Journey Across Southern India

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Tuesday, 18 December 2018 - Visited the hill-cut Thirupparamkunram Murugan Temple near Trichy early in the morning, walked through the vibrant flower and vegetable markets seeing jasmine and marigolds, explored Trichy's Rock Fort area with its temples and ancient rock architecture, visited the Amma Mandapam on the Kaveri River learning about local religious practices, and in the afternoon saw historic churches before checking into our hotel and enjoying dinner on the rooftop bar with dahl, coconut curry, and rice.

This morning we stop at the Thirupparamkunram Murugan Temple.

india2018 — Cal joins the faithful and I drop into a nearby classroom of eager children.

india2018 — Many women had a flower in their hair - after time we learned the flower is jasmine. A very popular fashion statement.

india2018 — In the main shrine, apart from Muruga, deities of Shiva, Vishnu, Vinayaka and Durga are housed.

This temple, being carved out of a hill, was most probably earlier a Jain cave.

india2018 — The temple is built in rock-cut architecture and believed to have been built during the 6th century.

india2018 — We were not allowed to take many pictures inside - even with a photo pass.

However, in a room were several (50ish) of these figurines which I was able to photograph.

india2018 — An idol with a flame and flowers

india2018 — A temple which worships darker idols.

india2018 — We then head to the Flower Market. We crossed a very busy street - by not making eye contact - to arrive at the flower market.

This guy was out front trying to get business before you even entered the flower market.

india2018 — This woman had several kinds of rose - and jasmine.

india2018 — A large pile of roses - just the flower

india2018 — Long stemmed roses

india2018 — Selling flowers stringed for various garlands

india2018 — Sacks and sacks of flowers

india2018 — So many roses

india2018 — Jasmine was always a serious sale - it must be valuable

india2018 — Jasmine

india2018 — Weighing jasmine for a sale

india2018 — Marigolds - lots of marigolds

india2018 — Another very serious group selling jasmine

india2018 — Busy stringing flowers

india2018 — Garlands for sale

india2018 — Roses

india2018 — We were not sure how that many marigolds can be sold in one day

india2018 — We then went a short distance to the vegetable market. Where a dizzying number of vegetables were for sale just like the flower market.

india2018 — Peppers for sale

india2018 — Betel leaf

india2018 — Dried fish

india2018 — Small tomatoes

india2018 — Banana fruit

india2018 — Just outside Trichy we pulled over to allow me to take pictures of an open air temple. Once "inside" a local man quickly came over and admonished Cal for wearing shoes in the temple. So one quick picture.

india2018 — At 2:15PM we meet Mooshi, our guide for a tour of Trichy, the 3rd largest city in Tamir Nadu.

The Rock Fort Mountain, is a landmark of Trichy and in the 17th Century, the British used the fort in a battle with India.

Thayumanavar Sivan Temple way up on the top of a large rock. There are several hundred steps to the top that we did not climb.

india2018 — Malaikoottai Shiva Temple also on top of the same rock.

india2018 — We work our way through a neighborhood to reach an ancient temple. As we walk by the front door to these homes, you could see beautiful art in chalk outside the door. These chalk patterns are redrawn every morning.

india2018 — Below the temples on top of the rock is this ancient temple cut into the base of the rock.

india2018 — Relief figures inside the cave temple

india2018 — An idol carved out of the rock

india2018 — We next stopped at Amma Mandapam - a temple and ghat to the river Kaveri River for ritual bathing.

On the foreheads of many people we saw either three horizontal lines or three vertical lines painted on their forehead. The horizontal are Siva worshipers and the vertical are Vishnu worshipers.

As we travel from city to city and tour many, many temples, our guides give us insights into the core beliefs and principles indicative of these religions.

india2018 — Top of the temple

When we visited Amma Mandapam, we learn that some Hindu beliefs appear to have superstitious connections. Most of the beliefs appear to provide protection from evil spirits, and some are based on scientific reasoning.

As an example, the number 9 is considered a lucky number and relates to the number of planets, nine, and that Vishnu had nine incarnations. Hindus believe that out of the 24 hours in a day, there are hours considered good in which to do work or make plans and there are hours considered bad in which you refrain from doing certain things.

india2018 — Like some other religions that bow, or cross the head and heart with the hand, Hindus cross their arms, touch their ear lobes between their thumb and forefinger and bow three times before Lord Ganesh in prayers for prosperity and good luck. This physical demonstration is a way to seek forgiveness of sins.

The yellow strings tied to this palm tree are prayers for good wishes in a marriage.

india2018 — Hayagriva is an avatar of Lord Vishnu - he is worshipped as the god of knowledge and wisdom.

india2018 — A man bathing in the river - there were large areas set aside for people to bathe in the river.

india2018 — The 13-story Raaja Gopuram was finished in 1987 but was started 400 years prior. It stands at the end of the main street dominating the horizon. This is the first gate to go through to get to the temple.

india2018 — The second gate or Gopuram. These are not on the temple grounds but on the road to the temple.

india2018 — The third gate - or final gate into the temple called Ranga Ranga Gopuram. There were hundreds of people milling about with a very heavy police presence. The reason was we were only 3 days from a festival day and pilgrims were visiting the temple. Because of the large crowds we could not enter the temple.

india2018 — Elephant giving out blessings for a small donation

india2018 — Detail on the Ranga Ranga Gopuram tower

india2018 — Interesting character

india2018 — Ranga Ranga Gopuram in the setting sun

india2018 — Cobras rise above Vishnu - or one of his forms

india2018 — Top of Ranga Ranga Gopuram

india2018 — Cute little elephants

india2018 — I think this is Parvati (Shiva's wife) because her animal is a lion.

india2018 — Vishnu relaxing while cobras arch overhead.

india2018 — By late afternoon we enter Our Lady of Lourdes, the oldest church in the region, a Catholic Church.

A beautiful chalk drawing adorned the sidewalk at the entrance to the Church.

india2018 — Constructed in the year 1840 AD

india2018 — Several statues around the sanctuary

india2018 — Huge sanctuary with a vaulted ceiling

india2018 — Stained glass

india2018 — Note the garland on Jesus - a tradition from the Hindu religion

india2018 — 6:30PM check in to our hotel. Shower and head to the rooftop bar. We have a dinner of dahl, coconut curry, vegetables and rice with fruit and coconut milk for dessert.

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