Faith

Hola Mohalla, 2008

Pushkar, 2008

Eid at Jama Masjid, 2009

Monday, September 21, 2009. Eid Mubarak. Jama Masjid.

Feeling the power of thousands of people praying together is a humbling experience. Being a part of the crowd of devotees, watching them stand, sit, bow and rise as one sends a thrill down the spine. It triggers a streak of faith among atheists, togetherness among strangers and solace in a crowd.

Oblivious to shutterbugs, rolling cameras and pesky journalists, with ears trained only to hear the holy words booming from the microphone, the devout visit the Jama Masjid to celebrate Eid.

Despite being warned about 'selfish' crowds that would steamroll those ahead of them, I found the Jama Masjid fairly organised. Yes, there were crowds. But nothing unmanageable. Awe-inspiring but definitely nothing intimidating.

This was different from the crowds I encountered at Pushkar during the camel fair last year and the sea of turbans at Hola Mohalla/Anantpursahib last Holi.

Don't ask me what was different. I'm still thinking about it. At Pushkar, the crowds were channelised through narrow lanes and bylanes, jostling cattle, beggars and more. The roads were dirty for the most part. But there was a sense of chaos. Yes, that was absent at Jama Masjid today.

At Hola Mohalla, though it was not chaos, the crowd was overbearing. Just the sight of people wherever you turned your eyes was exhausting.

Maybe the space at mosque made all the difference. But whatever it was, it has got me hooked just the way Pushkar enticed me to return. I hope to go back to Jama Masjid for Eid next year, too.

Till then, may the power of faith keep us going through life. Ameen