Having access to the internet at the KL
temple allowed me to catch up with the outside world. I sent messages
to those back home and then received a lovely one from Alex who had
spent the first week with me at the Farm.
She was working a Workaway
in Melaka and had seen the posters for the Rathyatra. Hoping that we
could meet up she sent me a message asking if I would be there.
I replied that I would love to see her and we arranged to meet up at the
rear of the chariot.
As I sat waiting at the temple I
realised that I was not exactly sure where Melaka was. For that
matter Penang, Georgetown, and Lanchang were just places I had been
to without really knowing their precise location!
I google searched the map of Malaysia
and was amazed to discover just how much travelling I had done!!
I studied the maps for about an hour as
people departed in mini-buses and cars. My lift had been arranged by
Simheswara but again I realised I didn't know exactly who I was going
with! Control of my life had been passed over to the Universe and in
a relaxed sort of way the Universe was doing a great job.
My lift arrived in a shining new car
with air conditioning and exquisite internal designs. A huge array of
buttons and lights adorned the dashboard while the softest of carpet
lay under my feet. I settled to enjoy the hour drive to Melaka
chatting with my host of life and beliefs.
At Melaka I discovered a slight flaw
with my plans to meet up with Alex. THREE large chariots were parked
outside the temple as devotees chanted and danced in anticipation to
the Deities arrival.
Melaka or Malacca was founded by Parameswara, the last Raja of
Singapura (present day Singapore) Following an attack by the
Majapahit in 1377, he found his way to Malacca around 1400.
According to a popular legend, Parameswara was resting under a
tree near a river during a hunt, when one of his dogs cornered a
mouse deer. In self-defence, the mouse deer pushed the dog into the
river. Impressed by the courage of the deer, and taking it as a
propitious omen of the weak overcoming the powerful, Parameswara
decided then and there to found an empire on that very spot. He named
it 'Melaka' after the tree where he had just taken shelter at, the
Melaka Tree.
The streets are narrow and enchanting and due to its wonderful
history the entire Old Town is protected from development. Towering
buildings surround the old town but hidden in its mists you feel like
you are in a different world.
Signs adorn the roads banning drinking and smoking on the streets.
Craft shops cram local and imported arts into impossibly small areas.
Suddenly in the mists of the crowds and chariots Alex appeared
beaming her incredible smile! The guest house she was working at was
opposite the Temple and she had spotted me before I was even aware of
her presence.
We hugged and laughed about the way Krsna kept involving her in
his festivals, we filled in the gaps of our time apart, talked about
our plans for the next week, sang and swayed with the dancing
devotees before with a final hug, Alex returned to her guest house.
Her Workaway shift was 6pm to 11pm each evening and as the opening
ceremony came to its conclusion and the chariots began to move, she
returned to direct more of the Hostels guests to the party outside.
With three chariots to chose from I wandered from one to one as
the procession wound its way along the narrow roads.
The Russian devotees were once again leading a huge San Kirtan by
Jagannaths chariot.
Smaller groups played enthusiastically before Subahdra and
Baladeva.
Groups of ladies danced in front of Subahdra swaying gracefully in
their beautiful saris.
I had treated myself to cartels (hand cymbols) and joined in with
the music, stopping from time to time to help with the distribution
of the prasadam tapioca chips and nuts.
The giving of prasadam is always a highlight of the procession and
knowing I had helped slightly in its production gave me a warm glow.
As evening fell the chariots lights shone out illuminating the
area and faces of the dancing congregation. Although the route around
the old town was not extensive, the roads were incredibly narrow in
places and the procession progressed slowly.
Every twenty meters the entire procession came to a halt as shop
keepers offered trays overflowing with gifts.
Tiny toddlers had been dressed as Krsna and were held up to see
the Deities as we passed.
Every road we traveled along had the no smoking signs and I
realised that there was no where in the old town that allowed public
smoking!
Public drinking was also frowned upon!
We passed along a wide avenue filled with illuminated bicycle
rickshaws all of which blasted out music from the most recent films.
The theme to Frozen was popular as was the classic song Small World but at
the volumes at which they were being played, no one could distinguish between
each song until a cacophony of sounds filled the air.
The drums and chanting of the procession added to the noise and
when the fireworks started I felt my hearing would never be the same
again!
At the large staged area in the park the chariots were lined up as
each became a stage in its own right.
More offerings were made and
continued to be made throughout the evening, while on stage beautiful
girls in beautiful costumes, performed beautiful dances full of
stories and songs.
I ate my fill of prasadam, I filled my heart with music, I filled
my senses with celebrations.
Four Rathyatras in just over two weeks
and I still had the Kuala Lumpa one to come!!
How Blessed was I!!!
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