Colourful Vegetables I love the fresh-food markets of India, with their multicoloured foodstuffs and smiling people. This one in the town of Usilampatti in Tamil Nadu offered a range of fresh produce.
One of the things I love about India – and which always surprises me – is the extent and beauty of the countryside.
As of April 2023, India was estimated to have overtaken China as the most populous country in the world. In spite of that, you can drive great distances through an agrarian landscape, where people are thinly scattered as they engage in labour-intensive farming activities and small industry.
We were driving on a small-group adventure across South India in a mini bus. Having toured Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry in the east for nine days (see: Weekly Wanders Tamil Nadu), we were en route to neighbouring Kerala in the west.
We had driven for about an hour, west out of Madurai (see: Life Colour and Crowds), passing large fields – both fallow and neatly planted – before we stopped in Usilampatti for a walk through the morning market. Usilampatti is classified as a ‘town’, even though it has ten times the population of my home town!
Any visitor to these pages knows I love markets – so I was very pleased with the stop and the chance to interact with the locals away from the typical ‘tourist sites’.
The terrain around Usilampatti consists of pocket of red clay, making the area home to small brickwork factories. We stopped at one to watch the labourers form up the clay for sun-drying and kiln baking. Our guide makes this particular cottage industry a regular stop on his tours, and had collected all our hotel toothbrush kits for the children of the workers. I was pleased to see that the children themselves were in school: literacy rates in this part of India are much better than the national average.
Join me exploring some ‘town life’ in Southern India:
Scenes from a Bus : Mountains in the Distance We are not far out of Madurai on India’s NH85 when we leave all traces of that ancient city on the Vaigai River behind. (iPhone 12Pro)
Man with his Vegetable Baskets It is barely 9:00am in the morning but the Usilampatti market is already hot and bustling. (iPhone12Pro)
Aubergines – Eggplants – Brinjal – Baigan Whatever local name you give to solanum melongena, it is a staple in Indian cooking.
Baskets of Veggies in the Market The colours everywhere are wild!
Bitter Melon – Momordica Charantia This fruit is used in numerous dishes in South Indian cuisine.
Woman Fixing Flowers Everywhere you go in India, you find flowers woven into garlands for temple offerings. It is the seated patience of the people painstakingly putting the garlands together that always amazes me!
Flower Stalls There are a number of outlets selling garlands; they all look the same to me!
Fish Sellers I don’t know if these are fresh or salt water; we’re a decent distance from the ocean or any sizeable lakes.
Boys in the Market
Men in the Market The locals are all friendly and welcoming.
Market Corridor Light and dark alternate wildly with makeshift shade covers in place to protect the produce.
A Man in the Coconuts
Fruit Truck Near the main road outside the market, an opportunistic vender tries to capture passing trade.
Usilampatti Brickworks A short distance down the road, we stop at a small brick factory, and learn how clay building bricks are made. This is a labour intensive exercise, and historically, working conditions in brick yards were very poor (see: The Dark Side of the India Economic Boom).
Rows of Bricks Brick manufacture is growing as the demand for building products expands. Even a small factory like this one can produce 16,000 bricks a day.
Moving the Brick Forms There is concern about the reduction in fertile topsoil as a consequence of brick production. It is hard and repetitive work: a slurry of brick mud is packed into a form, smoothed out …
MNR Bricks … and stamped with a company logo before the form is removed and the bricks are left to dry in the sun.
Patterns in the Brickworks I love the pattern the repeated bricks make. (iPhone12Pro)
Woman at the Usilampatti Brickworks We thank the co-owner of the factory and take our leave.
Rows And Lines Two hours later, the vegetables still line up in the field and the mountains around Uthamapalayam dance on the horizon. (iPhone12Pro)
Our little group continued west, climbing into the Nilgiri Mountains – part of the Western Ghats – and finally into the Cardamom Hills of Kerala.
A History of Sacred Steel with the Lee Boys and Calvin Cooke The Grassy Knoll is a well-named little stage set-up at the Vancouver Island MusicFest. I was there bright and early on the Saturday morning – with a freshly-brewed coffee in hand and the sun overhead – to hear Alvin Lee explain the concept of ‘Sacred Steel’ and to demonstrate the sounds.
From folk to flamenco, from guzheng to Gypsy jazz, from poetry to Asian fusion: the lineup on day 2 of the 30th annual Vancouver Island Musicfest in Comox, BC, was undoubtedly eclectic!
