Kishori Yatra – Easter 2009: Day Four – Jai Hanuman!

Our fourth day coincided with Hanuman Jayanti, so after a very short morning program at home, we made our way to the temple, where I gave a short presentation on Hanuman. We talked about what lessons we can learn from his exemplary character, then acted out a song about the time he tried to catch the sun. This song comes from a production of the Ramayana, performed by children of the New Mayapur (France) gurukula, about twenty years ago. I performed it too, when I was about nine years old – so it was fun to pass it on…

We talked a lot about Hanuman’s inexhaustible desire to serve Lord Rama, and before long, it was time to get stuck into some service ourselves! Armed with dusters and polishing spray, we started on the temple room ceiling, and made our way down to the floor. Even the picture frames got some much needed attention.

Afterwards we had some time to make thank you cards for the Swansea devotees. Their sincere care for us was really heartwarming, and all of the girls put a lot of effort into creating beautiful tokens of our gratitude.

Later, as the rain began to pour again we walked around the coastal village of Mumbles, just down the road from Swansea. Everyone’s favourite place was the old fashioned sweet shop, where Janaki decided to buy perhaps the most disgusting sweets ever made – sour lemons. We all tried to eat at least one each – some found it easier than others…

Janaki (and her moustache) survey the sweet selection…

Rosie passes the sour lemon test (then everyone had to have a go!)

In the evening, the girls took a (rare) quiet moment to write postcards that we’d bought in Mumbles to themselves, reminding them of important thoughts, realisations or goals that they wanted to remember from the trip – we’ll post them in a few months!