22 Siddha Temple
Part 22 Siddha Temple
The Next Day
Arnav was at the Kala Baitava temple, overseeing the platform work. He was deep in thought, contemplating Guruji's predictions and the mysterious man's conflicting words. He was unsure which one would prove true. However, Arnav had always trusted Guruji's horary, which never went wrong, and that confidence made him reluctant to think beyond that.
He hoped to ask the mysterious man to clarify if he had appeared before him again.
At that moment, he noticed Arvind getting out of the car. A worker opened the car door and stood bowing respectfully. Arvind smiled at Arnav.
"How is the work going, Arnav?" he asked.
"It's going well, sir," Arnav replied.
"I liked your platform idea. It will give the temple a neat appearance."
"I would like to plant trees around the platform, sir..." Arnav said, eager to share his idea.
Arvind smiled at him and asked,
"Good... Very good. What kind of trees do you want to plant?"
"Flowering trees, including the Nagalinga flower..."
Arvind looked at him in surprise.
"How did you know about the Nagalinga flower? There's no Nagalinga tree on the way to the temple!" he asked thoughtfully.
"When Khushi took me to show me the village, I saw the tree, and I liked it very much." Arnav avoided elaborating on how he knew about the tree.
"Where exactly did she show you the tree?" Arvind inquired.
"I don't remember the exact location, sir."
"Oh...! Okay, I will bring flower trees as you wish..."
"Thank you, sir."
"You don't need to thank me. I will fulfil all your wishes. You can ask me for anything."
"I've already asked you for what I want, sir," Arnav said, glancing at Khushi, who provided the workers with lemonade.
Arvind noticed Khushi and understood what Arnav meant.
"Take Khushi with you to the Siddha Temple. Give this money to the Pandit." He handed Arnav a bundle of currency.
"Siddha Temple?" Arnav frowned and he took the money.
"Yes, this is monthly maintenance money. Make sure to give it to the Pandit and note it down i n the ledger."
"Okay, sir..."
"Ask the Pandit to meet me this evening."
"Alright, sir." Arvind then left.
Arnav called Khushi over to him. She approached with a glass of lemonade and extended it toward him.
"Thank you." After taking the glass, Arnav asked,
"Where is the Siddha Temple?"
"Siddha Temple? How do you know about it?" Khushi replied, a little surprised.
"Arvind sir asked me to give money to the Pandit at the Siddha Temple." He showed her the money Arvind had given him.
"Why?" she asked, astonished.
"It's the monthly maintenance money."
"What? Are you sure?"
"What's surprising about that, Khushi?"
"Arvind Uncle is the one who usually gives money to the Pandit. He never lets anyone else do it because it's a palace custom: only someone from the palace can give the money to the Siddha Temple Pandit. Even the Murthy brothers were never allowed to do it. So why is he asking you to do it?" Khushi was confused, and Arnav became thoughtful.
"Why is it that way?" he asked.
"It's a royal custom."
Now, Arnav was also confused.
"He asked me to take you with me."
"Is it?" Khushi exclaimed, excitedly.
"Mmm..."
"Do you know where the temple is located?" she asked.
"Where?"
"It's at the foothill behind the palace."
Arnav looked at her, surprised.
"Is it?"
"Yes! The temple is so beautiful."
"The whole village is beautiful. What's so special about that?" he inquired.
"The path winds alongside a small rivulet."
"Oh..."
"That's what makes it special," she replied.
"Mmm..." Arnav was also curious about visiting the place. He wanted to learn about the Siddhas, and more than that, he would enjoy spending time with Khushi.
"Shall we go?" Khushi asked.
"We will go after providing lunch for the workers," Arnav said.
"The temple will be closed at noon. It will only reopen in the evening."
"Oh... Then ask someone to take care of the lunch situation."
"Okay," Khushi replied.
Khushi called the senior worker and insisted that he look after the lunch. Then, they headed toward the temple. Arnav noticed they were not walking toward the palace.
"Isn't it necessary to go to the palace to reach the temple?" he asked.
"No... We can take another path," Khushi replied.
"Oh..."
