Seeking Solace

Seeking for the stories, I went again to Virupaksha temple. It was 5^th day of the course. More than mythology or history, I was seeking for the stories of the people. People, who lived in the temple, people who worked in the temple, in 15^th century as well as today. I wanted to explore the untold history, the stories that none of the guides knew, neither the history books.

I met one elderly person. He came to Hampi a few years back. He assured that he will talk with me after 6 pm, when the rush is less. So I did.

He used to work in some factory in a nearby city. On day he met with an accident and lost his toe. He also lost his job due to the accident. He got mentally disturbed and left his home. In search for solace, he reached Hampi. He found his Peace there, and decided to settle in the temple. Now, he lives in the temple, manages the shoe stand outside the Virupaksha temple, and earns his living.

He told one story about the Gopura, the entrance structure of the Virupaksha Temple. When the structure was getting built, the second floor was not standing despite several efforts. It fell 3 times. After consulting with some saint, he said that a pregnant woman has to sacrifice herself so that the tower will stand. According to the need, one pregnant woman did sacrifice herself and even today the 165 ft high Gopura is standing proudly.

Gopura

Truthfulness of these stories is always questionable. And to believe them or not is one’s own choice. But what I wonder is, this story was true for him. He believed in, and yet he could find his peace in that place. I think, for him, sacrifice for the holy cause, was a great thing. So he could find his solace in that place. Again, it’s the approach that matters. He got his life back together in that place, and for me, it was a horrifying story.