the city of Madurai, Tamil Nadu, INDIA

one of the directional temples at Sri Meenakshi Temple

Maidurai is a big, bustling, polluted city of over 1.5 million located in southern India.  It is also the city of Sri Meenakshi Temple, the apex of south Indian architecture, (as the Taj is northern's) It is a complex of temples and it reminded me of the Vatican in scope and pilgrimages.12 towers of over 150' in height are the center of the complex.  They are adorned with a dazzling array of god + demons +  heroes. This is the "gaudy" colorations that are painted and restored year after year.  It took me awhile to get used to this aesthetic.  (remember when the Sistine Chapel was restored?; I'd use the same terminology: gaudy!)

  It was built in 1560, but the history of the temple goes back further to 2000 years.  
Meenakshi, in the legend was born with 3 breasts!  At the time when she would meet her husband the additional breast would fall off.  She met Shiva and became his consort. (now you know you are not in the Vatican).

Sunset ..... the complex from the inner sanctums

absolutely breathtaking

Sunset at temple
Humanity thronged the complex especially as it got closer to sunset.  This is your Indian experience..... trying to calmly jostle  into your little piece of space to enjoy the sacred.
It Ain't Easy. 

That evening we were invited to Charles' mother's home for dinner.  (this is Charles' place of birth) Lucky Us.
Modest and small....we certainly caused a spectacle as we walked down the tiny lane to her apartment.
She made delicious chapati and a potato curry.  Also a sweet
and lovely almost pound-like cake.  The others had "mutton" (in India that would be goat) curry and loved it .......but unfortunately they were ill the next day.  All part of the experience.  Tip: eat Only vegetarian/vegan  and you Rarely get sick  (of course others think you "miss" out on everything)
i think not. The Brahmin class is strictly vegetarian and the delicacy and refined vegetarian food found in India is truly Sublime.
travelin' woman