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High Priestess |
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Young Nupur Nandini has broken societal barriers in pursuit of her spiritual beliefs, those that allow her to helm a Shani temple with as much ease as wearing denims to college or watching a film.
 Snake your way through the narrow lanes of Sarojini Nagar's government colony and only at a stone's throw from the main road is a Shani temple that is famous
for more reasons than the usual. The serene environment of the locale invites you to spend a few quiet moments when complemented with enchanting mantras and the spiritually uplifting smell of incense sticks. If you visit this shrine on a Saturday you are ensured a unique encounter with 19-year-old Nupur Nandini, variously called didi, devi or Nupurji by over 5,000 devotees who visit the temple every week. What Sets Nupur apart is her years of experience as a pujaran of the temple, chanting prayers, performing rituals and aarti and offering solutions to ones in need.
Having recently completed her first year of graduation in law from IP University, Nupur has been performing pujas for over eight years now. "My father Swami Pradeepanand is an astrologer and the acharya of this temple. My family environment was such that in my childhood itself I was introduced to the concept of spirituality. No one held my finger and told me to follow a certain path. It was just my belief that kept getting concretised with time when I saw vital changes in the lives of people around me. Shani is a very strong devta and the more I prayed, the more I got drawn to him," she says.
Although religion and spirituality have been a part of Nupur's growing up, the turning point in this young priestess' life which became her calling was her mother's miraculous recovery from an illness after the best of doctors had given up hope. "She was in the final stages of cancer and doctors at AIIMS, where she was being treated, gave her only a couple of months to live. But then my father performed a series of anushthan (a religious ceremony) and I, my sister and our maternal uncle too offered prayers to the Shani deity. In what can only be tertned a miracle she recovered, a fact that surprised the doctors as well. This is what gave me a huge push and cemented my opinion. I realised that it was our devotion, god's blessings and karma that helped us sail through that difficult situation," comes a collected thought.
Be it the weekly chants of 'Jai Shani Dev' in exclusive Shani temples across the country or the alms-seeking Shani maharaj at traffic intersections, offering prayers to Shani has traditionally been a male prerogative. But the refreshingly revolutionised rules of this temple in Delhi welcome prayers from everyone. Nupur affirms, "Here, in this temple, women from all walks of life come to chant prayers. My father taught me that for god there is no difference between men and women and if a woman cannot worship god in the same way as men, it is the worst kind of injustice." She adds, "It is amusing and unfortunate at the same time and it is illogical. With Sociology as part of my curriculum, I now realise that this too fits in with the theory about the
stronger sex dominating the weaker one. Also, insecurity among male chauvinists has made them impose these restrictions in the fear that women might overpower them. This is gender discrimination. " But is it difficult being a female priest? For Nupur, the answer is a firm no. "Sometimes I do encounter raised eyebrows but no one has ever raised an objection."
Though managing the temple routine was a problem while she was in school, prayers became much more organised and regular once Nupur's college started. Now she specialises in Navagraha (cosmic influencers), related puja and Kaal Sarp Yog (the time when all seven planets are situated between Rahu and Ketu) anushthaan. "In this temple, Shani is present as sankatmochan — a god who helps get rid of troubles. There are many misconceptions about Shani being an entity who causes misfortunes. But here,
one can feel his positive power," she explains.
Over a cup of kadak cardamom tea, father Pradeepanand points out that he is okay with whatever career Nupur chooses. "She was born with very fortunate stars and I knew she would succeed in whatever she takes up in her career. She's been as gqod a student academically as she has been spiritually. I will be happy with whatever she does in the future because I know she will excel in the career she decides to take up." But Nupur prefers living in the present. "My devotion to god will always remain and I will keep offering prayers to the Shani deity every week. It is a part of my life now. But whether or not I will do something in the field of law remains to be seen," she answers philosophically.
At one moment she is the know-all priest of the Shani temple with a healing touch and at another, one wonders if she is any different from any regular teenager when she reveals that she wears denims, attends college, and watches movies like any of us. This balance can be attributed to Nupur's rather unconventional upbringing.
Pradeepanand's eccentric viewpoints have had an impact on his daughter and you can sense this when he puts forward his argument. "Many people are followers of Asaram Bapu, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and the like. But I am, to a lot of people's disbelief, a fan of Mahesh Bhatt. Here's why. I think he understands human psyche very well and always speaks the truth. In that sense, he is a better preacher of life than many other saffron clad Babas." He adds, "I trash all those gurus who judge people on the basis of vegetarianism and non-vegetarianism. If I am a
vegetarian but am dishonest and selfish, I am ten times worse than a non-vegetarian who is good hearted and helpful to mankind."
 The daughter too cites many personalities who have influenced her life. To name a few, "If one talks about humanity, there is no one to match Mother Teresa, for someone with a firm approach to life, Mahatma Gandhi is the best example and the struggles and determination of Nelson Mandela remain incomparable. I try and inculcate their philosophies into my life.
Sometimes it surprises her to see how much better people feel after talking to her. "It's almost like counseling them (devotees). You take away people's troubles and problems by sharing your knowledge with them. I feel I am god's special child and my position in the temple is a respectable one. I consider my credibility as god's gift. However, to achieve this position is easy but to keep one's dignity and sustain people's trust is difficult," says the young priestess who is at present busy preparing for a religious gathering in the temple on July 26.
"It is Nag Panchami and a very auspicious day. I will do a havan and also take part in the bhandara (free food distribution)," says Nupur. |
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