2.Nandi sits

It feels like just yesterday — and yet it feels like another lifetime — when we wandered through the fields, hunting for fallen fruit and wild berries. Our pockets filled, we’d sit in the shade of a sprawling mango or neem tree, relishing our bounty, always facing the hill adorned with the temple.
And while Khandoba sat atop the hill, his vahana —his vehicle— Nandi, the great bull, rested at its base under a canopy—mandap.
It is the custom that devotees finding the steep climb too daunting can speak their prayer into Nandi’s ear – and Lord Khandoba will hear them.
Thus, they whisper their prayers and then chant loudly ‘Yalkot! Yalkot! Jai Malhar,’ – ‘We, the seven hundred million, celebrate the victory of Malhar’ (Malhar being one of Khandiba’s many names).
This brings us to the second poem: . . .”

Nandi sits
Nandi sits
in meditative bliss
at the foo
of the fort,
facing the lord,
adorned
with the crescent moon.

Nandi sits
under the mandapa,
decorated
in regal ornaments,
glowing
like a thousand suns.

Nandi,
the vahana,
the chief of the Ganas,
gives music
as The Lord performs
His cosmic dance

Nandi sits,
meditating,
gatekeeping,
celebrating
the reign
of King Khandoba

“Yalkot, Yalkot,”
says Nandi,
“Jay Malhar!”