KALI

Shall we

stop here?

asks driver

ji

Sure

which

place

is this

??

i hear me ask

It is

a very old

Kali baadi

Biswanath ji

Says

Before

we hear the

entire story

i find us out

on the street

mind n i

feet

heading straight

for the temple

across to my right

we go

look around

the stone

steps leading up

but i don’t

know

what i am

looking for

Nice place

mind says

i hear

but..strangely

experience

deathly..

Silence

we take

the steps up

at the entrance

to the sanctum

i find the lady

smiling

n find myself

asking

no priest here

?

None I can see

exclaims the lady

I guess..we’ll have

to

pray from outside

we bend forward

to glance in

the towering deity

stares..unblinking

…from within

the high roofed

chamber

with small doors

for devotees

to look in

by the time

we turn around

the kind Lady

is not seen

not her peers too

but before us

on the ground

is placed

a brass vessel

with holy water

kept for all

to be consumed

after prayers

as we kneel

on the pedestal

to reach out

for the vessel

we lift the small lid

and

suddenly stretches

before us

unexpectedly

a pair

of open palms

amazed..

we look up

to see turbaned

folks

standing

with outstretched

arms

Please

Give

Us some

too

says one

speaking for the

two

without realizing

what to do

the copper spoon

takes a dip

n pours the drink

in each palm

poor mind

struggles to

express

it’s helplessness

to figure out

these covered up

persons

in warm tropical

noon

Never mind

dear one

it is their choice

their life

please don’t fear

give yourself some

time

it will all be clear

now..we head down

the steps of stone

Biswananthji enquires

whether the guest

liked the place

yes…

comes mind’s reply

firm n quiet

in all the noise

That’s nice..

Biswanathji replies

turns the ignition

on

says..this ancient

place used to be

where dacoits stop

to seek Ma’s

blessings

for their night’s

work..

But this jagruth

devi

several come here

daily

just

as powerful

as before

this jagruth devi

due to ancient

dacoit lore..

Children’s

favourite..

Became famous

as

Dakaith Kaali