Thursday, Feb 6th, Mahabalipuram, India

Greetings!

On our way to finding India's Bay of Bengal Surf Spot (more on that later), we visited three temples, two museums, a silk weaving family, and a church.

We started with the silk weavers, a home industry neighborhood wherein families take shifts at the loom.  Yes, Pat bought a scarf or two, and the density of the silk strands is incredible.

The city of Kanchipuran was the capitol for the Pavlava dynasty during its almost 600-year rule beginning about the 3rd century AD.  Considered one of the seven sacred cities of Hinduism, it' contains temples which were built in the 6th snd 7th centuries, and exhibits the architectural features for which the Dynasty is known.  Some are rock-carved of granite, others built of rock foundations with sandstone structures.  All display Hindu dieties, mythology, and are the sites of pilgrimages and worship.

Ekanbereshwara, a 25-acre complex, dedicated to the diety Shiva, contains four gateway towers, numerous shrines, many halls (one of which has a thousand pillars).  There is a  story centering around a 3,500 year old tree in the courtyard.  Legend has it that once Parvati, the consort of Shiva was cursed to become dark like Kali She wanted to expatiate herself from the sin by doing penance under the temple's ancient Mango tree near Vegavathi river.^[6] In order to test her devotion Shiva sent fire on her. Goddess Parvati prayed to her brother, Vishnu, for help. In order to save her, he took the Moon from Shiva's head and showed the rays which then cooled down the tree as well as Parvati. Shiva again sent the river Ganga (Ganges) to disrupt Parvati's penance. Parvati prayed to Ganga and convinced her that both of them were sisters and so should not harm her. Subsequently, Ganga did not disturb her penance and Parvati made a Shiva Linga out of sand to get united with Shiva. The God here came to be known as Ekambareswarar or "Lord of Mango Tree"

Kanchi Kailasanatha is a great example of a sandstone structure containing a large number of carvings, including half-animal deities popular in the Pavlava period.

On the way home, we also visited St Tomas Basilica, on behalf of our friend and fellow activist Tomas Els.  And soon afterward went looking for (and found) probably the only surfing spot on the Bay of Bengal (complete with a surf club).

To see those photos and more, click on: Thursday, Feb 6th, Mahabalipurum, India.