3.45pm. The Lord’s procession is to start from the temple at 4pm. The devotees are all over the place--- outside the gate, on the balconies of the nearby shops and houses, along the procession route. I am also part of the crowd of devotees, having arrived here from Indore just 10 minutes back with three of my colleagues. We try to find the best space from where we could see the palanquin carrying the Lords’ idol after it is brought out of the temple to be taken out in a procession.
As the minutes pass by, crowd swells. But there is no chaos, no disorder. The devotees are waiting patiently. I keep moving to and fro to ensure that the crowd doesn’t block my view of the Lord’s procession. The excitement around me grows. Only one thought prevails in the minds of all present--- not to miss darshan of the Lord as he moves out in his city.
Everyone tries to squeeze closer to the barricade that has been put up to prevent people from coming in the way of the procession. And then all eyes turn towards the temple main gate . The palanquin carrying the idol of the lord is brought out. I try to stand tall on my toes… for this is a sight not be missed. The procession moves and all I manage to see is the top of the palanquin. I move ahead from my place where the road takes a slight bend. The pace of the procession slows a bit. I once again try to look over the heads in front of me. Some of them move aside and I manage to get a glimpse of the lord. The moment seems to freeze. I am blessed. The procession moves on. I smile and look at my colleagues. The feeling is same. As the crowd thins a bit, we decide to go inside the temple.
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