INDIA: A 26 day odyssey.

This is the entrance to the hindu temple complex where the not-to-be-missed festival was held. A once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunity, where my camera batteries ran out and the replacement set just bought turned out to be duds!
The venerable citizen approaching turned out to be an army veteran who had been much decorated, and honoured by his regiment. He was pleased to tell us all about it, and showed us some newspaper cuttings about it. Nice chap, a real character.
Then, we left our shoes at the gate and wandered in to see the fifteen huge elephants and the fantastical things inside- but you'll just have to take my word for that.

McT, Thanks for the pictures, and you know that your word is worth much to many of those that know you. More pictures, if you please.

But it's great that you got that wonderful MOON shot.
I love the bungalow in Bangalore

Not yet met. Letys hope he calls me next time.

Nyways India is cool and hot as well as it has been always.

Northern India is Freezing with recordbreaking cold in the last 70 yrs.

South India is pleasenly Warm & Cozy

Mumbai is somewhat confused though... Cold in Nights and Warm in days

I am a confused Mumbaite

Oh great pic, McTag, so glad you got one of the temple, moon and old dude! I was looking at bangles to buy...

tsk, tsk, Clary!

Did you get your shoes back or had they gone walkabout?

Aha. Well, this troubled me at first, but the man (there's always a man) gave us a ticket as receipt, and on coming back out, and on coming out with 10 rupees, we were able to reclaim our footwear- for which I was very grateful, as the old plates were not too happy on gravel.
Next year, perhaps will try the nails, broken glass or hot coals.

or high stillettos maybe

Hey Guys,

Its Makar Sankranti Here! The official Indian Kite Flying festival.

Celebrated in different regions in India & Thailand by Thai Indo Community as Makar Sankranti, Pola, Lohri, Pongal, Thai Pusam, sankranti the festival has a special significance attached to its celebration, the day when according to the Hindu astronomy the sun enters the rashi (zodiac) of Makara (Capricorn), is celebrated as the Kite Flying Day. The clear blue sky seems to beckon everyone, and the people surrender themselves to the joy of kite flying. And thus, the sky-since morning to evening-remains dotted with vivid splashes of colour as kites in a variety of hues, shapes and sizes dart across the azure blue. The excitement is difficult to contain with the onset of night. In the developing darkness youngsters continue their struggle for supremacy in the sky, now with the paper lanterns tied to their kite-strings. These lanterns are known as tukkal and a series of them swaying at the mild stroke of wind presents a lovely image.



PONGAL (as shown in pics) in South India, Pola or Sankranti in Maharashtra or Lohri in Punjab is more about thanks giving to the cattle who work hard for the harvest.






LOHRI or POLA designs on a Bull who is being thanksgiven,



Kite Flying is a common gesture of the festival. Too Bad it isn't a Government Holiday in Mumbai.

Hey Vinny, check this

http://www.guardian.co.uk/india/story/0,,1688196,00.html

feels good... But yes we have way to go!

In fact in IT & Jewellery markets the contribution is awesome. Now-a-days our foreign collaborators \ clients call us "India inside" than "Intel inside".
:wink: