shrirengham

a good nights sleep awoke early 6am and out just before 7am.....standing on the balcony      the view from all sides are temples and archways its absolutely breathtaking...we are staying on the main thoroughfare to the temples....some of the biggest in india...there is a constant stgream of pilgrims on their way to pujas.......before we set out the elderly ;ady of the hotel got us some strong tea....it was strong stuff...it would set us up for the morning....a delightful smiling lady very gentle in her manner.....we were up and away into the throng joining the tidal wave of pilgrims....we really felt part of it....not a tourist in site...apart from us....this wave of humanity was going in various directions because there so many temples....we were weaving our way through archways which are the entrances to the temples....the streets are bulging with people and the shops were starting to open up for the day ahead....no hassle this early the streetwise sellers were still in bed....the only word that i have to describe the scene is ...gobsmacked by the sheer size and beauty and atmosphere of the temples standind all around an imposing presense that dwarfed the small town....the photos that we take will only show a glimpse of what we emotionally felt...awe....we were entranced .......finding hidden corners.....tiny roadside shrines...a priest that we talked too who gave us holy water....a privelidge....no hassle ....a general hum of pilgrims praying...giving offerings...they to wre excited...people from different parts of india.....lots of groups of men dressed in similar coloured lungis...their heads decorated bwith bindy marks and colours....all smiling ....pleased to be at this holy place just like us......in the temple i was blessed by an elephant after putting a small denomination coin in his trunk....he gently touched my head with his trunk..........a very special moment in my life...we walked around the temples soaking up the atmosphere...often sitting quietly watching and listening....the temptation is to use the camera.....then you can miss the total experience to easily .....i dont want to only see india through a lens.....even the words dont do the visit justice ... i hope that they at least convey our state of mind in that few hours....the rest of the world did not exist......we were in another world........................back to a different reality....looking for a bank....not as easy as you think......finally the hotel keeper arranged  for a money changer to come from trichi by rickshaw.........this can only happen in india....this event was followed by lots of laughter ....hand shaking and tips all round.......what a friendly bunch of people........then it was time to move on....