On our way back from the orphanage we passed the circus being set up. We were like kids pleading with their parents, “Oh please please Sudhakar can we go to the circus.” Of course Sudhakar, being the softy he is, made arrangements for all of us to go the circus. They had trapeze performers, animal acts, gymnastic and balancing acts. They had an Elephant who, using his trunk, batted balls. But the greatest act was the performer who drank a pitcher of water containing 3 gold fish. After drinking the pitcher of water AND the three fish he showed us there was nothing in his mouth. Then he regurgitated the first fish, again showed us there was nothing in his mouth. Then he regurgitated a second fish. Finally he regurgitated the last fish BUT NOTHING CAME OUT. He tried again and again and finally gave up. We never saw what happened to the last fish. I guess that was his dinner.
Brihadeeswarar Temple at night
Going back to the hotel we passed the Brihadeeswarar Temple, which is lighted at night. It is very impressive at night with the lights.
Day 8 September 30 – Tanjore and Drive to Madurai
We finish our journey in Thanjavur (Tanjore) with a visit to the magnificent Brihadeeswarar Temple. Known as the 'Big Temple, it is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is an important example of Tamil architecture during the Chola dynasty. It is one of the largest temples in India and one of India's most prized architectural sites. Built by emperor Raja Raja Chola I and completed in 1010 AD.
The vimanam (or temple tower) is 216 ft high and is among the tallest of its kind in the world. The Kumbam (bulbous structure on the top) of the temple is carved out of a single rock and it weighs around 80 tons. At the temple entrance is a big statue of Nandi, sacred bull, carved out of a single rock. Nandi measures 16 feet long and 13 feet high. The temple is constructed of granite that was probably quarried from Tiruchirappalli, about 36 miles to the west of Thanjavur. The temple is the most visited tourist attraction in Thanjavur and Tamil Nadu state.
After our temple visit it is time to hit the highway for our journey to Madurai. Along the way our first discovery was a road-side local Cashew Nut Roaster. They gather the raw cashews and use the natural cashew oils to roast the nuts. It is not a very exact process and many of the nuts were burnt. A little further we came across a troop of Monkeys. Everyone loves monkeys I think it is because we see ourselves as children. But the most interesting stop of the day was coming up next.
Ayyanar temple in Chettinaadu (A)
Located several miles from the village of Chettinad, in Central Tamil Nadu, we stopped to visit the Ayyanar temple. This does not fit the traditional view of a temple with walls and ceiling. Nor does it adhere to the rules of Hinduism, which state a temple must have a roof and finial in order to house the essence of the gods. What we discovered was one of those fascinating, spiritual and peaceful sights of Southern India. Ayyanar temple in Chettinaadu (B)
Once through the gate we walked on a dusty village road, flanked by rows of terracotta horses, leading to the main part of the temple. The horses are offerings to the Ayyanar, protector of rural villages. There were hundreds of terracotta horses lining the path; some looked new while others were crumbled horses In India temple priests come from the Brahmin caste. Priests at an Ayyanar are non-Brahmins and belong to mostly the potter caste. The horse statues continued for several kilometers where it ended at the shrine. Before entering the final “inner sanctum” the priest asked us to remove our shoes and for a donation for the temple upkeep. The Ayyanar temple in Chettinaadu is supplemented with new clay horses every year, while the old ones decay with the rains and the winds.
- Southern India
Southern India Photo Page 7