The Power of Shakti

Here in Chennai we're celebrating the fourth month of the Tamil calendar, Aadi. It's an auspicious time for women, since the principal deities worshiped this month are goddesses, or Shakti, the female divine power. There's an interesting explanation of the idea here, and here's the Wikipedia version.

I find this idea of the divine female power really fascinating. Without Shakti, the male forms of the gods would be unable to act, and therefore worthless.There's one sect of Hinduism that worships Shakti as the ultimate being or force. I can't understand why a culture that so reveres women in its religion is still so male dominated in day-to-day living.

Another question I keep asking myself is why I never have my camera when I need it. I had to use my cell phone to snap a photo of this Aadi procession we passed on the way home from Samuel's preschool the other day.

The women are carrying flowers on their heads to offer to the goddess at the temple.



This man was at the head of the procession. He's hoping his act of asceticism will please the goddess, who will then grant him his special petition.

Nature and music are also important parts of Aadi. For me, that means listening to the drumming from a nearby temple into the wee hours of the morning. Does this mean I get special blessings, too?