The Do(n)m of Koln - Euro Trip 12

Do you know why babies cry when they are born? One of my friends gave birth recently and I was wondering about this topic, I looked it up (not all of them are satisfying explanations to say) and this is what I found. When the baby is in the womb, it gets oxygen through the chord, this respiratory system closes down during birth and baby is forced to take the first breath of air which is painful. So it cries.

Virgin Mary by entrance- life size, click to see the intricate works of art

Crying also helps in filling the lungs, which is much needed at the start of every life. Delayed breathing might cause complications like brain damage, cerebral palsy or even god forbid (sadly India tops up this mortality rate in the world) So the next time you crib over something you cannot handle, think about this. You are one in million to have conceived, one in billion to have developed with abilities, made through delivery and fought for your right to breath, your right to live!

few of numerous sculptures that adore her church.

The problem is sometimes we stop fighting, that's when we need to look around and see the wonderful world in its every grandeur. The marvels our ancestors have made, which still stands long after they have gone. That still makes us wonder about their genius work of art.

I lay down on the floor,yet I could not cover her fully

It’s easier to write and read a statement that says it’s from such and such century and this person has built this. But just take a moment to imagine how much work has gone into that, the years the monument has withstood, still smiling at us. Koln Cathedral is such a marvel.

The Cathedral stands on an old Roman temple from 4th century. The old cathedral built over here was burnt down. The construction of this cathedral begun in 13th century and due to many reasons it was delayed. On the whole it took more than 600 years to complete. Dedicated to Saint peter and Virgin Mary, this is the  largest Gothic structure in the world, and also it has the world largest church facade.

After WW2, Image courtesy internet

During world war two about 1,500,000 bombs poured over Koln and the Dom took 14 of them! It might be the only tallest structure that ever survived a war. The reason being, the towers actually helped the army planes to find directions.

The Cathedral is sacred for many reasons. Its main treasure is said to be a golden reliquary, Sarcophagus of the Magi, containing mortal remains of the three wise men of Christmas. Be it 6 in the morning or 12 at night there are always some mass happening in this church. It’s literally like Tirupathi where pilgrims flock from all over at all times. I even witnessed few people with just travel bag sleeping outside the Cathedral.

Thats the size of one window, just one

The Cathedral is official seat of the Archbishop of Cologne. Archbishop was one of the seven electors of the Holy Roman Empire. The energy in the cathedral is nothing like I have ever felt. There are only few places on earth in which we feel direct connection with higher powers with zero effort from us and this is definitely one of them.

The Organ pipe by the wall

The candles flickered, lights danced through the painted windows and smoke emerged from the rituals in alter. The choir combined with grand organ music gave me goose bumps. The smell, colors and energy of the place guided me to another dimension.

Can you see the height of the coloumns now ?

The volunteers were very patient and friendly advising us not to make loud noises or wandering inside the holy office. We couldn't sing along in the mass because it was German. But I could definitely feel the presence of something that's beyond the caliber of my mind.

Other than the echoing choir or occasional announcement from father the huge church reminded very calm. Several hundreds came in and went without any disturbance to other pilgrims.

Millions of prayers, blessings and unwavering faith reside here.

We went there all three days of our stay, and praying inside the cathedral felt like the most sacred thing to do. On our last visit, I took a deep breath and filled my lungs with incense smell before coming out, Grateful for being born and blessed to have taken my first breath.

His holy office, the alter

We do cry when born, it's the sign of understanding that pain is part of our life, to let us know that better things await us if we withstood the pain. Even large cathedrals need to withstand the war to be appreciated better!