At the Old Broken Bridge
Sigatoka, Fiji
Rasa Mandala, a brahmacari or monk from Suva temple, Daniel and I took to the road shortly after 4 am to enter into what’s called the “salad bowl” of Fiji. It is a very productive section of the main island. As we pass by fields of ground crops such as cassava and taro, we entered into the district of sugar cane and papaya orchards. Resorts for tourists, mostly Australians and New Zealand folks, have been to our left where the ocean continues to be our constant companion.
At the city of Sigatoka where flooding from monsoons tend to wash away various man and human-made arrangements, a substantial bridge to accommodate traffic and tracks for hauling cane over the Sigatoka River got partially swept away. At the west end of this now condemned bridge and at the juncture of a busy downtown crossroad, local kirtaniyas, chanters joined us in public chanting. It drew a lot of attention. Did it ever!
Then we moved locations to the farmers market and inside a massive structure where you findd a hub of activities. We were invited by one of the farmer to chant in his stall. Our singing and drumming froze all who were there. People listened. Tourists as well. It was a major highlight feature of the day. Hindus and Christians came forward spontaneously with donations, something we did not request. Such big hearts!
I must not fail to mention that from the sight of the old broken bridge a four storey temple is going up atop the main hill of the city. The whole town is rather excited about the future opening and it’s all being a reality by the efforts of two main persons, a ladies team. Gita Kirti and Gurusmarna are the dynamic duo empowered to see the project inception and completion (for May 2010).
Whatever was collected at the market was handed over to these women for their glorious project, one that will be a place of learning and growing for spiritually needing souls.
30 Km
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