Re-The other side of my thoughts on Puri

[Guest guest]

I am responding, because of an experience that I had in India, just

two months ago. The trend in India is changing. Temples like Puri,

are now letting Hindu's into there gates, no matter what color there

skin is. I spent nine days in Varanasi, in both Vishwanath and

Anapurna temples. On both of there gates, there is a sign stating

that only Hindu's are allowed through there gates. This formally

meant only Indian born Hindu's, not even expatriate's were allowed.

The VHP gave our group special dispensation, to enter any temple, as

Hindu's. Our attitude and devotion won over many nay-sayers, and we

were given a letter of access for both temples. I believe that most

temples that restrict access are afraid of the typical American

tourist, but the additional income and a new view of many

conservative foreign Hindu organizations are changing the way the

west is viewed in India. The worst problem, I had, was the commonly

held notion that all Americans Hindu's were Hari Krishna, and in

fact, it was a common insult to refer to some one as Hari Rama Hari

Krishna. Even though I am not Vaisnava, I found it difficult to

stomach, that a name of god could be an insult.

 

P.S. Sorry about the two blank e-mails. I am trying out new a new

e-mail software...it's not quite right yet.

 

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Swami Vittalananda Saraswati

 

vittala

 

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Om Satyanandaya Vidmahe

Maha Bhaktaya Dhimahi

Tanno Chandih Prachodayat

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