MissTtravels

Another big day of travel. We left Pondicherry early, with a new van and driver. We were seven hours on the road, passing through wetlands, rice paddies, sugar cane and coconut palms.

We stopped for tea/food/toilet breaks a couple of times on the way. We reached Madurai about 3.30.

We went to a small museum celebrating the life of Mahatma Gandhi. It was in Madurai that he made some significant steps in his efforts to break down the caste system.

We checked into our hotel, and then set off walking to the Sri Meenakshi Amman temple, one of the largest temples in India. Although under renovation, it was still amazing.

Built between the 12th and 18th centuries, it is where people come to worship Meenakshi. She is a mother goddess, and people pray to her for marriage and babies. Also success in business.

The temple is enormous, covering many acres in the centre of the city. Non-Hindus are not allowed into the inner sanctum, but there was still plenty to see. Towers, a massive pool, the hall of 1000 pillars (actually 984), all built out of granite or heavily painted in the Tamil Naidu way.

No pictures, as no cameras are allowed.

It was this temple that Gandhi was refused entry to, because his Untouchable friends were not allowed to enter. He never entered until his 4th visit, when everyone was allowed.

Will attach a website when I have internet.

Later in the evening we went to another cooperative shop to look at rugs, and other Indian goods. Really beautiful fabrics. Much damage done. A package of fine Indian cotton fabrics is on its way to Toukley….There were some truly spectacular rugs, but I resisted.

A good day, despite the long journey. didn’t have dinner, as lunch was not sitting well.