Janthopoyism
Sacred Travel: Shiv Shakti Temple
#holythrowback to 2021 when I visited the Shiv Shakti Temple in Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania.
Hindus established the Shiv Shakti in 1958 as one of only two temples on the Zanzibar island. Tourists often comment on how difficult it is to locate this building, but once you do, you’ll be struck by the number of pigeons that live here.
Pigeons are revered in Hinduism. Dating as far back as 1900 BCE, the Rig Veda holy text mentions the bird in verse 10.165.4, with “May that which the owl shrieks be in vain, (and may it be in vain) that the pigeon takes his plural ce uponthe fire; may this reverence be paid to Yama, (the god of) Death, as whose messenger he is sent.” Some even claim that pigeons are a vehicle for Mata Rati Devi, the goddess of love, carnal desire, and passion.
Despite this female worship, women are not permitted to enter this temple if they are on their period, for they are considered “unclean”. Do you know what else is unclean? All that pigeon poop. The caretaker also shouted at me for photographing the Ganesh statue. Weird vibes.
Hinduism was first found in Tanzania in the 1st millennium AD due to trade between East Africa and India. Regardless, there are only around 50,000 Hindus in the country. Christianity dominates 61.4% of the population. Islam sits second at 35.2%. Still, the nation holds onto its Swahili roots and philosophies, most notably the phrase “pole pole”, which means “slowly, slowly”. Everything here happens pole pole. It actually applies to so many things, you end up saying it all the time.
It’s further worth noting that Tanzanians are up there with the friendliest people on the planet.
Hindus established the Shiv Shakti in 1958 as one of only two temples on the Zanzibar island. Tourists often comment on how difficult it is to locate this building, but once you do, you’ll be struck by the number of pigeons that live here.
Pigeons are revered in Hinduism. Dating as far back as 1900 BCE, the Rig Veda holy text mentions the bird in verse 10.165.4, with “May that which the owl shrieks be in vain, (and may it be in vain) that the pigeon takes his plural ce uponthe fire; may this reverence be paid to Yama, (the god of) Death, as whose messenger he is sent.” Some even claim that pigeons are a vehicle for Mata Rati Devi, the goddess of love, carnal desire, and passion.
Despite this female worship, women are not permitted to enter this temple if they are on their period, for they are considered “unclean”. Do you know what else is unclean? All that pigeon poop. The caretaker also shouted at me for photographing the Ganesh statue. Weird vibes.
Hinduism was first found in Tanzania in the 1st millennium AD due to trade between East Africa and India. Regardless, there are only around 50,000 Hindus in the country. Christianity dominates 61.4% of the population. Islam sits second at 35.2%. Still, the nation holds onto its Swahili roots and philosophies, most notably the phrase “pole pole”, which means “slowly, slowly”. Everything here happens pole pole. It actually applies to so many things, you end up saying it all the time.
It’s further worth noting that Tanzanians are up there with the friendliest people on the planet.
Janthopoyism is a spiritual philosophy meets self-improvement program.
We view the Absolute collection of all Universal Energy to be the highest power. You are part of that power. You are an extension of divinity.
The ultimate purpose of this power is to evolve, and we each have a unique part to play in this progression. The details of your role are relayed to you every moment of your life via emotional notifications.
The tricky bit is that human beings have developed a communication barrier between themselves and this instruction.
This barrier is called "the brain".
But never fear! By utilising some very simple practices, you can open the flow of exchange, granting you access to the ether of infinite ideas, the infallible path of your guided destiny, and the recollection of your holiness.
Which is basically a wanky way of saying that your life is about to get a whole bunch better.
Join the movement before it becomes too mainstream.
We view the Absolute collection of all Universal Energy to be the highest power. You are part of that power. You are an extension of divinity.
The ultimate purpose of this power is to evolve, and we each have a unique part to play in this progression. The details of your role are relayed to you every moment of your life via emotional notifications.
The tricky bit is that human beings have developed a communication barrier between themselves and this instruction.
This barrier is called "the brain".
But never fear! By utilising some very simple practices, you can open the flow of exchange, granting you access to the ether of infinite ideas, the infallible path of your guided destiny, and the recollection of your holiness.
Which is basically a wanky way of saying that your life is about to get a whole bunch better.
Join the movement before it becomes too mainstream.
