Stairway to heaven!

Santhome Saint Thomas Basilica is my favourite religious structure in India, of course, among the ones I had visited so far.

It is one of the few things I miss here in Delhi. One of the many things that make Chennai the most beautiful City, of course, even among the ones I have not seen so far.

Though the beauty of Chennai prejudices my judgement, as a consequence of my ever increasing itch to explore Delhi, I decided to find monuments I could frequent. One thick friend of mine, who knows Delhi inside-out, had advised me to climb the Minaret of Jama Masjid.


***


Yesterday, I set out with my best companion. Myself.

I decided to climb the Minaret. In less than thirty minutes of starting from home, I was standing right in front of it. That is the unrivalled comfort being alone. No compromise. No excuses.

You can do things at the speed of your thought.

I also have this practice of walking and roaming alone for a while, if I am in doubt, if I have to make a decision, or if I have to make some plans.

The Masjid, one of the finest examples of the Mughal Architecture, is made of red stones.

The entry to the Minaret is near the main gate.

Barefooted, I started climbing the Minaret.


It was a spiral staircase around a pillar, space big enough for two men walking sideways.


The first few steps were easy, just like any other spiral staircase.


After the tenth step, it was utterly dark.


Little light and air were coming through the ventilators.


One should make careful steps.


The ultimate objective of any faith or philosophy is to find the light - the truth - the absolute knowledge.


Treatises and dissections attempt to find 'the light'.


After all, the analogy of darkness and light is an ocean for a tadpole-like me.


Halfway, my legs were aching. I was in the middle of the tower from where climbing the next half seemed like a herculean task. I stopped in front of the biggest ventilator for a minute. Though I am not claustrophobic, I wondered what if the tower crushes and I get buried alive.  The passages on how Robinson Crusoe felt when an earthquake shook his cave flashed in my mind.


I started climbing the next half.


After a few steps, the darkness became diluted.

A faint light was coming from the top of the tower.

I cannot tell you in words how my spirit lifted. It was an experience.

I started climbing faster. I could hear voices from the top.

Fresh air was coming in.

And then there was light. Amen.

***




From the top of the tower, you get a panoramic view of Old Delhi.


I could see crowded buildings leaning on each other, narrow gullies packed with people and the colossal prayer ground of the Masjid itself. At least a hundred Eagles were circling the sky.

It was some view.

I stood awe-struck gazing at it.

I sat there for a while reflecting upon life.

***

After leaving the Masjid, I tried some fantastic Achar Biriyani at Al Jawahar.

I can most certainly say that I had seen heaven that day.