A date with Divinity
‘HI dear, how are you?’ Shubhangi was on the line, ‘It’s February already and we haven’t yet met this year. How about meeting up this Saturday?’
‘Oh sure, but when and where?’ I piped with glee. When we meet, we meet as threesome (Shubhangi, Shaila and me) Our kids are welcome to join. Kids are now teenagers and barring a few occasions we have always been meeting as threesome. We spend a day together and go home happy and contended to have spent a carefree day with all the liberty to let our hair down, indulge in favorite food and fill our quota to the brim of all talk including girl talk. So I was just too eager to meet.
‘This time we are planning to go to Gorai to see the Pagoda!’ –Shubhangi
‘Oh , I am game’
‘Wonderful! We will meet up at Borivli station at 9 am’ –Shubhangi
As usual each one of us packed a meal (always with some surprises) and met, to proceed to Gorai. At Gorai we had to cross the creek by a ferry. The quay was teeming with people fully lined up mostly with youngsters in groups who had come picnicking to Esselworld. While the queue was long and winding, the stench of decayed fish had filled the environment. With the sun showing bright on the top, it was just too sickening. Luckily for us, the queue was moving very fast and in no time we were aboard the launch and set sail.
It’s just a 15 minutes ride and within minutes, we could see the golden Pagoda standing tall amongst the mangroves and trees all lined up at the shore. No sooner did the launch dock at the other side of the creek , all young and old headed to the gates. One gate opens to Esselworld and Water kingdom while the other gate opens to the Pagoda.
After the initial security check as we walked past the meditation centre, a world of fantasy unfolded before us. The huge ornate gate with two lion statues welcomed the visitors. Peacock frescos adorned the pillars of the gate and the Burmese styled structure is a tribute to Myanmar who had so painstakingly preserved through generations the meditative teachings of Buddha and Vipassana.
The entrance to the Pagoda is flanked by statues of bell carriers on one side and drum carriers on the other. The steps to the Pagoda are welcoming and smooth and the expanse is so huge that one is dwarfed by the sheer size. As we finish the steps two huge elephant statuettes in vajrasan mudra pay obeisance to the Divine. The global Pagoda envisioned by Satyanarayanji Goenka is homage to the seers and Myanmar.
It is constructed entirely through donations world wide (so the word ‘Global’) be it the land or the intricately carved wooden doors of Burma Teak. The biggest and the best have been used to render the Pagoda as one of the most exclusive monument of modern India. The metallic flag studded with rubies and diamonds, the three foot long crystal housed on the pinnacle, the spire of gold – its extravaganza with élan. The rest of the pagoda is covered in gold paint. It is laced with a canopy intricately carved .It is painted in gold and red. It serves as a catchment for rain water harvesting. The spire is topped with a special ornamental umbrella piece donated by the Burmese. The cherry on the topping is that this pagoda houses relics of Buddha that adds to the energy of the structure.
The foundation of the dome consists of basalt, while the dome itself is made from sandstone imported from Rajasthan. The individual blocks of sandstone weigh 600–700 kg each and are joined by lime mortar. The key stone at the top is about 8 tonnes and balances the huge structure. The circumambulation path is laid in marble.
As we were walking along this path, suddenly we heard screeching sounds followed with cackled laughter. There were plenty of voices intermingled into continuous moaning shrieks. The noise perplexed us for a minute. Soon we realized that they were the outpourings of the populace taking rides in the Esselworld. What a contrast, I thought to myself. Housed together were two structures – one an acknowledgment of man’s need for entertainment and other satiates his spiritual urge.
Since we were not Vipassana sadhaks , we were not allowed inside the dome. Yet not wanting to give up, we sat and meditated on the bench just outside one of the gates of the dome. It was one of the most divine deep meditations that refreshed and rinsed us internally.
As we saw all this in awe, there was more to come. The video gallery narrates in detail the making of the Pagoda .The art gallery with its large paintings on the life of Buddha coupled with the commentary of each painting is a treat nay feast to the eyes.
As we wound up for the day, there was just one thought.We surely need to carve out ten days for the Vipassana course. The journey back home was with a heart full and flowing to the brim. Thanks Shubhangi and Shaila, for making my day!
Anagha Hunnurkar
5th February 2012
How interesting! A Pagoda right here in Mumbai! How magical. Almost surreal. You created a lovely story of your restoration getaway with your friends. I didn't much care for the comparison with Esselworld. For me the journey to and inside was great. Thanks for writing and sharing.
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