Alien Nation?

Alien Visitor

The more knowledge a person has, the more confused he will be. The more a person knows, the more he cannot give a straight answer to a problem. Of course, to exclude those who circumvent, circumlocute, circumflex, circumspect, evade, and dodge a question when they are guilty or ignorant of the fact. But ignorance is also bliss, they say. And the more you learn, the more subject matter remains unanswered.

Armed with the knowledge of Erich von Daniken's Unsolved Mysteries of the Past in the 'Chariots of the Gods?', I attended one of my good friend's daughter's engagement ceremony in a temple. Yeah, my friends are getting older, just like me!

Although this was not the first time I saw the things I saw, I saw things from a different light, not only due to my recent exposure but also because boredom hit me even before the ceremony commenced. Remember the saying idle mind and devil's workshop?

With Lord Ganesha (the deity with an elephantine head, trunk, and belly) in the heart of the temple's Gopuram, it looks like a driver in the driver's seat. 

With its crown and trunk, the elephantine head goes well with a head-geared space suit and breathing apparatus connected to the oxygen cylinder (belly). About 10 metres ahead was a tall flag-like structure which could pass off as a steer, and the mouse (his mascot) could be a navigation probe (mouse in a computer!). You just have to let your imagination go wild - you will see what your mind wants you to see. And do not forget the fire and the smoke from glowing incense (sambraani - benzoin resin) may just complement the aura of a lift off a spaceship. The climax of the prayers occurs when the priest parades a multi-tiered tray of burning camphor and the loud chiming of giant bells. Symbolic or what?...

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