Durga

On our way to Chidambaram, we saw a couple of Hindu temples situated in the villages, and under the trees in the rice fields. Most often of these is the red or green Durga, the 10-armed form of the mother-goddess Devi, the wife of Shiva.




This is another statue of Durga inside the Chidambaram temple complex. (As I remember it,) in this complex she is depicted in close relation with the image of Parvati, and this particular icon is worshipped by single men/women looking for partners in life.

Under the Banyan Tree

The Banyan tree is considered sacred by the Hindu and buddhist of South Asia. The Banyan represents eternal life because it support its expanding canopy by growing aerial roots from its branches. These roots starts as small hairs dangling in the air, but when these fine fibers touches the earth, it quickly roots and grows into a sturdy trunk that draws nutrient and supports the ever widening canopy of the tree.
-loosely quoted from Plant Cultures.


Because the tree seems to be always on the move outward, it is sometimes called 'the one with many feet' or 'the walking tree.' This particular tree in the Central Guest House at Auroville (where we stayed at), is estimated to be at least 80 years old. Its canopy is so large, that it extends over the entire courtyard, a block of 3 guesthouses, as well as the central cafeteria.

Over time, the roots are capable of moving and overtaking the hardest of stone structures; Mom calls these kinds of 'Angkor Wat tree,' and indeed, the Banyan belongs to the same genus of Ficus trees as the ones seen wrapping the Angkor Wat.


A pair of shady banyan tree flanked the center courtyard of the guesthouse, providing a grand setting for our finicky white plastic tables and chair. Precious few specks of sunlight passes and lighten up the courtyard during the day. A bulb is hung above the table to lit the night dimly. The green netting above the table are hung to prevent leaf litter from falling onto our table... and disturbing our endless card games!


As I played rounds and rounds of card games with the class, I wonder about this daily habit of theirs: do they come together all the way to India just to play cards???

Never seen a Banyan before? You can view a 360 degree photo of a Banyan tree, here!

Delhi2Pondi

Whew! Delhi was only a day out of our 10 day trip, yet takes much time to write about! -And that's not everything, we missed the Red Fort, and didn't get the chance to walk through the market madness at Chandni Chowk- Oh well, I was happy to get out of that Jakarta-esque crowdedness. And out of our tourist bus, which broke 3 times in a day. Leaving us to steam with sweat under the Delhi smog (this 3rd time, we were lucky to find a tree to shade under):


The trip from Delhi to Pondi takes 4 hours plane ride to Chennai (Madras), and 4 hours car ride to Pondi (Pondicherry). India is bigger than what it seems. Chennai is a big hub city in Southern India, and Pondi is a smaller town. After this, we'll mostly be spending time out in the rural areas, and the universal city of Auroville. So not to confuse Pondi with the Aurovillians' hippie-ecological living, this is what Pondi looks like...


Look! They have Bata shoes over there!!!

Bara-Gumbad Mosque, 1494AD

Between the 1500s and 1700s, the Indian subcontinent was dominated by an Islamic imperial power called the Mughal Empire. The empire stretches from the present-day Kashmir and Afghanistan to Bangladesh, and south towards the Deccan Plateau. The Mughals created many of the Indian landmark architecture that we know today, including Taj Mahal, Qut'b Minar, and the Shalimar Gardens of Kashmir. Delhi was the capital of this empire, and hence it is only natural that many of the remaining Mughal Architecture, such as the previously discussed Jama Masjid, Humayun's Tomb and this Bara-Gumbad mosque, is situated here.


Above is the view of the Bara-Gumbad Mosque in its English garden setting. People have told me that in the imperial days, the English are keen to make India look like their home's pastoral landscape, and cut down a lot of the trees around these monuments in order to make their lawns. Today, the land around the mosque is a well frequented modern park. The lawns are used by people picnicking or playing crickets, and the path is busy with local joggers ad international tourists.


One of the rounded domes of the mosque.


The arches of the mosque have detailed caligraphic inscriptions that is reminiscent of illustrations and photographs of the Alhambra in Grenada.


Imagine making one of these intricate carvings; how many days must you take, and, what if you chip one of them?!


It's likely that the bright blue color we see here is original paints made using lapis lazuli or turquoise, which fades little over time.


Me and maria posing on one of the tomb gates (the bricks are really that red!.. although PS did help to bring it out)

Humayun's Tomb, 1562AD

The majestic Humayun's tomb was the source of inspiration for the Taj Mahal. Again these are the photos are borrowed, this time from Hans, Kathy and Maria. I have to thank them for sharing their pictures with me. I'm sure in a few years time, it will help me a lot in remembering what happened on these few exciting days!


There are multiple arched gates that we had to walk through in order to get to the to see the tomb. The walk axially line up with the gates of the monument, and is lined with flowering trees on both sides.


After the last arch, we are granted this expansive view of the sky, the monument and its red earth.


The monument is surrounded by crisply manicured green lawns.





A baby owl peeking at the visitors...


Porticoes outside of the tombs.




Calligraphic carvings.


"Don't leave meeeeee!!!"