Hello My Steemain Friends ,

Today I am writing about an interesting Steemit Engagement Challenge S31- W3: which is all time my favourite topic ""Our Surroundings A Series of Real Life Experiences ; Mosque & Temple" this amazing challenge organised by @kibreay001 and @adeljose

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I visited the Ram Janaki Temple in my locality, which also houses a shrine dedicated to Baba Shyam. The Baba Shyam temple is gradually gaining immense popularity. It was constructed just three to four years ago. The crowd of devotees visiting the temple has been steadily increasing; however, on the auspicious occasion of Ekadashi, the number of visitors swells significantly.

The temple is so beautifully constructed and well-maintained that simply entering its premises fills one's mind with a deep sense of devotion. The complex also features idols of various other deities, such as Lord Shankar, Radha-Krishna, Goddess Durga, Lord Hanuman, and Sai Baba.

Worship rituals and Aarti (prayer ceremonies) are performed both in the morning and evening, accompanied by the melodious chiming of temple bells. The temple's administration runs with remarkable efficiency and smoothness. The temple is managed by a committee of members, whose positions are determined annually through an electoral process.

On every Ekadashi, vendors selling Prasad (sacred offerings) and flowers set up their stalls in large numbers outside the temple. However, even on days other than Ekadashi, at least one stall for Prasad and flowers remains open for visitors.

The Shyam Ram Janaki Temple is not particularly ancient; it has likely been standing for about 12 to 15 years. Construction and expansion work have been ongoing gradually, leading to the subsequent installation of idols for various deities over time. However, the idol of Baba Shyam was installed only about three or four years ago.

This is the second Baba Shyam temple in Lucknow, and it now witnesses massive crowds of devotees on Ekadashi, as the number of Baba Shyam's followers continues to grow day by day. Reaching the temple is quite easy; it is situated near the Aishbagh Water Tank in Lucknow.

The route to the temple is very straightforward, and visitors can arrive using their two-wheelers or four-wheelers, as ample parking facilities are available. Taxis, auto-rickshaws, and cycle-rickshaws are also easily accessible in the area.

On the days of Ekadashi and Dwadashi, male and female Bhajan singers offer their devotional services through music. They sing beautiful hymns dedicated to Baba Shyam, and the general public joins in the celebration, reveling in the joy of these Bhajans by swaying, dancing, and singing along. The sweet fruits offered by devotees as Prasad (sacred offering) are distributed among the worshippers near the temple's main gate. Additionally, the Kirtan (devotional singing) held on Ekadashi is regularly videographed here.

Construction work at the temple remains ongoing, as the fame of Baba's grace continues to spread across the world. Consequently, the crowds visiting the temple are steadily increasing. Baba Shyam is revered as the "Support of the Defeated" (Hare Ka Sahara) and is also globally known by the epithet "The Giver of His Head" (Sheesh Ke Dani).

The role of the temple priests is of paramount importance, as the temple opens its doors as early as 6:30 AM. Their duties encompass bathing the deities, adorning them with ornaments and attire, cleaning the temple premises, offering Bhog (sacred food), performing Aarti (ritual worship with lamps), offering the Prasad brought by visiting devotees to the deities, and performing Aarti for all the deities—both in the morning and in the evening. The temple employs three to four priests, as it houses multiple idols of various deities; this ensures that devotees do not have to endure long waits and that the Aarti for all the deities is conducted punctually.

When devotees arrive at the temple for Darshan (sacred viewing), the priests apply a Tilak (sacred mark) of sandalwood paste on their foreheads and gently touch a peacock feather (Mor-pankhi) to their heads. The priests play a pivotal role within the temple, as the responsibility for ensuring that all rituals and ceremonies are conducted strictly in accordance with scriptural protocols rests entirely with them. This includes adhering to the precise schedule for offering Bhog—a process that involves drawing a curtain in front of the deities while the food offering is being made. Upholding these religious norms and disciplines is the exclusive duty of the priests.

Furthermore, should any devotee wish to personally sponsor or organize a Kirtan session, they must first consult with the priests, who then facilitate an introduction to the temple's President. Devotees also approach the priests to have their sacred vows (Mannat) formally tied within the temple premises.

The environment of the temple is truly beyond praise; the atmosphere is so serene and the premises so impeccably clean that it is a sheer delight to behold. If one arrives with a troubled or restless mind, the tranquil ambiance of the place immediately brings about a sense of calm and peace. Comprehensive facilities are available for drinking water and washing hands, and a dedicated stand has been installed for the organized storage of footwear. The entire prayer hall is equipped with ceiling fans, and additional air-cooling units have been provided to ensure the comfort of the devotees.

To ensure that no one feels the heat, ample mattresses have been laid out on the floor for seating, and chairs have also been arranged for the elderly. There is a comprehensive power supply system in place, including generators, inverters, and all other necessary equipment.

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IPFS

Caption is enabled in the video 😊

I want to invite my friends to take part in this contest: , @josepha , @ninapenda, @sualeha"

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