On Friday I invited two of my colleagues to join me on my wanderings in Essex. One of them was not interested in visiting the church at Waltham Abbey. Though I tried to convince him to undertake a new experience he did not welcome it. Another factor that put both my colleagues off was the plan to leave Luton at seven in the morning. It seemed an unearthly hour to their weekend routines. One of them complained of being too busy with other things. Another preferred the lazy comfort of a weekend at home.
So I did my walk alone in Essex as planned but one of them agreed to join me today on an afternoon visit to Bhaktivedanta Manor, the principal ISKCON temple in the UK. We left at half past one. We took a slow train to Radlett and walked through town towards Aldenham. We passed many beautiful houses, each with its own garden, driveway and garage. The richness of Hertfordshire was evident in that short walk of a quarter of an hour.
Our main purpose had been to partake of the prasadam, food blessed by the grace of the Lord. Although we had arrived late there was still much left. We had a satisfying meal. We then walked in the gardens surrounding this mock-Tudor manor house. The temple and garden were completely isolated from the world outside. Plants and trees shut out the roads, the traffic, a neighbouring pub and the houses beyond. There was peace everywhere. The garden afforded some pleasant walks. Except for a few formal beds, most of the garden was informal and free in a natural way. Devotees had a hand in only maintaining what nature had provided. There was no enforced landscaping or colourful display of flowers. Perhaps if I were to come again in summer my view would be different. We noted the conservatories housing the revered tulsi plant (Indian basil). We turned to view the goshaala, a place for cows that supply milk for the temple. This is where the idyllic peace was temporarily broken. We had to pass through a packed car park with cars moving in and out, kicking up dust and crunching down gravel.
Any place or building can be a temple if we wish it to be so. A manor house, completely English in style and form, resembles nothing at all to an Indian temple. This does not prevent these devotees from using is as a Hindu temple. We made a brief visit to the prayer hall which was packed on this occasion of Ramleela. Some devotees chanted the Maha Mantra. Others sat silently. Some closed their eyes in meditation. A few, like the two of us, looked here and there, distracted and purposeless. The overall mood was peaceful. The rhythmic repetition of the mantra brings about peace and calm. This repetition may seem ordered but the emotions and moods that go with the words are spontaneous.
The place was busy with visitors. Most devotees were Gujaratis. The priests kept busy with their daily chores: chanting, singing, serving, cleaning, interacting and educating. In a lively and active place like this there was little motivation to examine the architecture.
