Of temple,Tailors and Timeless Ties

 

‘A gentle meditation on the sacred bond between a person and their hometown. Where rituals ,memories and belonging interwine to create a sense of wholeness’

Hometown has a special place in everyone’s heart. It is the place where we were born, spent most of our childhood, and perhaps received our education too. It is a place that has nurtured and shaped us as children. Unknown to us, it nourishes our soul as well. A major part of who we are today is because of the environment and surroundings in which we grew up. Therefore, my hometown in Karnataka holds a very special place in my heart.

What is it about our hometown—apart from our parents, siblings, and cousins—that attracts us to it ? Each of us, whenever we visit our hometown, have a list of must-do activities that we simply have to follow. This list of “must-do’s” and “must-have’s” generally originates from what we miss the most about our native place in our day-to-day life. Since a significant part of our lives was spent there, I believe we always want to carry a piece of it with us, wherever we are living now. Therefore, according to me, this must-do and must-have list is nothing but our craving for a part of our home and hometown which is missing in our present life.

For example, whenever I visit my beautiful, serene hometown, I have a set of routines that I must follow, come what may. My visit always begins with a stop at my dad’s and uncle’s textile stores, followed by visits to the pilgrimage places—the Krishna Temple nestled in this small, quaint town, and right opposite it, the Anantheshwar Temple. Both temples are ancient and sacred, showcasing beautiful stone-carved architecture. It gives me immense peace and solitude when I fold my hands in prayer and perform the pradakshina. I still remember my childhood days when I used to run while doing pradakshina to escape from the heat scorching my feet on a hot sunny afternoon.

Between the Krishna Temple and my dad’s store, it is customary for me to stop by a few local shops and vendors. One of them is a small supermarket called Sampoorna, located near the Krishna Temple. The local delicacies I miss and cherish are usually found here are of good quality and is value for money. From local sweets to savouries and snacks, everything can be found here.

My next stop is the local vegetable vendor. I love hounding his small shack for turmeric leaves, colocasia leaves, ready-made moodo (hand-woven cups made from special leaves ,used to steam idlis), maddi (an underground tuber belonging to the colocasia family), and much more. Only when I have bought everything to my heart’s content do I return home—my dad’s house.

A couple of days later, when I find time, it is customary and almost mandatory to visit the tailor. Sometimes I feel it’s more for the heart’s satisfaction than necessity. It is said that a good tailor is a lifelong companion—and it’s true in my case. Even after living away from home for over two decades, I still get my salwar suits stitched by him. I never had the heart or courage to look for a new tailor in my current city.

This way, I have my own list of things that I must do and adhere to during my yearly visits. Only when I have checked off each and every item from my list and filled my heart with contentment am I able to return to my own current house in peace.

The above-mentioned routine is something I have followed every single year. It is a discipline that I have adhered to during all my visits. But this year, I found myself wondering—why do I visit the same shops for the same things and follow the same routine each and every year?

Since childhood, we follow a certain lifestyle, have a particular diet pattern, and are surrounded by familiar sights and sounds. All these become ingrained in our lives without our conscious awareness. These daily activities unknowingly become a part of who we are. Therefore, whenever we settle in a new place for good, time and again we seek the same environment, food, and activities that once nourished us. Indulging in these soul-fulfilling activities, even for a few days, rejuvenates us deeply. And then we go back to our new lives feeling fulfilled and satisfied—carrying a small part of our dear home and hometown with us.

Each time, we eagerly wait for the next visit—to relive those same moments and follow the same comforting routine again.

I hope this post has nourished the reader’s soul and brought back fond memories of your own hometown. Do write in the comments what you love and miss the most about your hometown.