Abode of Peace

An offering, a promise, a wish,

Was all that I knew,

In visiting temples from north to south,

Holy dips, cleansing sins, praying lips,

Was all that I was aware,

As I sailed from east to west of India.

Idols bejewelled by glittering gold, 

Worshipping deities with milk and honey,

Sacrificing animals in God's name,

And leaving money in donation box,

Is a practice flowing down the ages,

In temples of our cities and villages.

But a hamlet differs in all these directions,

That bewilders by happenings over here,

For I've seen a Moving Shrine,

In simple ochre robe, whose charm,

Exceeds the grandeur of all golden idols,

And the place, a very Paradise on Earth.

People from all walks of life reach here,

To sacrifice beastly qualities but not animals,

Exchanging currency of goodness and not wealth,

It's the only Temple on land of mortals,

That doesn't extend a charitable box,

A symbol of Love, an Abode of Peace.

- Raja Sekhar Ganta -

(From his book "108 Heart Beats")