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Tuesday,
1st January 2002 - Chennai (Madras) to Bangalore- We met to catch the
bus at 9am outside our overnight hotel for a
drive first to two Shiva temples. The first of
these was obviously popular as an active venue
for Hindu ritual - with many people passing
through the various areas of the temple. Near the
entrance a man was selling kolam stencils (for rangoli designs) so we bought
some between us. A number of young men were
swimming in the temple 'pool' which I thought
looked green and rather suspect. Here we were
hassled to and from the temple - and through the
outer sanctum - by sandal sellers and beggars.
- The second temple
was older - over a thousand years - and
undergoing some restoration with men cleaning the
facades with some sort of ammonia solution.
- On our return bus
ride we stopped at the site of the assassination
of Sanjay Gandhi where an interesting memorial
featuring seven tall collumns each capped with a
sympbolic icon representing the seven major
rivers of india and, we assumed, the notion of
the seven pillars of wisdom.
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- Often, when we
visited temples and sacred sites we showed
respect by removing our footwear.
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- Monday
31st December 2001, Chennai
- At 7pm we walked to
the Hall of the Academy of Music.
We sat through a performance of Carnatic music
featuring flute, violin and double headed mridanga drum and - wonder of
wonder - all I had suggested to the others would
happen, actually happened! (I ran an informal PD
session for other members of the party -
regarding Carnatic music) I felt affirmed and
vindicated!
- There followed a
unique performance of a un-fretted guitar with
'f' acoustic holes and tabla. We sat and enjoyed the
beautiful music for as long as others could.
However everybody was 'flagging' with the high
pressure of the program so far and regrettably we
decided that wonderful as it was, it was time to
go to bed!
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- Like the Taj
Mahal itself, the gardens outside are peaceful
and very beautiful
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If possible, view and talk
about the movie 'Monsoon Wedding'
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Ganesh is revered in which
religion?
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Which
religions do you think are represented by these
buildings and events?
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- Tower
on the Taj Mahal
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