Mountains, snow, serenity—that’s the kind of setting Temple Tales by Sudha G. Tilak called for! So last weekend, I visited the Somaskanda Ashram, a beautiful place nestled in the Swiss Alps. Surrounded by snow, the Ashram’s peaceful atmosphere offered the perfect backdrop. The black Nandi statue, massive and imposing, stood with an aura of quiet strength. As I stood there, taking in the scene, the silence felt sacred. Snowflakes fell gently, and the mountains loomed in the distance. It was as if the Nandi and the entire ashram were in perfect harmony, a place where time seemed to stand still. I’ve shared a glimpse of my trek to the Ashram in my Instagram reel!
Before I dive into my review, a bit about why this book is so deeply rooted in the temple journeys of my childhood. A trip to the temple is always special. Growing up in India, we often set off on journeys—whether exploring Tirunelveli, Kanchipuram, the Tirupathi Balaji Temple, or the Madurai Meenakshi Temple in the south, or visiting Haridwar, Rishikesh, Vaishno Mata, Badrinath, Kedarnath, or the Hidimba Devi Temple in Manali in the north. These trips with my family were more than just travel; they were experiences that allowed me to see, hear, and touch history. I grew curious about the temple’s origins, its deity’s story, and the famous prasadam unique to each one.
It all began with neighborhood temples and gradually expanded to grander ones. Initially, the excitement was in spotting the temple elephant. I’d hold a banana or one-rupee coin, offering it to the elephant, and then wait for it to place its trunk on my head. Though I was scared at first, I slowly learned to enjoy the whole scene—the bells, incense, and the joy of being part of something timeless.
Sudha’s mention of the Uchhi Pillayar temple in her book brought back so many memories. I immediately remembered my own trips during the summer holidays to the Rockfort Temple in Trichy, or Malaikottai as it’s locally known. Early morning trips to this hilltop temple were a cherished ritual with my parents. As we ascended the steps, he would share stories about how the temple sculptures served as toys for my grandpa and his brothers. They would craft tales around these figures, a tradition passed down to me. He’d point out the spot where he and my uncle would snooze after prasadam.
One section of the temple, in particular, became my favorite—a living picture book. We would stand, moving from one painting to the next, tracing the story as it unfolded. Each painting had a few lines wriitten in Tamil, guiding us through the story. We would start at one end and follow the story, our eyes scanning each vivid scene. One such story was of Lord Shiva taking the form of a woman to assist a pregnant devotee in childbirth—earning the name Thayumanavar. Another feature of the temple was the ‘soranga paadhai’ (secret tunnel), always closed to the public. My appa would dramatize its significance, fueling my imagination of how soldiers used this secret pathway to reach Thanjavur during times of siege.
Why Temple Tales is a Must-Read
With these memories—and countless others like them—I was drawn to Temple Tales by Sudha G. Tilak. I bought it to share the joy of temple visits with my children, but I find myself more attached to this book than they are. The cover, vibrant in shades of crimson and blue with kolam (Rangoli) patterns and the entrance of a temple, immediately drew me in. The simple yet beautiful illustrations by Sharanya Kunnath complement the stories, be it history, murals, or the prasadam tales, making it all the more engaging for the reader. The book is divided into six parts, each offering a unique journey through India’s temples.
1. Folktales and Legends
The first part details folktales and legends from temples across India, connecting the present to the past.
2. Heavenly Feasts
The second part, Heavenly Feasts, is my favorite, where Sudha talks about prasadam—descriptions of puli sadam, chakra pongal, and tayir saadam. Their importance in each temple makes my mouth water and leaves me longing for the familiar tastes.
3. Green Deities
The next section, Green Deities, focuses on the relationship between nature and gods, weaving together the stories around them.
4. Stories in Stone
Stories in Stone dives into the importance of sculptures and architecture, highlighting how the temple itself tells a story.
5. Sacred Skills
The Sacred Skills section focuses on the beauty of arts, crafts, and murals in the temples.
6. Divine Dances and Songs
The final section, Divine Dances and Songs, highlights their compositions and their significance to the gods and their relevance even today.
Through this book, I found a deeper connection to many temples I’ve visited; for those I haven’t, it gives me invaluable insight. Temple Tales is a must-have for adults and kids alike, especially for those interested in understanding temples across India. I know I’ll continue to dip in and out of this book, savoring it forever. With its bite-sized descriptions, it’s easy to carry, even while exploring temples.
Sudha beautifully puts it, “Temples are some of the earliest forms of museums in the world, for in these sacred spaces we can see and understand the past of a region, its people, culture, and traditions.” I couldn’t agree more.
Excellent description of temple stories by kurly hair Sudha.. and pleasant to go through the description.