4 hrs, 1 km

Soon I can see off in the distance the tall statue of Hanuman rising from the plains . It's actually a pretty exciting moment--to see this in the Western Hemisphere. This whole hemisphere from Alaska to Argentina seems to be all about one religion: Christianity... and it's actually quite refreshing to see a bit of diversity, especially something as colorful and different as a giant statue to a Deity who is half-man, half-monkey (tail and all!) I quicken my pace.

I reach the gate of the compound and find it locked, but I will not be dissuaded. I wander around the perimeter until I spot a gardener and ask if I can come inside. He points to another gate that he says is open, but it isn't. So I just keep trying all the entrances unti I find one that looks locked--but isn't... and I'm in!

Entering this beautiful temple area is particularly special to me at this time because over the last 7 years pretty much all my travels have been in the Christian and Islamic world. I've visited hundreds of churches, many of which are quite interesting . But after a while I'm really hungry for other perspectives, other beliefs and deities. I've gotten kind of tired of entering cathedrals with the same theme over and over again: torture and suffering. You get the feeling that you're expected to immediately feel a heavy debt towards this Deity who is suffering on your behalf. No offense, but that gets really tiring after a while.

This is so refreshingly different. All around the edges of the temple roof are all sorts of statues of Deities--non of them suffering torture--just doing these peaceful, happy poses. And the statue of Hanuman? it almost has a funny, cartoonish look! There a a group of chairs set up under a tent in front of him where I just sit and soak in the moment.

Having been in India, I'm well aware that there are aspects of Hinduism that can be backwards, cruel and oppressive if interpreted literally. But, I think, if praying to a statue of Hanuman helps you express your innate sense of spirituality, I'd say go for it .

Behind me are a list of rules for visitors to follow: no gossiping... no expressing comparitive opinions of other religions... no expression of sensual pleasure.

No rules about not playing music...

I pull out my guitar. No, I'm not going to worship the Monkey God. But I do want to connect with the significance of this place and the traditions and beliefs of hundreds of millions of my fellow humans that it respresents.

A well dressed Indian woman drives up. and walks past. I hope I'm not getting busted.

"This is a very spiritual place, isn't it?" is all that she says. I won't argue with that.

Finally it's time. I need to take my photo and video clip with Hanuman, playing my guitar. I hope I won't get in trouble for that. It's just the gardener now, so I'm going to give it a shot.

It's a tricky procedure, since the sun is to Hanuman's back, I need to be in his shadow to get a different shot. And for that I need to tilt the camera way back... if I do that I won't be in the picture.

After several attempts I finally get a "me, my guitar, and Hanuman selfie" that can be proud of.