RITE Content

05/22/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/1H54GgPiDK/?mibextid=wwXIfr

It rains inside the Pantheon… and somehow, it never floods.

Yeah, you read that right.

There’s a giant hole in the roof — the oculus — completely open to the sky. No glass, no cover, nothing. When it rains in Rome, it rains inside the Pantheon too.

But here’s the crazy part: the floor never floods. No puddles. No slipping and sliding. Just a clean marble floor, like nothing happened.

So… how?

Because the Romans were absolute geniuses. The floor is slightly tilted — just enough for the water to flow toward hidden little drainage holes, carved right into the stone. No pumps, no modern tech, just gravity doing its thing. Simple, brilliant.

Stand there during a storm, and you’ll see it: a soft beam of rain falling through the oculus like a spotlight. The water hits the floor… and then vanishes. Like magic.

But it’s not magic. It’s 2,000-year-old engineering that still works better than most modern buildings.

And honestly? Watching rain fall through the roof of a temple while the whole place stays dry — it’s kind of unforgettable.

Next time you're in Rome and the skies open up, don’t hide from the rain.
Go to the Pantheon.
Trust me.

03/19/2025

I had an unexpected chance to visit this serene temple. At first I was hesitant, as we had to climb a small gradient full of rocks and stones. It was 15 min walk after which we reached a set of easy steps. The climb was easy after that - hardly 5 min.
The Goddess is inside a snug cave surrounded by water that seeps through the walls of rock. Only two ppl can go in at a time along with the Pujari(one who does the prayers for you) It is sitting room only in the low ceiling cave. There is water standing outside the temple also.
We were there by 715 am. A cool breeze grazed our cheeks as we walked in the deafening silence. The Twitter of birds and rustling leaves were our companions. A few elephant droppings could be seen along the short path - evidence that elephants often visit here.
The pujari came only at 9 am. There was a phone number on the walls efficient you could call but he reached only at that time.
It didn’t bother us that we waited. Indeed we were happy to breathe in the fresh air and absorb the silence and the serenity of the place. It reminded me of long gone days of childhood when we had a lot of quaint temples around.
Reluctantly we did our prayers because that meant we had to go back. I promised myself that I would visit again if She permits.
My knee joints ached but I was so happy and at peace after going there.
Thank you Devi 🙏

12/25/2024

Pyramid Lake

12/25/2024

12/01/2024

Let’s take the ferry to SF!
Bay Bridge on panorama
Oakland to SF in twenty minutes…
Cool and crispy day.