An Indian Temple Festival Poem by Valsa George

An Indian Temple Festival

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A huge crowd thronged the temple premises
Its vicinity, already bursting with color
And bustling with people in hundreds streaming in
The young and the old clad in festal attire
With fire in their hearts and festive sheen in their eyes
Not driven by piety, but mostly to enjoy the fanfare

Festoons decorated the trees that lined the compound
Colorful lamps were blinking everywhere
Sacred bells kept chiming intermittent
At the auspicious hour, as devotional songs rent the air
The chief deity was brought out of the shrine
And was placed on the caparisoned elephant
Accompanied by pulsating percussion ensemble
The devotees cheered witnessing the majestic entourage
Within them the fervid spring of joy swelled
Colorful umbrellas were being unfurled
Drawing synchronized patterns in the air

Under the glare and noise, the heat and sweat
Amid the tumultuous beat of trumpets
And the rhythmic sounding of cymbals
The crowd swayed in psychedelic lassitude

An army of hawkers had already set up shops
Each made it a time to earn some bucks
Selling knickknacks and goodies to tempt children
From ice creams to popcorn and colorful balloons
Children ran around licking cotton candies
Some enjoyed blowing up soap bubbles
And iridescent orbs landing softly on their hair and dress

With dusk fall, the ceremonious fire work began
The crowd stood aghast at the pyrotechnic display
Scintillating colors and confetti of sparks painted the sky
Shooting spears rose high and fluorescent rainbow colors
Came dancing down while fire wheels swiveled on the ground
Deadening roar of crackers and thunderous blast of balls
Tore the sky announcing the sleepy world;
‘It was once again festival time for the people to rejoice! '

An Indian Temple Festival
Thursday, November 10, 2016
Topic(s) of this poem: festival
COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Zwelethu Siwaphiwe Shweni 11 November 2016

Wonderful poem - the picture is so nice, well dressed elephants! This is nice, and the festive itself seems to be the cultural event also. Thank you for sharing this poem.

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Geeta Radhakrishna Menon 11 November 2016

A wonderful poem with a wonderful photograph. The temple festivals of Kerala are marked by colourful decorations, sacred bells and varied performing art forms like dance, music and drums. The 'Tayambaka' and 'Pancha Vadyam' are famed for its typical kerala flavour. Valsa, i loved the way you have described the temple festival. Enjoyed reading. Full honour and thanks!

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Akhtar Jawad 11 November 2016

A beautiful description, I felt as if I am myself present in the festival. Indian festivals are interesting and attractive.

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B.m. Biswas 12 November 2016

really we visualize the mirthful atmosphere.......a nice description...the diction is high to make the narration impressive....... you remind me the KUMBHA MELA......i was present for 3 days in last prayag..ALLAHABAD...kumbhomela.... i bathed in the mingling water of GANGA and JAMUNA.......WHAT a scenery! ! Indian festival has a deep importance and effect to national integrity........your poem serves such.

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Kumarmani Mahakul 22 October 2019

You have aptly and vividly captured the vibrant temple festival atmosphere of Kerala. Amusing expression. Nice penmanship. Thank you dear madam for sharing this devotional poem.

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Your poem is really taking me to my boyhood euphoria on getting lost in the cheering crowd of a temple premises, at times sipping hot black coffee to keep sleep at bay till the colourful fireworks ends with a green signal. Thank you very much Valsa George

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Kumarmani Mahakul 20 July 2018

Under the glare and noise, the heat and sweat Amid the tumultuous beat of trumpets And the rhythmic sounding of cymbals The crowd swayed in psychedelic lassitude.........So touching. It is a beautiful poem on Indian temple festival with nice inscription. Enjoyed with attractive photo provided.

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Jaishree Nair 17 November 2016

The temple festival beautifully captured. The words aptly placed to create the imagery...Thank you..

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Tajudeen Shah 16 November 2016

It seems that instincts got wings to fly off to the temple premises! Your verses, as always, as they are destined, made us all, those who have viewed before and me, feel being there. Very much detailed. I miss those delicacies you listed.. ah. wish, as the blessed O N V Kurup versed, oru vattam koodi, , , moham. About your mastery in composing experiences and observations, I better not dare to. God bless.

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Valsa George 16 November 2016

Thank you dear Tajudeen for your sweet comment.....! Glad to hear from you after such a long gap! Yes, Oru Vattom koodi.....

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