On Saturday mornings, I usually prefer to go to a temple with a courtyard so that I can spend more time there. This courtyard is opposite the Nyatapola Temple and consists of several smaller temples. In the middle, there is the Til Madhav Narayan Temple, with the pillar of Garudha in front, facing the temple. A priest performs morning rituals there. A bell is on the left side, just near the pillar. There is a Mahadev Temple with a statue of Nandi facing it. Another temple stands at the corner, and a well is opposite it. There are also statues of different gods and goddesses. Three gallis (alleys) connect to the courtyard. What fascinates me most is a square-shaped stone with a hole, designed to store water for birds.
After finishing my prayers, I sit and watch people coming and going in the courtyard. They worship God in their own ways. I see elders, adults, and children alongside their parents with puja thalis. Parents hold their toddlers’ hands, teaching them to perform puja and touch the gods for blessings. The children learn with full smiles, while the elders display patience in teaching. It seems so beautiful.
Old women, wearing saris with gray hair tied in buns adorned with flowers, foreheads with red tika, and carrying their old wooden puja thalis, mesmerize me. Old men wearing topis with flowers tucked onto them look equally charming. Looking at them, it seems they have a deep faith in God. Performing puja, placing tika and flowers, and touching each deity to seek blessings appear enchanting. They also offer light to the gods while ringing the bell and praying. From time to time, the sound of bells fills the courtyard. Those ringing bells satisfy my desire to be there and bring me joy.
I just love to watch people coming here to pray, as I feel connected to them through our shared faith. I believe God is always there to help, so we just need to keep going. Sometimes, when I feel lonely or heavy-hearted, just coming here calms me down and provides me peace. This courtyard is a place of healing for me.
Sometimes, when I visit in the evening, I see old people gathering to listen to the ‘bakha’ (story). I am not sure if this happens every day, but I do want to find out.