May 23...A day to see the sights

It's Sunday and we're headed to Mamallapuram (மாமல்லபுரம்) also known as Mahabalipuram. It is about a 45 minute drive from my mom's house. We got the A/C bus...it is about three times the price as the open air bus, but still about $1.70 round trip (76 rupees) and well worth it when it was already in the 90s early in the morning. I am so thankful for A/C!

It was difficult to take photos from the bus window, but hopefully I can go back another time to see more places along the way. My mom has a car here, but she no longer has a driver and foreigners are strongly discouraged from driving here. It is far too dangerous. As we drive along, I see the bus driver drive on the opposite side of the road to pass people forcing the cars on the other side off the road. This was somewhat startling to me, but my mom told me that it is simply the way they do things here.

They do have barriers up at certain places along the road to force drivers to slow down. Below is a picture of one of the barriers which reduces the road to one lane and forces drivers to slow down and even stop if there is traffic coming from the opposite direction.


We also passed VGP Golden Beach (see below) and MGM Dizzee World (I think it is interesting that the name is just slightly different than Disney World...not sure if there is any affiliation.)


Many areas are deserted with only a wall left beside the main road. These are areas were villages existed before the Tsunami washed them away.


They are building many resorts in this area. Many Indians come to this area to vaction along the beach...I found myself living close to the ocean again, but this doesn't feel like Daytona Beach.


Along the way we had to stop to let a heard of cattle cross the road. There were no people with them...just the cattle roaming the land.


We're here!...


It is not wise to have someone take a picture for you because they may take your camera and run. Therefore, we took turns taking the pictures of each other. The landscaping is so beautiful and peaceful here. It is very hot, but not near as bad in the shade.

My mom next to Arjuna's Penance bas-relief, also known as the Descent of the Ganges...


One of the carved stone temples...


Krishna's Butterball...


Holding up Krishna's Butterball...this sure is heavy...


The goats rest in the shade of the rocks...


More stone carvings...



The view from on top the rocks...




Can you tell what is represented in the stone here?


Mahishamardini Cave...




Varaha Cave...













This Indian boy followed us around as we looked at the stone carvings. He comes from a family of stone carvers and is in training to become a carver. He has learned English from the tourists that come to Mamallapuram. He is holding a small twig from the tree that the people use to brush their tree. The sap from the tree has other purposes as well...


More sights...





Thirukadalmallai...an active Hindu temple...


Band marching down the street...followed by a car carrying a representation of Ganesha (the Hindu elephant headed god).



The ocean...


There is more to see for today, but I will continue with another posting since this one is getting so long. Stayed tuned for the Shore Temple and the Five Rathas...