Barefoot Bell Ringing in Pune’s Sacred Temples
Barefoot Bell Ringing in Pune’s Sacred Temples
- Posted by Colleen
- On May 22, 2022
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- 4
Pune is a city filled with sacred Hindu temples.
Most were built in the 1700s and early 1800s, but some are thought to be from the 8th century! At one time there were more than 300 temples in Pune according to this historian’s account. Recently I visited two of them.
Shri Kasba Ganapati temple
I learned that the Kasba Ganapati is the presiding deity of Pune, and this name refers to both the deity and the temple (the word “Shri” or “Shree” at the beginning translates to “holy”). For the temple-curious, there’s a short bit of interesting info here.
My favorite part of this temple was the “rangoli” (kind of like colorful sand art) near the entrance. Rangoli originated in India, and these intricate designs are created by hand using materials like powdered lime stone, dry rice flour, colored sand, quartz powder, and flower petals (check out this video of one being created!).
Apparently it’s customary to make these designs for holidays and festivals as well as to celebrate personal good fortune. I’m told that when someone opens up a new shop, they might create one on the ground in front of it to celebrate their blessings in business, or someone might create a smaller scale one on a table top at their home to celebrate a birth or engagement in the family.
Dagadusheth Halwai Ganapati temple
This is a young temple by Pune standards (a mere 130 years old!), but it towers over a busy street in the historical area of the city. The day of my visit was unusually crowded, which, I was told meant “it must be an auspicious day.” I removed my shoes at a busy stand outside the temple and traded them for a small numbered plastic token then joined the long line of barefoot devotees zig-zagging toward the entrance.
As I stepped inside, someone immediately gestured toward a separate line that appeared to be designated for women, so I followed gorgeous sari-clad visitors to the front of the temple where something was happening (I’m not sure what, but there was a lot of bowing and, I think, asking for blessings). After maybe 30 seconds there at the front, we were urged to move off to the side by the surging line of women behind us awaiting their turn.
It seemed like it would be disrespectful to take photos or video inside the temple given how crowded it was, so I have no imagery to share besides this quick iPhone snap from the street before I entered. But if you’re curious, the first minute of this video shows someone else’s experience going inside (and after the 1 minute mark, it continues to show a cool looking local market that’s on my list to visit).
So what’s this about bell ringing?
Hanging from the ceilings of both temples were large brass-colored bells that devotees would periodically walk up to and ring. They had a rich but sharp sound, similar to this. There seems to be a science to the sound as the bells themselves are made to particular specifications using several different precious metals in the process.
I was told by one local that ringing the bell while standing beneath it showers blessings on the person. I’ve heard that ringing the bell is also meant to inform that temple’s deity of your arrival. Later I read an article from a Hindu society that said the ringing sound is believed to have many benefits including activating the seven chakras in your body, driving away evil spirits, removing negativity in the body, helping devotees focus on the present moment, bringing relaxation, and creating harmony between the right and left sides of the brain.
I don’t know which one of these may be true, but I’d say: when barefoot in a temple in Pune . . . consider ringing the bell and being open to the blessings that may follow.
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