I saw this temple on the way from Trivandrum to Kovalam. This is the first time I came across a temple dedicated to Parasurama. This is an interesting small temple. One of the smaller sub temples within the main one had a fish as the god. I had not seen a fish before as a deity. It could be the deity representing the first avatar of Vishnu, Matsya avatar that rescued the Veda, plants and animals. When I walked around the temple, I noticed there were a lot of soap boxes tied with a string and hanging from the ceiling. I guess the soap boxes contain written prayers or wishes to be fulfilled by Parasurama.

Parasurama, is the axe wielding sixth avatar of Vishnu. Although he is an avatar of Vishnu, he is not worshiped like Rama or Krishna. I guess Kerala would be an exception. According to Kerala legends, he is the creator of Kerala and Kalaripayattu. He created Kerala by throwing his axe into the ocean from Gokarnam to Kanyakumari. The water receded up to the spot where it fell. This new land is said to be Kerala or Parasuramakshetram.

Parasurama commanding Lord Varuna to make the seas recede.

When I heard about Yogyakarta the first time, I was sure it had something to do with Yoga. Then I looked into how the city was named. Yoga and Yogya are not related in any way and people say Jogja. Yogya is a variation of the word Ayodhya, Rama’s very own town. Ramayana is really huge in Indonesia.

However I did get my yoga fix in Borobudur, a few kilometers from Yogya. The temple made of black volcanic rocks is beyond words. It was like time had stopped. Instantly peaceful. A refreshing cold drink for the soul. I could not remember anything else and it was as if I had gone back in time. Like everything happening around me is in slow motion and I can remember every frame of it.

The mandala design of the temple with many levels makes way for an amazing walking meditation. The story of Borobudur depicts a pilgrim’s search for spiritual awakening. Each of the levels depict the process of the pilgrim attaining wisdom and a higher level of understanding through various stories depicting the life of Buddha.

The walk starts from the lower kama dhatu level or the world of desires to the nirvana level is all of five kilometers. That gives me enough time to ponder over the dramas of the life in the lower levels depicted in rupa dhatu or the world of forms. The sculptures are intricate. I noticed there were a lot of wasps buzzing around in some corners. As you go higher, the story depicted in the sculptures gets simpler and leads to arupa dhatu, world of no form. The drama is reduced and there is beauty in simplicity too. It gets more open and there are stupas with Buddha inside. I saw a lot of beautiful butterflies in the higher levels. These levels depict nirvana with just stupas. It is so peaceful up here even though there are quite of few people around.

I am happy that this mandala was intended as a permanent one unlike Tibetan Buddhist impermanent mandalas which serve a slightly different purpose. Borobudur was built in 9th century and there are plans to keep it going for another 1000 years. Borobudur is the largest Buddhist monument and represents the symbol of life journey.