Introduced in February 2013 – an invitation, a prompt, a linky. Write exactly a 100 words on the prompt and publish it on your blog – a story, a poem, a mini-essay. The linky will be open right up to next Friday, after which I will have a new prompt and a fresh linky.
100 Words On Saturday 4 Prompt : LASTING MEMORY/IES
The memories I value most, I don’t ever see them fading.” ~ Kazuo Ishiguro
Lasting memories
Of thousands of faithful
Thronging the banks of the holy river.
Jostling each other to reach the water
On this the most auspicious night
In that pouring rain
For that one dip
Leaving behind their footwear
Their belongings, their dignity
And some of them their lives.
For that one dip in the
Confluence of three rivers
Ensured safe passage to the paralok.
Lasting memories
Of faith
Simple faith
Triumphing over reason
Demonstrating Mankind’s longing
To connect with a higher power
To find eternal happiness
To know lasting peace.
Lasting memories
Helping me keep my faith in mankind.
(This is based on my memories of sitting at a vantage point near the banks of the Ganges at age 12, watching thousands of Hindu pilgrims during the Kumbh Mela at Allahabad, India. Meaning of paralok – the hereafter).
What lasting memories do you have?
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Never been to a Kumbh Mela before. Don’t know about the future. Nice memories.
It was a great experience for sure. Enjoyed your post.
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..In Conversation With Anne Lyken-Garner
You’ve been to a Kumbh mela!! Wow!!
And that’s a cool prompt and you have expressed your memories so very beautifully!
Shilpa Garg recently posted..Saturday’s Spine Poetry – 6
I was 12 years old and we lived in Allahabad then, Shilpa. It certainly created a lasting memory for me.
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Leaving A Digital Legacy?
What a beautiful memory that must be! India is such a spiritually rich place, I’d love to visit the Ganges someday! I have many lasting memories…Some of which are when my children were born, our walks in the woods together, a cross country trip I took with my husband when we were dating…I have other less pleasant ones but I’d rather recall the lasting ones that are positive. 🙂
Great post!
Jessica recently posted..This Moment: A Friday Tradition
Thank you, Jessica. Hopefully someday you will visit – sooner rather than later. I loved the memories you shared – beautiful.
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..What Is Your Song?
I badly wanted to visit the Kumbh Mela this time – more so from a photographer/blogger’s angle rather than religious 🙂 But couldn’t go !
My everlasting memories are of the time I spent with my paternal grandparents …. precious memories those.
It would have been quite an experience for sure, Ruchira. The color and the personalities are fascinating. Thank you for sharing your special memories with your grandparents – would love to hear more someday.
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..In Conversation With Anne Lyken-Garner
Beautiful poem, Corrinne.
I have never been to a kumbh mela. This was a beautiful experience!
I will write 100 words about what my memories. post the link above!
Ruchira recently posted..Advantages of Social Media
Thanks, Ruchira. I enjoyed reading your post too.
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..6-Word Memoir
Ah…the Kumbh Mela 🙂
I’ve never been to one but have heard my Dad talk a lot about it. Perhaps for the past two times he’s been there – called as a guest of honor. And this time he said that the arrangements made were better than before. I guess they have special places allotted for the VIPs. Nevertheless, I think it all comes down to faith more than anything for those who believe. 🙂
Harleena Singh recently posted..The Father Who Had No Time
We went when Dad was posted in Allahabad, Harleena and was incharge of the arrangements. You’re right about the special places for VIPs. Unfortunately, the real pilgrims really have to struggle to get to the water, etc. It’s sad that this time there was a tragedy too 🙁
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Leaving A Digital Legacy?
Such a marvelous memory so beautifully captured by your words, Corinne! I truly enjoyed this.
Blessings!
Martha Orlando recently posted..How Perfect in Wisdom . . .
Thanks so much, Martha. It was a beautiful memory, indeed.
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Lighting My Kindle February 2013
I wish to visit Kumbh in my lifetime… It must have been a very enriching experience. Beautiful words.
Jas recently posted..A Fight Not Worth Losing
It was, Jas, even though I was so young. I hope you get your wish fulfilled sooner rather than later. 🙂
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..100 Words on Saturday 3
Corinne, I cannot thank you enough! Finally my writer’s block ends with this prompt. Nothing worked all these months. But this post did! I am so happy to let it all out. Thank you!! 🙂
Naina recently posted..Lasting Memories
I’m so glad this helped, Naina. Now you can come by and do a regular 100 words on Saturday, huh? Just kidding. I enjoyed reading about your trip to Jaipur.
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Speaking My Truth
I will definitely try doing it! And I went to Udaipur!! You dint read, did you?? 😛
Just responded on your blog too, Naina. 😛
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..100 Words on Saturday 3
These were beautiful.
Mary recently posted..Unplugged Sunday “Antipolo”
Hi Mary – Thanks for dropping by. I love the new look of your blog – very ‘you’. 🙂
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..100 Words On Saturday Week 2
Those are very powerful words along with a powerful picture. I’ve never experienced anything like that! I’ll have to let this prompt germinate for a bit.
Sandra Pawula recently posted..The Heart of February: Listen
Thanks so much, Sandra. Truly the faith of simple people moved me deeply even as a child. I guess in the end our faith – no matter what name we call God – is what helps us keep everything together.
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Speaking My Truth
Brilliantly written. I loved reading about your memory!
Kathy
http://gigglingtruckerswife.blogspot.com
Kathy recently posted..Tidbit Thursday- Reasons to Smile!
Thanks so much, Kathy. ♥
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..Leaving A Digital Legacy?
That was a wonderful expression of faith – and, yes, I envy you too for having been there at the time of the Kumbh Mela.
Thank God you decided to make an appearance on Indiblogger, too!
C. Suresh recently posted..Truth is stranger than Fiction
Thanks, Suresh. Don’t envy me – you can go too. 🙂
I actually posted on Indiblogger based on what you said in your last comment! 😉
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..100 Words on Saturday 3
Strong expressions reflecting spirituality and faith !
Thanks, Diana. Enjoyed reading your memories of your family.
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..100 Words on Saturday 3
I’ve only seen the Ganges on tv ~ have you had such thoughts while watching them there at 12? Was it the same impression now? LOL… just very curious…
I have lots of lasting memories, many of which I have experienced in my twenties when I left home 😉 I might be able to share them but in more than a hundred words lol ~ lots of love BS!
Melissa Tandoc recently posted..Immersed 2: Bathing in חֶסֶד (hesed)
It was a truly awe-inspiring experience, Melissa. Roughly a hundred thousand people thronging to the waters in the pouring rain, through the night, to take a holy dip.
I know that you’ve lived a most interesting life – looking forward to reading your memoirs some day!
Corinne Rodrigues recently posted..I Am Woman
You know when I hear / read about the Ganges the first thing that comes to my mind is an accident which happened when I was 12 – I had almost drowned in it, near Rhishikesh had it not been for a young boy who was swimming nearby. It could have been a serious mishap other wise 😛
I loved your post, and like all others Kumbh Mela is something I am also very fascinated about. But somehow I cannot stand crowded places for many reasons.. so I am still thinking if I would ever be able to go there.
Privy Trifles recently posted..Who am I?
Lovely words but unfortunately the pic doesn’t load 🙁 Wow just being at the Kumbh Mela is being close to the Divine. Someday I want to visit Allahbad too and the holy sites – Haridwar, Kashi – go on a Shiv Yatra and a Ram Yatra – one of my dreams! I missed this link up – a lot on my mind lately – but maybe I’ll do it anyway.
Suzy recently posted..100 Words – Sacred Spaces