Navrathri in Madurodam - Euro Trip 9

Near the Noordeinde Palace, The Hague - Holland.

I was born to a devoted priest in a traditional south Indian family (where following rituals meant more than life itself). Since then, I have come a long way with respect to religion and quest of God. I kneel to Virgin Mary, Bow in direction of Mecca, Meditate on Buddha, Pray for healing to Quanin and Chant the names of Shiva. For I see her smile in crescent; I see her beauty in flowers of meadows. Her sun warms my soul and rain quenches my thirst.

Click to see the saint sculputers above the windows, Madurodam

I founded my own religion by gathering the best of all. One that helps to live a life filled with gratefulness, Harmony, Love and Empathy for every being. My dad and mom had made peace with it, but my relatives couldn’t understand or accept it. One cousin asked how dare I am to keep Jesus next to Krishna. He firmly believes that I have lost my roots.

A rock concert, the dolls waved the stage had vidoes and music!

Festivities is big part of my religion, be it Christmas or Deepavali, I am game. But living away from home definitely takes away the interest of celebrating festivals (I say if you can’t cook dishes exactly like your mom, then forget it.). This Deepavali was just a Saturday.

 Every nook and coner of Madurdom is well connected with trains.

The most I do is have meals with friends and visit temple. But little India (in Singapore) gets crowded to unbearable limit. So I conveniently stick to this thought of “Oh god can be seen even inside the heart” or “Why to bother him on his busiest day”.

Schipol Airport, no need for cash passport or visa to enter inside

My Europe trip lasted about 9 days, and it fell exactly during 9 days of Navrathri. (For those who don't know, it's a festival celebrated in India to pay respect for Indian Goddesses. Its done by decorating the house with many dolls and doing rituals. Friends and relatives visit each other to see the decorations and share sweets, snacks and gifts. Part of the decoration is called “Park”,we create miniature town/forest with sand, plants from grains and plastic toys. Kids compete with friends to create the best mini town)

I cherish Navrathri close to my heart, because it helped me explore my creative side. I remember making a small banner in my mini town using “Dynora lamps sticker”. I also wrote a slogan that said“Your night will become your day”.

My uncle was working for this company then. He got impressed and told it to his managers, which became a topic of discussion during their meeting. Imagine how much happiness it would have brought to a 10 year old, to learn the slogan he wrote for a toy town was appreciated in a business meeting!

Can it be more realistic ?

When I entered the Miniature town of Madurodam, my joy knew no bounds. Truely a gift from heaven. I felt like Alice in wonderland excited and exploring every thing I saw. I went crazy over the moving cars, trains, planes and boats. I mean this is the best “park” I have ever seen. The exhibit’s attention to details were to the T. The tiny windows had screens, diner table had food and finger length dolls had expressions!

Check out the size of the crow to know the real size of these models.

These pictures posted here don’t do justice to the energy and colors of the place. For that matter no amount of video or picture would capture the experience the place got to offer. So I just let loose the 10 year old from inside and wandered around like I didn't care about anything else.

Can you spot the cable cars ?

I also realized, sometimes by taking photos we miss being in the moment enjoying it. Because photos are taken for future and when you are busy clicking and checking them you are living in future. You are constantly excited, happy or worried about what other might say, or which ones to upload in your blog.

I didnot miss the tulip farm after all

So there I stood smiling like I had hanger in my mouth, more than 10,000 miles away from my home, at a complete strange land yet enjoying my very own festival of Navrathri. I never lost my roots; they just outgrew and spread everywhere, even to the soils of Madurodam.