We were on our way to Trichy and visited Amma Mandapam, a religious bathing ghat on the banks of the Kaveri River.. The river is called the Ganges of the south. Earlier we had passed the cremation grounds on the banks of the river. It was a happy place. Some were down in the river bathing but others were worshipping in the temple, making special offerings or receiving ritual blessings from the temple elephant.
This family group had just gone through a dedication ceremony. They had offered the babies hair and had the heads covered in turmeric powder.
A proud mum showing off her little boy. All the people are friendly and happy to talk.
Robert received another blessing from an elephant. A little slobbery! Gail posed from nearby.
We moved on to the sacred Ranganathaswamy Temple. Located on the island of Srirangam it has an etherial setting.
The main gate to the temple was very impressive. Nearby there are always flower stalls and other items for sale like tiny oil lamps.
Along with the beautiful flowers were offerings of coconuts.
Each ruler over history added another larger gate so between them are a series of villages and lots of commerce going on.
There were at least five gateways.
Especially like the look of this mobile stall.
It was a special period for pilgrimage. The men in black dhotis were on a 40 day period of visiting temples and during that period followed a strict code of abstinence. Rob didn't follow all the rules!
Gail and Rob and one of the special places.
Another glorious building. Under the white surface it is granite so the structure is very solid.
Columns in the pavilion.
Some of the small figures were amazing. The yellow is from turmeric used in ceremonies.
Hidden behind other structures is a temple with a roof of gold.
The detail in the carving was excellent.
2 comments:
The carvings and temples are magnificent, hope you're not bored with me going "oh nice temple, nice carvings, what undies does mum have on" :-)
Not at all. Even respond and even edit as requested
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