Saturday, February 21, 2015

More pics from Trichy

These pics are from inside the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, the largest active temple complex, I believe, in the world.

Please click on the pic to enlarge.

First, a self-portrait, from an auto-rickshaw in the reflection of a shiny side of a bus.
Unfortunately, the entire complex was under re-painting (on the Gopuram gates) and a massive multi-year reconstruction, so some areas were closed off that wouldn't be normally.  Still an amazing place.
A Gopuram under wraps, with new, but unfinished, painting .


The temple is like a small city, with roads and alleys filled with shops and side of street vendors.







Pre-made offerings




...and if you need some beads, there are plenty available.


...or post-cards.













Just a quick jump ahead to today - sunset at the fishing nets beach at Fort Kochin

Just a single image from this evening - at the 'Chinese fishing nets' and net-fisherman at the beach at Fort Kochin. 

Click on the pic to enlarge.

I'll get back to other pics later


Tuesday, February 17, 2015

A bit of politics in Tiruchirappalli (Trichy).

There was an election happening in Tamil Nadu just after we left, but while wandering in the huge Sri Ranganathaswamy temple area we encountered one of the many rallies going on.  Noisy, wild & fun.....and Paul kept working them up even more with loud 'Whoo Hoos'!!
 Click on the image to enlarge!

This guy's hat was pretty amazing, I thought.....until I was introduced to the mext guy...

...who had a rotating hat!!  Boy, could it spin!



Lots and lots of women coming out for this and marching through the streets.






This older lady was striding along with her cane with the best of them!





Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Finally! Some pics from Mamallapuram!


We're now in Trichy, with a bit of internet speed, so I'll get just a few pics from Mamallapuram up.  Like all places I haven't been to for a few years, lots of growth.  Still, we had a good hotel, the food was great at the 'meals' and other restaurants we hit, great south Indian included breakfasts (mmmmmm.....idlis.....), and a general good vibe (though on Sunday the place was wild with visitors from Chennai and school groups.  Lots & lots of stone carver businesses too.  Anyway....a few pics, which I'll update more later.
The gorgeous 'Penance of Arjuna', a 50-60 feet wide carving out of the side of a hill.
Carver on top of a Ganesh

A statue 'curing' - one carver said some would have to sit for three years before final finishing.
The range of what gets carved is wild
Modern style
Very, very modern style

A cute Ganesh outside of a shop.


Huge number of kids on school trips to the 'Five Rathas' on Sundays.  The whole town was packed with people from Chennai coming to Mamalapuram for the day. 

Keeping some of the kids under control. The kids were generally rambunctious and climbed on places they weren't supposed to (if the teachers' backs were turned), but lots of fun and friendly.

The Shore Temple - bigger than it looks here

Poor abused 'dustbin'!

Typical 'meal'

Making breads
...and these are signs for...?