Ashram

The dictionary definition of ashram is "1.a. a secluded dwelling of a Hindu sage; b. the group of disciples instructed there 2. a religious retreat". This is a fairly large and relatively well-known ashram. Michael and I stayed at the guest house for a night. He had been there before, and it cost 200 rupees. This time it was 600. He asked why, but didn't want to argue, because it is an Ashram after all. He was told it was the location of the room. The first time he was there, he was on the ground floor. We were on the second floor, which is the third floor in the States. We had two beds, a real treat! The bathroom was big...western toilet, shower without a bucket. Toilet still had a bucket, of course. We had a balcony overlooking the Bay of Bengal. We just spent the night, but a person could go and used it for the real purpose. There are gurus available for guidance, and a cafeteria for healthy food. No motor vehicles are allowed past the parking area at the main gate. The floors are labeled Silence Humility Love Patience, etc. There is a garden for use in meditation or yoga. The top three pictures are of the garden by the office. The bottom two are the meditation gardens. I would like to live there. It is very peaceful and calming. Oh, and 600 rupees is equal to $12.00!

Pondicherry

Pondicherry is a little south of Chennai. On the map it looks close. I'm not sure how many kilometers it is, but it took about 3 hours on the bus. The official name is Puducherry, but the only places that is seen is on buses and government buildings. Pondicherry was a French settlement and is quite different from other places in India. Michael said it is a place unto itself. The street signs are posted on the walls of the corner buildings and the architecture has a lot of French influence. They have pastries there! Quite a few people speak French, and signs tend to be in French and Tamil instead of English and Tamil. It is right on the Bay of Bengal. This statue of Ghandi is facing the street with the bay right behind. Between the street and the water there is a sandy area, but it doesn't make contact with the water. The bay is rough, and huge black rocks are placed to make it difficult to get to the water's edge. It is very beautiful.

Ekambareswarar temple

The mango tree at this temple is a shoot from a tree that lived for over 3000 years. The legend has it that Shiva was somehow involved in eating from it, or using it for a wedding ceremony. There is more than one legend. The tree has four varieties of mango on it, each with its own flavor. This temple is also in Koncheeporam, one of the seven sacred cities of India.

Koncheeporam

Koncheeporam is one of seven sacred cities in India, and has many temples. This man is a priest, and guided me around the first one we were at. I had trouble figuring out what he was telling me. We had paid the extra 10 rupees (20 cents) to bring in the camera, but it seemed as though he didn't want me to take pictures. He stayed with me, and soon a family caught up with us. I asked the lady if she spoke English. She nodded no, and went and got her husband. I asked him what the priest was saying and if I could take pictures. He told me that the priest was describing the temple, and yes, I could take pictures. After I took the first picture, he pointed at things and demanded that I take the picture! Michael and Aunty kind of ditched me, so I was on my own with him. When we got all finished and were back at the entrance, he asked for money. I rarely had any; that was Michael's area. When Michael and Aunty came in ahead of me (I was reading a sign), the priest offered them the tour. They said no, and he made a speech about it wasn't about money, just sharing his beliefs, so Michael didn't give him any money. He was a little bent out of shape, but hey, it wasn't about the money. Michael gave what the man wanted to a lady and baby outside the temple. Having someone attach to me uninvited, and sometimes annoying, then wanting money after the conversation or tour, was hard to get used to, but eventually I learned to say no, and mean it regardless of what they chose to do next.

More Mamallipurom

Most of things at Mamallipurom, which is actually the name of the town I believe, are temples and shrines carved into the rocks. This rock is called Buddha's Butterball. I have no idea why. Michael thinks it was put there, because how else would it get there? I am inclined to think it is natural, but why hasn't it rolled? If people put it there, how and why? It is intriguing. It sits right on the edge of a very steep slope. This entire area was fascinating! The monkeys were only at one particular temple, and were at that same one 9 months ago when Michael first visited here. I watched the monkeys for a long time.

Mamallipurom

Mamallipurom is a very ancient site. Most of it is open, so we could touch it and climb around. During the big tsunami, more of it got uncovered. The carvings are so incredible! Click on the picture to make it bigger, and study the detail. The site is very beautiful, and quite large. A person could easily spend a full day there, and want to come back for more. We were there about three hours, and I'm pretty sure I missed some things. There aren't signs with history or anything, but plenty of people are standing around willing to give you a guided tour, for just 100 rupees or so! We said no thanks. Wandering is more fun for Michael and me.

Mamallipurom

First, the spelling....I was watching the signs to help me remember pronunciation. I saw this place spelled Mamallipurom and Maballipurom. The next place, coming up here and on Facebook, was sometimes spelled Koncheepurom and sometimes Konjeepurom. When I asked Michael, the answer was they are trying to spell Tamil words with English letters, so whatever seems right to the sign maker goes. Makes sense to me!