Surrendering to the Dance

Lake Pushkar, India

My first week, I couldn’t offer flowers to Lord Jagganath. I was on my period. I walked past the flower vendor all the gopis used. If he knew why I wasn’t buying, he didn’t say. He gave me a handful of flowers to smell. Flowers you smelled could not be offered to Lord Jagganath. Lords had to keep all the bliss for themselves.

Our teacher hummed and sang and rang bells each morning. He lit incense. Everyone offered…