Spiritual awakening at the coastal district (Nagapattinam)of Tamil Nadu.
 |
| Vailankanni Old Church |
What
draws all men and women to historic religious places? What is the purpose of
converging in a particular location to experience spirituality? I was on a trip
to witness it. My first visit was to Vailankanni Basilica located on the
seashore of Nagapattinam district. Being an iconic landmark for Christianity,
this holy place attracts people of all religions. Ardent devotion to Mother
Mary is evident in the vicinity.
Multiple churches have been erupted and the
imposing architect is a resemblance of British art forms. Large amount of
hotels and lodges have sprung up to accommodate the ever-flowing devotees. And
never to forget that Tsunami took its toll on December 26, 2004, leaving an air
of melancholy around the region.
 |
| Water Tank at Nagore Dargah |
My next
step was to Nagore Dargah, an Islamic holy place that too attracts devotees
from other religions. The mosque has multiple entries that one might get lost
inside the building. At centre placed the tomb of the Saint Shahul Hamid, who
helped people gain good health during 16th century. Just behind the mosque
is the huge water tank where the devotees take bath. As the day was sultry, I
soaked myself into the water for an hour. The exciting part of travelling is
meeting anonymous people and interacting with them. I made an acquaintance with
a schoolboy from Dindigul, who visited the place with his family.
Several
questions conceptualize in my mind from the visit to these two holy places; why
do people throng such landmarks? Is it out of unfettered devotion or driven by
desperation, to gain spiritual experience or prosperous life for oneself and
the family, to wash off their sins or to make room for committing more? Be it
anyway, the behavior of the devotees at these surroundings are remarkable, they
are kind, loving and warm-hearted. They are in a trance surrendering them
totally to a supreme power.
Comments