Unlike the evening before (see: Expanding Boundaries: Vancouver Island Musicfest #1) when only the Concert Bowl mainstage was in play, during the day on the Saturday, five additional stages were operating. Four of these were due to start by 10:00am. Clearly I was going to have my work cut out for me.
The weather was glorious when I arrived in the morning to check out the site. Map and program in hand, I made my way to the Grassy Knoll, a small stage on a grassy hillock with facing bleachers intended to create a mini amphitheatre feeling. I managed to grab a coffee and arrive just as Alvin Lee (Uncle Al) was about to explain the roots of what they call “Sacred steel”: a unique form of blues-based Gospel music infused with rhythm and blues, jazz, rock, funk, hip-hop, country, and influences from other cultures.
Meanwhile, all around the site, single performers, bands, and even groups of bands were starting up. I wandered around enjoying the sun, the music, the venue, and the surrounding woods, taking in as much as I could. Some of the programs were billed as workshops / discussions; others were groupings of different artists under thematic titles; and the rest of the performances were more conventional ‘concerts’.
It was a long and full day which was musically rewarding.
Photographically, however, I struggled. Several of the volunteer organisers took issue with me carrying cameras around – although none could articulate what the actual problem was. I was well out of the way each time I was spoken to, and everyone else was taking video and still pictures with their phones! But, this made me extra mindful to not get in the way – however briefly. The stage set-up requires people at the front to sit, so walking around and getting any close-up pictures was almost impossible.
Add to this the bright sun, shaded woods and stages, and the very dark interior of The Barn, and I was constantly changing settings on cameras with which I’m still not adept.
But, it was a long day and I did take a lot of pictures in spite of it all – always hoping for ‘the one’. I’ve decided to allow myself a few extra images in this set, and to try to keep the words to a minimum.
Enjoy!
The Lee Boys Alvin Lee on lead guitar demonstrates the progression of sounds in what is called ‘Sacred Steel’ Gospel music.
“Living Legend” Calvin Cooke Eighty years old, and nominally retired, Calvin Cooke has been immersed in the Sacred Steel gospel traditions of Afro-American Pentecostal churches all his life, and has clearly earned the “Living Legend” sobriquet.
Peter Paul Van Camp By way of complete contrast to the joyful, heartfelt gospel I had left behind, I found Peter Paul Van Camp reading one of his quirky and thoughtful poems on the Grierson Stage.
Lester Quitzau The session is called Poems, Prayers and Promises, and includes a number of performers for whom the words are as important as the harmony – like award winning Roots/Blues singer songwriter Lester Quitzau.
Woodland Stage Determined to explore the whole festival venue, I found myself at the little Woodland Stage. Set up like a Gypsy tent in the forest, it is an intimate performance space.
Christy Vanden The set at the Woodland Stage was half way through, but I was there long enough to admire Christy Vanden’s delicate guitar and sweet vocals.
Gordie Tentrees Next up on the Woodland Stage were some irreverent and mesmerising story-telling songs from International Acoustic Music Award winner Gordie Tentrees.
Gordie Tentrees & Jaxon Haldane He was joined on stage by Jaxon Haldane, who is as magic on the guitar and banjo as he is producing hauntingly eerie sounds on the wood saw.
John McLachlan on the Concert Bowl Stage
Asian Culture Old and New Back on the Grierson Stage, three separate musical acts were collected for an Asian-influenced session …
Jing Xia … called: Asian Culture Old and New. Award winning guzheng artist Jing Xia joyfully shares her music.
Danhae Oh Second Moon, whom I’d seen briefly the day before (see: Expanding Boundaries), took their turn on the Asian Culture stage. Danhae Oh’s vocal prowess is breathtaking!
Yunjeong Jo – Second Moon
Hyunbo Kim – Second Moon
Multi-Instrumentalist Benj Rowland on Hurdy-Gurdy In The Barn, the composite session is entitled: Who Are We?
Grace Petrie and Ben Moss Independant English folk singer-songwriters who collaborated on the Barn Stage, these two performed some sweet-sounding but hard-hitting songs. (iPhone15Pro)
Belén Rojas and Friend As part of the Chilean duo Chola y Gitano, Bella and another musician who’s name I couldn’t find, provide accompaniment to …
Gitano (Gypsy) … Damián Gallardo as he performs …
Damián Gallardo … some dramatically percussive footwork.
Workshop on Slide Guitar Back outside amongst the trees, Lester Quitzau was on the Crossroads Stage talking about – and demonstrating – the way different well-known artists had approached slide guitar over the years.
