Some pics from Hampi

A few assorted pics from Hampi, east of Goa.  Quite the transformation in the place - almost the entire bazaar has been bulldozed down, with the remains not organized at all, and some of the last small businesses still in an area next to the river - and these are scheduled to be destroyed in 2022.  The government is turning the area into a cold and dead 'Heritage site'.
Anyway, these are a few of the pics from walking around down the river one day.  I''ve just added these as they were shot.
To see larger versions just click and view with the Google viewer.

One of the ruined shadowed entrance walks to a temple area.

Part of a big student group walking along the river.

Eastern gopuram entrance to the Virupaksha temple.

Lakshmi, the 28 year old Virupaksha temple elephant.

Temple guy who let us on the roof of the Virupaksha temple.....and of course got backsheesh.

Chai seller at sunset hill in Hampi

Some pics from Madurai

The 'big event' for Madurai in Tamil Nadu is the Sri Meenakshi temple.  Just stunning, amazing.  However, for a completely inane reason they have now outlawed cameras inside the temple - except cellphones (which I've put some of up on Facebook).  Anyway, here are some pics from around the temple.  I'll post some more later and put up a note.

The east Gopuram gate

Details from the east gate.  Each figure is much larger than human size.

A holy tree outside the temple

Resting

Cleaning some copper

Hanging around

Cotton candy for sale...and the seller.

Fairly public free toilet