バンダリさんの日本体験

Wakuguri in Miyoshi, Japan
Held on: June 30th, 2010

They say that once you walk through the circle (Wa) at the temple, you are safe for an
year. Walking through the circle cleanses your soul and removes all impurities from
your mind and body. I hope the same is true.
The atmosphere at the festival was so enriching and wonderful. The process of buying
the paper dolls and getting your age written on the same, standing in line and waiting
for your turn to walk through the `Wa`, letting the priest bless you with the prayers in
Japanese and getting the rice of the gods from the priestess  all was an experience
to remember.
The shops put up at the festival were also very enchanting. My children bought
Kakigori (crushed ice syrup) and chips as usual. I bought crape for myself and Ayako.

The method of making the crape was so similar to that of making a Dosa in India; I
had to take pictures of the same to show everyone, as below.
The Dosa is one of the main dishes of South India and is made from Rice flour
prepared in a special way. The same is put on a similar pan and spread out in a circle
in much the same way as the process of making crapes in Japan. The difference
between the Indian Dosa and Japanese Crape, apart from the obvious difference in
the appearance of the cook, is that the Indian Dosa is served as a roll, sometimes
plain as it is, or ingredients of spicy potato are added inside the roll, while the
Japanese Crapes are filled with the flavor of your choice, ranging from strawberry,
banana, orange, grape, etc. and folded into a cone shape before it is served. Both
preparations are equally delicious.
At the festival, we met so many known people in the crowd in front of the shops,
which is always a pleasure as the people of Miyoshi are so nice and friendly. Everyone
seems to know everyone here. As we met more and more people, we started talking
and the children started playing with the other children in the festival. It was wonderful
to see the children mingle with each other. I also stayed with them for a long time and
felt that I spent some quality time with the children after a long time.
Inspired by this wonderful festival, I prayed to god to give me strength, that the resolve
of my mind does not weaken, that the path that I take is of good, that my intentions are
always pure and honest and that I do not make a mistake, even
unintentionally.
Ajit Bhandari
Miyoshi, Japan
July 4th, 2010