1951 Austin Panel Van Music festivals are often associated with hippies and camping out. This delightful installation by Burnaby resident Lyle Brown-John plays on those ideas.
Christy Vanden In another themed session in The Barn, some of the Canadian performers at the festival paid “Tribute to the Great Canadian Songwriters”.
Wayne Levesque On the Grassy Knoll, Wayne Levesque tells stories of living and working in the wilds of BC.
Stephanie Chou As if by way of complete contrast, the next performance on the Concert Bowl Stage was the Stephanie Chou Quintet. New York-based composer, saxophonist, and singer Stephanie Chou blends Chinese musical influences with Western jazz.
Leon Timbo The Concert Bowl Stage was the only one still operating. I seated myself as centrally as I could and enjoyed some very different musical genres. Country-soul singer-songwriter Leon Timbo’s style incorporates soul, gospel, and funk.
Leo Kottke Fancy-fingered and softly spoken, acoustic guitarist Leo Kottke followed.
Lucinda Williams Multi-Grammy-winning country blues songwriter Lucinda Williams had the audience on its feet.
Night had descended, and the audience no longer heeded the signage about sitting areas. People rushed in front of the stage and blocked the view of those of us who’d sat patiently in the full sun all afternoon.
I decided to forgo the last act of the day and headed to the Merch tent to buy some new CDs before heading home.
It had been a good day, and I certainly got my steps in!
Old and New Every nook and cranny in Greece is layered in history. For example: in the middle of Nafplio Harbour there is a beautiful, historic castle – Bourtzi Castle Fortress – built by the Venetians between 1471 and 1473. On ancient Mount Arachnaion in the background, controversial wind turbines generate energy for the Peloponnese region.
I loved everything about Greece.
I love Greek coffee and food. I loved the landscape and the architecture, and the history layered within it all. I loved how the place names were both exotic and vaguely familiar from long-forgotten school lessons.
And, I loved the variety that was in every day of the small-group tour I took part in on the mainland.
In just one morning on the Peloponnese Peninsula, we drove through the spectacular mountains and charming villages between Dimitsana (see: Mountain Villages and Hidden Monasteries) and Nafplion (Nafplio), where we visited a family run distillery to learn about the making of ouzo, that anise-infused quintessentially Greek liquor. An alcohol taste-testing at ten in the morning is a risky business: I bought more than one bottle!
We were given a few free hours to explore the sites, streets, shops, and eateries of Nafplio, a delightful seaside town that was once the capital of Greece. Then, back in our bus to continue across the Peloponnese to ancient Epidaurus (Epidavros), the most famous healing centre of the AncientGreek and Roman world. There, we had a locally guided tour of the museum and the magnificent UNESCO-listed third-century theatre.
Our last stop of the day before continuing to Athens was at the Corinth Canal. First conceived of in the 7th century BCE, and finally completed and opened in 1893, this 6.4 km (4.0 mile) cleft through the Isthmus of Corinth is interesting, but too narrow to be of much practical value today.
Do join me:
Morning in Dimitsana I was enchanted by the mountain village of Dimitsana: the view from my balcony was mesmerising. (iPhone12Pro)
Scenes from a Bus : Argos Crossroads Our morning trip takes us through dramatic mountains and attractive villages. (iPhone12Pro)
The Owner of the Karonis Distillery Just outside of Nafplio, fifth-generation distiller Yiannis Karonis welcomes us to his property. He introduces us to the process of distilling alcohol from grapes in large copper vats, …
Dried Angelica … and shows us some of the fruits, herbs, and spices that go into the making of ouzo, tsipouro (raki), and specialty Greek liqueurs.
In the Karonis Distillery Museum The family-owned Karonis Distillery first opened in 1869 – and has collected some historic memorabilia along the way.
Keys to the Safe I love these old keys – they have such character!
Bell Tower After the Venetian Bourtzi Castle Fortress in Nafplio Harbour, my first sighting in the city itself was the bell tower of the Orthodox Church of Panagia. In Medieval and Modern Greek, Panagia is one of the affectionate titles for Mary; this church is devoted to the Presentation of Virgin Mary. The church itself dates the the 15th century, and was significantly changed during the second Venetian occupation (around 1700), the bell tower was added in 1907.
Statue of King Otto King Otto was a young Bavarian Prince who reigned over the newly-independent Kingdom of Greece from 1832 until he was deposed in 1862. This bronze statue in Nafplio’s Trion Navarchon Square was created by Florinian artist Nikolaos Dogoulis (1937 – 2013).
