The Golden Temple of Sri Lakshmi Narayani, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India

On a sultry summer's day, we drove down to Vellore,crotons, season flowers, sculptures, and even a
to see the grand Hindu religious structure called the Sriman-made waterfall. We were told that the entire
Lakshmi Narayani Golden Temple. This temple drawsconcept of such pleasant surroundings is that a person
hordes of tourists from all parts of the country. Fromwho is on a spiritual quest, should unburden all his
the city of Bangalore, this is exactly 180 kms away,worries and anxieties before approaching the Divine.
located in the state of Tamil Nadu, and can be doneThe huge water body which ran alongside, filled with
as a one day trip. With the help of a local contact, wecoins and bangles, was purportedly to rid oneself of
were able to locate the temple easily. Entry tickets tonegative emotions: water is said to be a great
the temple are done from the ticket counters. For theabsorber of negative vibrations.
elderly and disabled, there was a special facility of aWe were so carried away by the beautiful
wheel-chair, along with an attendant, which we quicklysurroundings, that the heat and hardship of the journey
availed of for the senior citizen of the family.were quickly forgotten. All of a sudden, we reached a
We left our shoes and our entire belongings, includingsloping plinth which led up our target: the wonderful,
cell-phone, handbags, and cameras in the car, for weextraordinary, awesome and dazzling Golden Temple.
had been told that there was a strict security systemThe Golden Temple of Vellore is built with around 1,400
in the temple. Our experience started from here. Oncekgs of gold. Intricately carved, and maintained with
out of the car, we literally hopped, skipped and jumpedamazing care, this temple is the stuff dreams are
to the main temple gate, for the tar was burning hotmade of. The founder of this temple, Guru Sri Sakthi
and scalded the underside of our feet. To our relief,Amma, philosophises that a potential devotee will be
the entire pathway from the gate had mosaic flooring,drawn to God if there is something to attract him to a
and a damp jute carpeting had been provided forspiritual place, and hence the concept of this mega
tourists to stand on. Fortunately for us, we did notvaluable temple.
have to wait in the queue for too long.On reaching the idol of Sri Lakshmi Narayani, we were
The entire path to the temple was star-shaped,drawn like a magnet. Call it faith, devotion or sheer
following the traditional Hindu pattern. The Goldenattraction, there is something startlingly attractive about
Temple is built right in the heart of this star-shapedthe Goddess, an embodiment of Shakti (Durga,
pathway, which covers an entire distance of about 2Saraswati and Maha Lakshmi). Any religious
kms. The pathway is cool, built of marble, and hasexperience is a highly personal one, and so is this. I had
covered corridors. At each of the "points" of the star,once read a comment on the internet (before my visit)
a provision for drinking water and a resting place waswhich said, " This must be what Heaven looks like."
given. People looked happy and cheerful with thisOwing to a strict ban on cameras here, and I was
arrangement, and so did we. It gives great solace tounable to click any personal snaps. Most tourists and
think that clean drinking water is close at hand on a hotpilgrims prefer to stay a night here, in order to glimpse
summer's day, even though you're not desperate for athe temple by night. Lit up, the Golden Temple is truly a
drink just then.dazzling and amazing sight to behold.
Through the entire walk down this star shapedIt can be stated confidently that the Golden Temple of
structure, a marvellous landscaped gardenVellore is one of the must-see spots for anyone
accompanies you. This comprises lush green grass,travelling in South India!