As they walked, Arnav saw a man imploring for rice from people using a large basket on his shoulder. The basket wall was covered with a saffron cloth. The man neither looked like a beggar nor did he seem to be doing it for himself. Arnav was about to ask Khushi about it, but she spoke up first.
"He belongs to the Siddha temple. One of them asks for rice from the villagers every day. They prepare food with the rice and donate it to poor people."
"Oh..."
"They have been doing this for generations."
"Wow..."
"Anyone can eat at the temple, even those from whom they collect rice..."
"Is it?"
"Yes... People believe their problems will be solved if they eat food donated at the temple."
"Interesting..."
As Khushi described, a rivulet ran alongside the small road, shaded by trees, creating a heartwarming atmosphere for them.
They arrived at the temple, where a Shivlinga was located.
"Khushi, isn't this a Siddha temple?" Arnav asked.
"Yes..."
"But it looks like a Shiva temple..."
"The Siddhas are direct disciples of Lord Shiva. That's why they are called 'People Who Saw the Unseen.' Look..." She pointed to the wall of the temple.
Arnav saw eighteen images of the Siddhas, each displayed with their names affixed to the wall. Arnav walked to the images and gave a look.
The pandit approached them, smiling at Khushi. He wore Rudraksha malas around his neck and had sacred ashes, called Thiruneeru, on his forehead and body. He gestured for them to wait.
He performed aarti for them and brought a sacred plate. Khushi touched it, and he gave them Thiruneeru. She applied it to her forehead and noticed Arnav standing with a neutral expression.
"Vanakkam, Sami (Namaste, Swami)," Khushi said.
"Vanakkam... How are you, beta?" the pandit asked.
"I'm fine by God's grace," she replied.
"Is there anything I should know?" he inquired.
"He is the new manager of the palace. Uncle Arvind sent him to deliver the monthly funds," Khushi explained.
The pandit was surprised. He looked at Arnav, narrowing his eyes in curiosity.
Arnav handed the pandit some money and said,
"Arvind, sir, wants you to meet him in the evening."
The pandit nodded while accepting the money.
"We are leaving, Sami," Khushi said.
"Wait..." The pandit went inside and returned with a garland. He placed it around Arnav's neck and handed him a packet making them surprise. Arnav took the packet and handed it to Khushi, which made the pandit smile.
"Goodbye, Sami."
"Goodbye..."
Arnav stepped outside with Khushi.
"He didn't say if he would come," Arnav remarked.
"He will..."
"Do you know why Arvind sir wants to meet him?"
"I think he wants to see Horary..."
"For what purpose?"
"I don't know..."
"If that's the case, shouldn't Arvind, sir, come here to meet him?"
"It might be something secret."
"Then, he shouldn't meet him in the palace; it's the most unsafe place for him." Arnav countered.
"Uncle Arvind is not foolish. He will ensure they're kept away when the pandit arrives."
"Oh..." Arnav pondered. What could the secret be? Was it about their issue? He wondered.
"I can't understand one thing..." Khushi said.
"What?"
"There are many Royal rules followed in the palace, yet Uncle Arvind doesn't mind breaking them when it comes to you."
"He believes he can control me by giving me privileges."
"Why would he do that? What does he gain from it? His word alone is enough; the villagers will do anything for him. So why should he pay attention to a stranger like you?"
Arnav was left speechless.
"During any audience, no one dares to speak in front of him. It's remarkable that he lets you express your opinions. More astonishing is that he remains silent even when you talk to him rudely. No one would dare question him, even if he buried you alive."
Arnav was taken aback and, composing himself, asked,
"You wouldn't question him if he buried me alive?"
"I said IF HE... It doesn't mean he will..."
"I asked what you would do if he did that. Wouldn't you stand up for me?"
Khushi shook her head, disappointing him. He began to walk away, upset.
Khushi followed him and said,
"No one could harm you. You don't need anyone's help to save yourself. If someone wished you dead, they'd be the ones buried six feet under."
Arnav looked at her in confusion.
"I told you, only the palace people contribute to the Siddha temple. Today, you gave money, and yet the pandit honored you by putting a garland around your neck. You deserve respect... But I still don't understand why..."
Arnav grew more curious about the purpose of the pandit's meeting with Arvind. He wanted to know what they would discuss.
To be continued...
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