Palamidi Fortress Built by the Venetians between 1711 and 1714, this baroque fort has commanding views over the Argolic Gulf, the city of Nafplio, and the surrounding countryside. In spite of that, it was captured by the Ottomans in 1715.
Old Doorway Some of the buildings around town are showing their age.
Archimandrite Christoforos Kokinis You are never far from a reminder of the Orthodox faith. An archimandrite is the superior of a large monastery or group of monasteries.
Nafplion Housefronts
Pensiones The cobbled streets and laneways are a delight to wander.
Kokkinou Steps It is easy to get your exercise!
Ottoman Fountain There is a surprise around every corner.
Colourful Cloths The streets are lined with cheerful restaurants, …
Stylised Ancient Greek Horse … clothing boutiques, and arts and craft stores.
Coffee Pot I stopped in a gorgeous jewellery boutique and bought myself a pair of earrings inscribed with a Greek love poem in elegant calligraphy. Then, it was definitely time for a Greek coffee and some lunch. (iPhone12Pro)
A Deconstructed Falafel with Bulgur Sokaki (“Back Alley”) Fresh and delicious! (iPhone12Pro)
Waterfront Musings The waterfront is serene in the midday sun; Bourtzi Castle floats off on the other side of the harbour. (iPhone12Pro)
Local Guide Just half an hour later, we were on the other side of the peninsula at Epidaurus to meet our local guide.
Medicinal Scripts and Potions in Ancient Greek UNESCO touts the Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus as a testament to the healing cults of the Ancient World and the turning-point in terms of emergence of scientific medicine. The stone tablets recovered around the site are effectively medicinal treatment plans. (iPhone12Pro)
Draping Fabric in Marble The Archaeological Museum of Epidaurus is one of the oldest museums of ancient Greek architecture. I was allowed my phone inside, but not my cameras. (iPhone12Pro)
Metal Tools Originally, the site had major religious importance in the cult of Asclepius. Over time, practitioners began using herbs, cleansing rituals, and other techniques that transformed treatments from divine to more scientific. (iPhone12Pro)
The Corinth Canal Our last stop on the Peloponnese was at the rather impressive canal that joins the Gulf of Corinth in the Ionian Sea with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea.
From ouzo to earrings, from mountain villages to coastal cities, from modern boutiques and trendy cafés to ancient healing spas … Talk about variety!
Stop and Smell the Flowers Yass is a charming heritage town south-west of Sydney on the Hume Highway. I’d driven past or through many times – but had never actually stopped! (iPhone6)
Do you find you tend to ignore your own backyard?
I often do. I’ll go to great lengths and distances to visit places afar, while making little time for sights closer to home.
But, away from the more-populated coast, country New South Wales (like country Queensland) has some attractive old towns, with interesting histories, and main streets lined with old colonial and federation architecture.
Take Yass, for example. First settled by Europeans in 1830, this charming sheep-farming community boasts a number of well-preserved 19th-century heritage buildings. Sitting where it does, 280 km (174 mi) south-west of Sydney on the Hume Highway, it was on our path if ever we drove from Sydney to Melbourne. We’d remark on the signposts – the name amused my children – as we skirted it enroute to Canberra or the Snowy Mountains.
Then, finally, it landed more squarely on my path. We were travelling south from the Hunter Valley and had appointments in Canberra. An overnight stop in Yass made sense.
And when we took our walk in the morning, we were rewarded.
Later that same day, on our way home to the Far South Coast, we stopped for a photo-walk in the equally-historic town of Bungendore on the other side of Canberra. Laid out in a Georgian-influenced grid by colonial government surveyor James Larmer in 1837, this small town on the Kings Highway near Lake George grew after the railway arrived in early 1885.
I’d been through Bungendore many times when taking the alternate route between Sydney and the Snowy Mountains. I loved stopping there for coffee and a visit to the most-excellent Wood Works shop in the centre of town, but had never explored further.
I couldn’t find much information about some of the buildings in town, but we enjoy our unstructured walk-about.
Both towns were a delight and well worth visiting.
