Hindu Temple

There are a lot of Indian people in Nadi. So much so that I feel like I'm in India; I mean having never been to India.... but in my imagination, it kind of feels like India with perhaps a slightly different climate and foliage. I'm thinking India might actually be more crowded and more third world, perhaps dirtier then Nadi. But that's my imagination.

Nadi is actually pronounced "nahn-dee" with the n being ever so slightly present. Lots of Figi words add extra consonants in them. For instance, Bula which is the traditional greeting is actually pronounced "mboo-luh". Ever so slight, almost a nasally sounding m before the b. Like purse your lips to make the b sound, and then clinch your nose closed at the same time. This will make the exact "mb" sound.

I've never visited a Hindu temple before, but I was very eager to do so, and jumped at Peter's offer to take me. I asked if I was dressed appropriately to go, as I was wearing my shortest of shorts and nothing but straps on my shoulders. With my new friend Peter and our developing story that surrounded the origins of our relationship, I was equipped. Peter would accompany me and show me what to do.

We approached the entrance, and I paid a $5 FJ entrance fee. (Too bad it wasn't lunch time yet.) I was given two red sarongs, and instructed to tie one around my waist and the other over my shoulders. Peter placed the fabric on my back and shoulders, and I wrapped it around and tucked it securely under my purse strap. We removed our shoes, and we were ready to enter.

I was instructed that photos were permitted outside of the temple, but not inside. I silently observed that the temple is set up along the same lines of the Levitical tabernacle. I was well educated on the Bible, both old and new testaments and read the Bible through many times. There were detailed lessons on the tabernacle as well, likening the levels of the tabernacle to the deepening levels of worship and communion with God. There are three levels or area of the tabernacle. There is the outer court of the tabernacle that was open to everyone, the inner court that was limited to certain persons, and then the holy of holies that was limited to only the priest at specified times. The lesson continued that at the time of the crucifixion of Jesus, who became the ultimate sacrifice for all sin, there was an earthquake and the curtain to the holy of holies was torn apart signifying that God's people no longer had to depend on a priest or make sacrifices to come to God.

I found it interesting that the Hindu temple has a similar layout. It has the outer court where you can take photos and speak more freely, then the inner court where photos are not allowed and people are praying. Then in the center of the temple is a restricted area limited to devotees only. This area is completely enclosed with just a doorway, and I could not see inside.

The temple is beautiful. The colors are bright, the architecture ornate, and each painted mural tells a story. I wish I had more time to know all the stories.Læs mere