My first temple visit!
I was going to wait for saturday to go to temple for the first time but something just made me go today after work! It ended up being a Dhanur Masa Puja day which was a great experience.
When I got to the temple, about a 1/2 hour early, I looked around the main room and found that they have a space reserved for all of the major Gods/Goddesses. Once people started to arive I realised I forgot to bring offering so I decided I would hand back, but when the priest noticed he just smiled and waved me forward insisting that I participate in everything. Overall everyone, while not talkative, was very welcoming and seemed at ease when they saw I was doing my best to participate not just watching them.
Once things wound down a very nice man, whose first time at this particular temple was that night, came over and asked how long I had attended. After I told him it was only my first night he was very talkative about how wonderful it was to see people coming to the faith. We also talked a bit about what brought us closer to Hinduism overall which was nice.
After most of the people left, around 2 and 1/2 hours, the priest came over to ask how I liked the service and see if I had any questions. We talked a bit and he suggested I come in for as many services as I can that way I can ask questions about things as they come up naturally instead of getting an info overload. I am also going back to temple this Sunday morning as the priest is going to try and match me up with someone to help teach me Hindi.
Overall I am immensely happy with my experience, and happy that the temple is close enough to my work that I can make daily visits on the mornings that the temple is open early enough.
Just thought I would shoot an update out there.
Keep it as simple as possible; but not any simpler.
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