Yass Valley Courthouse Designed by Scotsman James Barnet, who was the serving Colonial Architect for Colonial New South Wales (1862 – 1890), this building opened in 1880, replacing an earlier 1847 structure. (iPhone6)
National Australia Bank Surveyor and architect John Frederick Hilly designed a number of churches and public buildings in Sydney. This bank building – originally belonging to the Commercial Banking Company of Sydney Limited – was built in 1872. (iPhone6)
Westpac Bank Building This beautiful Victorian building, dating to 1886, originally housed the Australian Joint Stock Bank. Bank of New South Wales (Westpac) took the building over in 1931. Today – like so many other rural services – it is permanently closed. (iPhone6)
Reflections of the Old Railway Bridge Yass was connected to the New South Wales Government Railways’ Main Southern railway line in 1892. This heritage-listed, single span lightweight bridge across the Yass River carried the Yass Town Tramway. It was the first American-style Pratt-truss railway bridge in NSW. Although it closed to regular service in 1988, it is still sound. (iPhone6)
Spring Blossoms It is October, so the fruit trees of Bungendore are in full bloom.
Bungendore Real Estate Agent Many of the businesses in town occupy charming old country buildings.
Royal Hotel Originally opened in 1883, the Royal Hotel features the elegant ironwork typical in Australian buildings from the period. It closed in 2020 (some years after this photo was taken) for a complete internal renovation, reopening for business early this year.
Gibraltar Street
Philip’s Anglican Church One of many churches around town, the old stone building housing St Philip’s was finished in 1865. As far as I can tell, the church has operated continuously since then.
Corrugated Iron and Brick Chimney Pots
Bungendore Post Office Built in 1882, the post-office complex includes a three-bedroom residence in a separate building from the business.
A Leafy School of Arts Building (1890)
Gallipoli Memorial Most Australian towns have a tribute to the soldiers they lost on the Gallipoli Peninsula in WWI (see: In Remembrance of the ANZACs).
Empty Lots and Old Buildings
St Joseph’s Convent This impressive double- and triple-brick two-storey building opened in 1891, and often housed Australia’s only beatified Catholic saint, St Mary of the Cross MacKillop. It is now privately owned.
A Bee in the Capeweed (Arctotheca Calendula)
A Gate on the Wild Garden I can’t help but admire the old ironwork that was a feature of so many properties.
St Mary’s Catholic Church Opened in 1862, this church is still in use.
Inside St Mary’s It was closed, but I had a peep through the window.
Sulphur Crested Cockatoo – Cacatua Galerita These noisy birds are everywhere; they love the seeds in the tall trees.
Wisteria This is another common sight in spring: wisteria was popular with early settlers, and can be seen in hedges everywhere.
Bungendore Shops It is time for afternoon tea, so we make our way back to the tourist centre.
Bungendore Wood Works This is my absolute favourite spot in town: full of beautiful artworks crafted from fine woods. I often bring overseas visitors here.
The Hannah Cabinet This magnificent piece inside the Wood Works was painstakingly crafted by Geoff Hannah over six and a half years. After this photo was taken, the cabinet was acquired by Lismore Regional Gallery, where it was damaged in the devastating floods of 2022 (see: ABC Flood Damaged Artworks).
The Wood Works has lots of smaller pieces, and I usually end up going home with something new – whether for myself or as a gift.
They also have a coffee shop – and that’s where we ended up before finishing our drive home.
Flower Seller The flower market in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, is one of the biggest markets in India, selling all manner of flora to local and export traders.
Like other Indian cities, Madurai in the southern state of Tamil Nadu offers up some magnificent palace and temple architecture.
But, it was the life in the streets that I loved best.
I was travelling around South India with a small group. We had driven to Madurai from Thanjavur the day before, stopping to visit two old and notable Hindu temples in Tiruchirappalli on the way (see: Temples and Street Scenes).
We had another temple on our itinerary for the day ahead: the historic Arulmigu Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, also known as Arulmigu Meenakshi Amman Thirukkovil, built in the late 12th, early 13th century. But, it was India’sRepublic Day – and clearly half the local populace had the same destination in mind. The temple is a major pilgrimage destination within Tamil Shaivism traditions, and the public holiday was an auspicious day for weddings, baptisms, and just paying respects in general. In spite of our guide’s best efforts, we were looking at more than an hour in a queue before being allowed through the temple’s impressive doors.
We had already visited the city’s renowned flower market and the impressive 17th century Thirumalai Nayak Palace – both of which I loved, so I was not too disappointed when the group opted to wander and shop, rather than stand in line. I was happy to engage with locals on the street and to view some of the impressive and colourful gopurams (monumental towers) from the rooftop of a nearby shop.
Join me in the streets of Madurai.
Mattuthavani Flower Market All manner of flowers – mostly grown in the nearby foothills – are for sale.
