We travelled out for the day to Kanchipuram famous for its many Hindu Temples. This is one of Hindu's most sacred sites. On the way we travelled through rural areas and saw many crops especially rice but also other industries such as silk washing in the local waters.
Much of the land once used for growing rice is now urban so in the future India will be a big rice importer. The fields of wet rice cultivation are stunning.
The silk thread is washed in local waters that have special qualities so that when dyed retain the colour. Very traditional methods are utilised.
Our first temple visit was to the Varadaraja Temple with its huge pillar hall.
It is all carved out of granite. No bronze or other metals. Try carving a chain out of stone! Picture is a carving of a cat chasing the pigeons. The oldest sections date from 600AD. The complex extends over 40 acres.
The detail in the carvings is very fine.
The column and ornamentation is all from the same block of stone.
We have made some clothes purchases! Hope you can see the columns!
Each temple had a tank for ritual cleansing. These days they are fenced off and the water polluted.
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