It was a gruelingly early morning for me today; had to get up at 4:30 to depart the hotel at 5:45 to arrive at the Cochin airport in sufficient time to catch a morning flight to Bangalore (now Bangaluru). I'm not a person who gets up in the wee hours easily but when traveling this is often a necessity. Took a very nice Jet Airways flight full of the India equivalent of silicon valley professional types (not the usual clientele we've flown with) headed to Bangalore which made for a very pleasant trip. I don't often engage in conversation with seat partners on planes especially when I'm sleep deprived and hoping to catch a few winks but somehow casual conversation began with a charming man next to me. It turned into the most delightful and fascinating exchange about his life and his spiritual beliefs. I'd mentioned our travels through Tamil Nadu and my interest in going deeper into understanding of the Hindu religion beyond what one can see on the surface. That seemed to open a door and he told me about his spiritual practice in such a beautiful way that I was both exhilarated and moved. I was happy to have met him.
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| Ceremonial Wedding of Vishnu to his Consorts |
After landing we set off on a four-hour drive to Madras. We are now traveling with delightful Lakuma, Cliff and Cathy's guide from 2008. On the way we stopped at a Vishnu Temple outside Bangaluru to witness a ceremonial wedding of Vishnu to his consorts. We were blessed by a Brahmin priest, drank holy water infused with special herbs and received bindis.
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| Lunch on a Banana Leaf |
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| Transporting Bags Filled with Silk Cocoons |
We stopped at a fascinating Cocoon Market where silk cocoons grown locally (Mulberry trees grow well in this area) are sold. This appeared to be a predominantly Muslim enterprise. Walked through a small Muslim neighborhood to see silk cocoons begin boiled to kill the silk work inside and then the unraveling of the cocoon. Huge machines were winding bobbins of silk thread but what was fascinating to watch is the skill of the men who are able to pull the threads from the silk cocoon. Threads go to silk weaving centers around the country to be woven. Mysore is one of those silk weaving cities.
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| Workers in the Silk Thread Factory |
At 4pm reached Mysore at last! Headed straight to the world famous Mysore Palace for a tour given by Lakuma. It was jammed with Indian tourists from all over the country, Returned at 7:30pm to see the Palace illuminated by lights. Glorious!
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| Mysore Palace by Day |
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| Mysore Palace by Night! |
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| Courtney and Lakuma |
Had dinner with Lakuma at a restaurant outdoors. Had one of the best meals we've had this trip. Lakuma thinks it's freezing in the evening this time of year and sat huddled wrapped in a beautiful shawl draped over her head and shoulders.
Had dinner with Lakuma at a restaurant outdoors. Had one of the best meals we've had this trip. Lakuma thinks it's freezing in the evening this time of year and sat huddled wrapped in a beautiful shawl draped over her head and shoulders.
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