Crowd in the Market The flower market is open 24 hours most days, with early mornings reputed to be the busiest. We arrived relatively late: around 9:30 am, but the laneways were still crowded.
Flowers for Sale According to some reports, there are about 10 tonnes of flowers on display.
Bags of Flowers Wikipedia put the number of growers selling their flowers in the market at about 2000 daily (see: Madurai).
Value Adding Everywhere you look, hands are busy at work, fashioning flowers and ribbons together to make elaborate garlands.
Jasmine Garlands Finished garlands are mostly destined to be temple offerings. The local jasmine – Madurai Malli – smells divine.
In a Market Laneway
Women with Lotus Flowers Lotuses are another popular local offering.
Crafting the Lotus The flower is associated with the Hindu God Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi.
Opening the Lotus Flowers A powerful symbol in Hinduism and Buddhism, …
A Lotus Flower … the lotus represents purity, strength, resilience, and rebirth.
Jasmine in the Flower Stalls
Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam On our way back to the centre of the city, we stopped to admire the huge, man-made Vandiyur Mariamman water tank, connected to the nearby Vaigai River with underground channels. The tank – and the temple in the middle – was built in 1645 by King Tirumala Nayaka (spellings vary).
Drying Dyed Threads At the side of the road alongside the tank was the most extraordinary scene: …
Freshly Dyed Threads … meters of threads intended to be woven into sari cloth were stretched out to dry. Men keep the freshly dyed threads moving, so they don’t stick together.
Kingfisher Meanwhile, a little kingfisher watches the tank for food.
Thirumalai Nayak Palace Clocktower Our next stop was at a palace built by King Tirumala Nayaka in 1636, using bricks excavated while digging the tank we had just visited. The clock is wrong – it is 10:30 in the morning.
Main Hall The Thirumalai Nayak Palace (spellings vary) is elegantly beautiful. The story is that the king enlisted the help of an Italian architect. Art historians doubt this, suggesting that this fine example of Vijayanagara architecture came about because of the influence of the many Portuguese, Dutch, and other European traders, missionaries, and visiting travelers in this region at the time.
Decorated Arches The delicate colours and detail everywhere are mind-boggling. The brick structure was finished-off with a stucco called chunnam made from shell lime mixed with egg white. This results in the glossy, smooth texture.
A Griffini-Like Creature
Painted Ceiling Detail The ceilings of the palace are richly decorated.
Visitor to the Palace
Light and Colour The internal pillars and external walls launch high overhead to give an open, airy feel.
Narasimhar – God of Yoga What was the Dance Hall now houses a display of archaeological objects – some dating back to 2000 BCE. Unfortunately, the space is dark, dusty, and unkempt. It’s sad to see precious historical objects so poorly cared for.
In the Streets: Still Life Found In the centre of town, we attempt to access the Meenakshi Amman Hindu Temple.
Entry Gate: Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple It doesn’t look that crowded – what we didn’t realise was that police and security forces had people lining up all along the outside walls of the temple. (Phone12Pro)
Flower Seller I amused myself by chatting with one of the many venders outside the temple. She pinned my purchase of Madurai Malli into my hair for me. (Phone12Pro)
Bride and Groom Republic Day is an auspicious time for blessings on any event, and there were a number of wedding parties outside the temple. Looking at the elaborate garlands worn by the bride and groom, you start to understand where some of the tonnes of flowers at the market end up! (Phone12Pro)
‘Baptism’ It’s a bit like a baptism – on an auspicious day (like Republic Day) towards the end of a baby’s first year, their head is shaved and the hair given to the household God. The infant is then washed, dried, and their head covered in yellow paste. This little girl was not impressed, but her family were in a celebratory mood. (Phone12Pro)
Our next stop was at the impressive and educative Gandhi Museum, where I was reminded of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi’s background and enormous influence on India and the broader world. It was in Madurai, in 1921, that Gandhi renounced European-style clothing and decided to wear the white loincloth that he considered symbolic of India’s poor.
I left Madurai with countless colourful impressions – as well as some new carved elephants, and some embroidered cottons. 😊
- Performing the Ganga Aarti from Dasaswamedh Ghat, Varanasi
- Buddha Head from Shwedagon Pagoda, Myanmar
- Harry Clarke Window from Dingle, Ireland
- Novice Monk Shwe Yan Pyay Monastery, Myanmar
Packets of 10 for $AU50.
Or - pick any photo from my Flickr or Wanders blog photos.
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More on that some other time.
Until next time,
