matter was hitting me hard. I was thinking about where I can go today.  As I waked up so early in the morning, I did not agree to miss it, I was thinking to visit several places of Indore. At one stage, I had to leave the comfortable bed. Without preparations and extra freshness, I just wore trousers and keds. Indore was witnessing the arrival of winter, so I had to wear a thin jacket for going out.

After crossing the road in front of the hotel, I reached Mahatma Gandhi road. There is no pressure of vehicles in Indore, an arranged and beautiful city! In the last two days, I understood that the roads here are not as noisy as in Dhaka. In generally, Indore is the city of less traffic, a few number of vehicles was seen in this area that morning. The most of the roads were empty. A few auto-rickshaws were seen here and there. Health conscious people were seen running lightly. Some elder people were walking aimlessly. I walked around an area that was looked like a residential area. It was seemed that the whole area is still sleeping. Morning has not started yet!

There was a mobile phone in my trouser pocket. There was no scope to easily detect calls. There was no one in that country who will phone me so early in the morning. The mobile phone was just kept to see time. As soon as I took out my mobile phone from my pocket, I noticed many messages in my messenger apps. Loved ones from the country have remembered. It was almost ten o’clock in Bangladesh, and my watch showed twenty minutes past nine. I felt hungry as I walked many time. I had a plan to visit Annapurna Temple. ‘As you think, you do so’, I took a decision suddenly to go to Annapurna Temple and planned to take breakfast somewhere on the way.

Then I remembered my head of the department Uday Hakim Sir. Many times, I accompanied him during his official tours. When he used to go outside Dhaka for official or other purposes, I used to give him details of a new place. He never agrees to miss visiting any important place of a new destination.  He always carries a small notebook with him and writes something when he thinks. Most of time, he keeps everything in memory. He always collects and saves a lot of information as he writes travel stories.

                                                                  The temple premises

It was half past nine when I left for Annapurna. After standing for some time, I got an auto-rickshaw. I rented it for one hundred and thirty rupees. I was alone but felt better, the environment was very wonderful!  The auto-rickshaw driver was an excellent person. He asked - where did I come from? I said, Bangladesh. He wanted to know why I came, when I came, how long I will stay, what is my job in the cricket tournament, etc. I told him shortly. I showed him some photos from my mobile phone while his auto-rickshaw was running.  Suddenly, the driver stopped the auto-rickshaw to see the photos attentively. He looked at the photos carefully. There were some photos of my company’s branding, photos of me, photos  of some players and photos of handing over awards to players in international matches.  Looking at the photos, he turned his head and looked at me. It was seemed that he has committed a great crime for taking me in his auto-rickshaw! People associated with the cricket are not allowed to ride this auto- such is the feeling. I am thinking, he will drop me from the auto-rickshaw. But nothing happened. Surprising me, he started running and talking about Bangladesh's misfortune in the last T20 matches. When he heard that I had come to Indore for the first time, he tried to talk many things of Annapurna Temple. But I didn’t understand all the words due to language problem and rough sound of the auto-rickshaw, I only said “Hmm-ha, really, very well”. I also heard about his family and house. The auto-rickshaw stopped in front of the temple. It took about thirty minutes to reach there.

The main gate built on the backs of four large elephant sculptures is able to woo any tourist or guest. There are huge amazing craftsmanship signs in the stone built gate.  It is so beautiful that it is very difficult for one to turn his or her eyes away! Looking at those, one has to think - how did the artists do the works so perfectly. The small idols look like the idols of Hindu gods and goddesses or kings and queens. Besides, goddess on horse card, statue of royal commander standing with sword, fishman statue, statues of common people, etc attract any one. If you look closely at the entire works, it will be seemed an image of a royal palace. The main gate of the temple is next to the main road. I felt hesitation as I did not know tickets are not needed to enter inside the temple. I noticed two people entered the premises without tickets. Seeing that, I also entered.

It should be better to say a little about Indore. Indore is the largest and most populous city in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. Even it is big more than Bhopal, the capital of this province. The total area of the city is five hundred and thirty square kilometers or two hundred square miles. The population is about twenty eight lakh. Bollywood superstar Salman Khan was born in Indore. Rajwada Palace, Lalbagh Palace and Annapurna Temple are the famous places in Indore. This temple is located in Kranti Kriplani area of Indore’s Sudama Nagar. Thousands of people visit this temple every year. Some come as tourists, some come to fulfill various wishes, some come as pilgrims and some come to just visit the temple.  Tourists become pleasant seeing the extraordinary architectural beauty inside and outside the temple. On the other hand, this temple is a place of pilgrimage for Hindu community. According to locals, it is not like other temples. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Annapurna who is known as the Hindu Goddess of food and nourishment.

                                                          A partial view of the temple

There are another three separate temples inside the premises. Every temple was seen full of people. Some people were engaged in worship by igniting incense sticks and offering flowers. A standing old man dressed in a gerua color (Saffron) dhoti is reading something in an open space. Men and women of various ages, sitting in a semi-circle in front of him, are listening to his recitation. Like our Muslims listen to khutba of imams in the Jumma prayers on Friday.

Visitors are allowed to enter the temple premises from 5am to 10 pm every day, but they are not allowed to enter the temple for two hours from 12 pm to 2 pm. After entering from the main gate, the first thing we saw the statue of Goddess Annapurna. Goddess sits on the throne. The statue shows she is taking something from a vessel holding in the left hand and her other hand is giving it to a person standing in front her. Behind the goddess, two female servants are standing. I asked two people about the actual age of the temple. One said that the temple was established in 1895 AD.  But I could not believe his words as he told me without confidence.

Finally, I understand this temple is very old one. There is no shortage of craftsmanship. Not only outside the main gate, but also inside the gate is incredibly beautiful. I look around. I noticed there are many variations in the worship inside the temple. Like Muslims, Shia and Sunni communities have many similarities and differences.

                                                             The place of worship   

I reached the big door of the biggest building. Renovation works are underway. Two or four people are roaming with barefoot. Shoes are not allowed inside. I did not enter as there was nothing to see inside. I also noticed many servants who were taking care of the temple. They were busy for various works. It is a place of worship, so serving it is also a proper virtue.

I came to the front gate of the temple and saw the four elephants again. This short trip will not be complete without taking some photos of such a beautiful gate. I crossed the road and stood on the opposite side of the gate and I took a photo.  But if I don't take at least one photo of myself, no one will believe that I came here. No one was found who will help take a photo of me.  At that time, an auto-rickshaw stopped beside me. Mentioning the name of the hotel, I tried to rent it. After bargaining, the driver agreed. I told him, please, help me to take a photo.