OOPS!! Technical problems with my tablet :-(

My tablet computer is revolting at the number of photos I've downloaded onto it and it has officially gone wonky.  I'm in Goa, India right now, but I'll have to post details from Ooty's International Training Centre and Chiang Mai's Care for Dogs once I'm back in the States mid-June, 2014. 

Til then,
Namaste,
:-)

MK

Varanasi and Bodhgaya

Varanasi, one of the holiest Hindu cities, is known for its "burning ghats," where cremations take place in public alongside the Ganges River.  Photos of cremations should not be taken.

A boat on the Ganges that looks just a wee bit overcrowded...

The nightly river ceremony at Dashashwamedh Ghat.  A lot of people, a lot of flames, and a lot of smoke!

A gigantic wall of spinning thread spools used in Varanasi's extensive silk textile industry...some hand-embroidered sarees can fetch over 40,000 rupees (typical sarees run 200-300 rupees).

Varanasi included a visit to "Guruji," an astrologer who has consulted with Michael Jackson and Goldie Hawn (actual photos provided as proof).  I'm not usually into this stuff, but I figured if I was going to do this once, Varanasi would be one of the most spiritual places in the world to give it a whirl!!!  He read my palm and told me some startlingly specific details about my future life based on my date and place of birth; I now know when I am to get married, number of children I'll have, age of retirement, and minimum age I'd live up to (!!!)...hmmm.....we'll see about this!!!  The information does get into your mind, however, which is so powerful.  

Immediately after Varanasi, I went to Bodhgaya, where Siddhartha (Buddha) became enlightened and where I meditated at the International Meditation Centre for 5 days.  I asked the monk there his opinion on astrological forecasts, and he shook his head and smiled, which relieved me immensely.  Meditating for 5 days was challenging but I very much enjoyed it, and I am committed to now trying a 10-day retreat in the future!!  (I sadly somehow deleted my photos from the meditation center :'(   ).

Next up: a post from Ooty at the International Training Centre where I worked with Indian vets and veterinary students from the UK!

Khajuraho, an unplanned stop I'm glad I made!

Trains headed toward Varanasi were busy busy, so I decided to stop off in Khajuraho before heading to Varanasi.  Khajuraho, for being a relatively small town, has a seemingly disproportionately high number of "hasslers," (those individuals trying to direct you to certain hotels and persistently offering rickshaw rides and tours).  It was initially a bit of a turn-off and I really did not want to stay long, but I am glad that I stayed an extra night!

First, the Western group of temples dating back to 950, which are sometimes called the Kama Sutra temples (though only 1/10th of the sculptures are sexual in nature), are beautiful, well-preserved, and very spiritual structures with hundreds of ornate and detailed sculptures of humans, gods and goddesses (their representations) nymphs, elephants...

I found these temples to be far more spiritual than some of the more modern temples that tend towards flashy lights and signs and gold-colored accents.

Vishnu's boar incarnation, made out of sandstone, with detailed carvings of gods covering him

Lakshmana Temple sculptures (you can find the more "acrobatic" sculptures online elsewhere, though I did take photos!!  :-) ).

Half-lion/half-human sculpture

 

The goddess Durga

Surasundaris (heavenly nymphs per L.P.), again very highly detailed sculptures

Rear view of Lakshmana Temple

Islamic mosque, Buddhist stupa, and Hindu temple all represented in 1 building!

The annual Khajuraho Festival of Dances started the day after I arrived, and the unbelievably free performances were elegant, athletic, toe-tappingly entertaining, and included works of both traditional and modern choreography.

I also checked out a neat little museum called the Adivart Museum of Tribal and Folk Art...really friendly staff, very interesting artwork from rural tribes within India, and a nice quiet escape from the chatty locals outside!

Cat

Tree of Karma

Tribal body tattoos

Elephant containing tiny elephant prints within (this was possibly my favorite)

Eating in Khajuraho:  highly recommend Paradise Restaurant!!  Very friendly, honest and helpful owner-chef Giresh loves to cook and it shows!!  Tummy approved  :-)