Day 14 Sat. Dec. 1

 from the rooftop, the white tower reigns supreme

Our adventure today begins on the road to Thanjavur heading northeast.  We are in the province of Tamilnadu and our first stop is in an ancient city called Trichy (Tiruchirapalli),  which is famous for its Rock Fort in the middle of town, which we didn’t visit.  Instead, we went directly to Vishnu’s temple which is 236 ft. high, with 13 tiers.  It is the highest temple in all of Asia.   Our tour guide really wanted us to see the Srirangam Ranganathaswamy Temple, which celebrates the god, Vishnu.  Many pilgrims travel here to see the hall with 1000 pillars and the large black and white (polychromatic) sculpture (gopuram) of Vishnu’s eagle, which is the biggest in India.   The rearing horses sculptures, bearing riders, which are monolithic (carved from one giant rock piece) was amazing also.  This temple complex was a very busy place.  We first checked our shoes, which was a story in itself.  Ask us when we get home about checking shoes at temples in India.  We followed our leader past all the hawkers, tourists, and pilgrims in an organized chaos.  The smells were unbelievable!   Just imagine 100,000 people with no place to pee.  The men had it easy.  They just pissed on the sidewalk.  Try to imagine what the females did.   We took tons of photos and everyone welcomed the camera.  I enjoyed the white temple tower the most.  It was very beautiful.

 This Indian boy has new pokemon cards thanks to Milla's grandsons, Cole and Aidan.

Trichy is 55 km from Thanjavur, where we will spend the next two days.  Besides Vishnu’s famous ancient temple here in Trichy, there is the river Cauvery at the delta.  This river is as important to Hindi people in the south, as the Ganges River is in the north.  It is considered the waters from the gods, so we saw many, many people bathing in it and praying in it.  Also, many starving beggars congregate by this famous sacred river, so the visitors will feed them or give them money.  This was the first time young children tried to pick our pockets.  A 49 year old elephant, whose face was painted like a Hindu goddess, performed a Hindu blessing on anyone willing to pay something.   Barb Perry purchased a giant pile of bananas to feed the elephant, who gulped them down in an instant.   While this was happening, behind us two beggars were wrestling on the floor and whacking each other with a stick.  This was the first violent act we witnessed since we arrived in peaceful India.   Many of these beggars we missing arms and legs.  It reminded all of us not to waste, especially water and food. 

 hanging out at the temple - check out his typical "lungi"

India has reminded us to ...

• turn the tap off while brushing teeth and save 10 liters of water
• fill a mug and turn off the tap and wash your hands with this mug and save 10 liters of water
• fill a mug and turn off the tap and use that water to shave and save 10 liters of water
• if you discover a tap dripping, report it immediately and save up to 3000 liters per day

 elephant blessing

We also had a discussion about marriages.  We found out that ...

• marriages are still arranged by the parents
• once the girl is married, she becomes the responsibility of the man’s family
• the bride and groom are witnessed by nature not people
• the newly married couple become one for 7 reincarnations
• the bride brings a dowry to the man’s family and sometimes the husband kills his wife and marries again to gain wealth
• prior to the wedding day, the bride prays to Shiva for a nice husband

 Where's rob among the monolithic sculpture?

Today Milla stayed behind in the bus rather than going to the Temple.  She spotted several children, so quickly got off the bus with her bag of toys that her grandchildren had given her.  One little girl dragged her brother across the street to see what was in the black bag.  Milla pulled out trucks, stickers and crayons, which the kids loved.   A few minutes later, the same girl showed up with 2 other children, who also thought they would get goodies.  By the time all the children left there were few toys in the black “goodie bag”.  

 pick pockets start young

Our bus sped down the highway, dodging road barriers, other buses, people walking, and motorcycles and we safely arrived at 5 p.m. in Thanjavur.  The Sangam Hotel is old and dirty, but the people seem nice.  We are off to see if there is a pool and dinner is at 7 p.m.  Tomorrow we will find out what Thanjavur has to offer.

  at the riverside, 2 beggars started fighting over food

Note:  Kathy's phone doesn't seem to like this part of India.  I am sure it will work once we move to another city.  Pictures will also come as soon as the power is back to normal.

  be thankful you have a bed

 sarcred waters of Cauvery River