Car Puja

Me and the boys went to the neighborhood temple, and to our surprise a band was parading down the street heading our way. The temple on a Wednesday afternoon was a happening place-- the band procession was part of a wedding, and there was also a new car and motorcycle waiting to be blessed. Eventually the priest came out with the goods, and the family gathered around their car. The puja began. I'll try to remember all the elements of the ceremony:



In the beginning, the head member of the family and the priest decorated the hood with flower garlands. I remember the priest painting a prayer on the windshield and the hood with his finger. I remember a coconut was split by the priest pounding it on the pavement in front of the car, coconut water was spilled, and the car keys were put inside. Incense was lit. Many prayers. The final act was by far the best, and worth waiting for. To cast off the evil eye, one lime is placed in front of each wheel, wedged in the crease where the wheel meets the pavement. The head driver takes the keys from the coconut, and the family processes to the temple exit with the priest. Then, the car starts and rolls over the limes with an incredibly satisfying pop.... Better than fire works, I swear. The only things that remain are four splattered limes in the shape of a rectangle. I explained to Chetan that some members of my Catholic family spiritually protect their cars as well. It's not nearly as dramatic as the Hindu tradition, they just put stickers on the dashboard of Mary or Jesus that were blessed by the priest. Same concept.