HAPPY HOLI!! AND THE NEW ME

Well, as I mentioned in the previous post, I was invited to a Holi (pronounced Holy) party at 5 in the evening on Saturday. It went something like this. I received a SMS message from Vivek at the center where I did my panchakarma saying "Jane, you are cordially invited to celebrate Holi with us at the center at 5 . Hope you can come". I replied: "I'd love to...should I wear old clothes or not to worry?". HE replied: " To worry...you never know!"

So, now to an explanation of Holi. I know from stories of other people that Holi is a Festival where people throw colors at each other and they are very difficult to wash out of your clothes afterwards. I've seen pictures and the truth is, although it looks like fun, I was not particularly thrilled at the idea of "playing Holi". But I figured at a party held at the center with serious adults, how

bad could it be??

However, before going down, I changed my clothes and wore something which I would not be terribly upset about finding stained afterwards if that were the case. And then on top I put my nice Kameeze shirt which Shakti had given me as a present and off I went. Not before finding Ainat who was interested in coming along, so I had both support, company on the way home in the dark, and, as it turned out, a private photographer to boot. In the end, it was a good idea as you will see further on...

We set off and arrived at the center to find other people as well who had either previously done treatments there or were currently doing them...all women. Several young Israeli girls, two young American girls, an older French woman, Ainat and myself...and of course Vivek, Deepak and Babita.

Everyone was a little uncomfortable to begin with, standing around, not knowing exactly what to do, and just about 5:30, the French woman, the last to arrive, came in apologizing for being late and Vivek said "You are not late...you are right on time..this is India" (so, another reason why Israelis are so comfortable in India, we live on the same clock as the Indians!)

They asked us all to take seats around the yoga hall, and we would begin by chanting OM together, then we would do some pranayama, then some meditation, then some more OMs...so far, doesn't sound like much of a party and certainly nothing to worry about.

All went well, and then Vivek said he would explain the mythology behind the Festival. In short, it involves a wicked King who decided he was god and everyone had to bow down to him. His young son, refused saying he would pray only to the real god (is this beginning to sound familiar with a slight change of characters?) The King of course decided he had to kill his son as an example to the people...and joined forces with his sister Holika, who had a special cape which would protect her from fire and they conspired to have the child sit on her lap and set her afire while wrapped in her cape and burn the child to death. As things would have it, a very strong wind came up, the cape was blown off her and around the child, and of course she was killed and he was saved. Try as he might, the king could not kill the child etc., etc., etc., and in the end was killed himself in a very clever way....enough for now.

So, the original celebration of this great event was to light bonfires (covering Lag B'Omer as well) in memory of the fire which killed Holika, but over the ages the idea has developed into throwing colors all over each other and then getting drunk!

You might remember the pictures in a previous post from the Market with a picture of piles of colors being sold. These are the colors used to throw on people, the first day, when we were invited, just dry colors...the second day, and the more "dangerous" one, mixed with water which makes them impossible to wash out afterwards.

Well, we honestly did not think that these two serious men would be into any of this stuff, but after this story, Vivek promptly announced that this was the one day of the year where serious people like himself could do anything they feel like, behave like children, and in general, let loose...we began to worry a little, but not really because next it was announced that we were going to sing Spiritual songs...OK..sounds good, and the first person they picked to sing a spiritual song was ME...which of course I refused to do...I never sing ANYTHING in public, and certainly no spiritual songs came to mind at the moment anyway (afterwards, when I thought about it, I could have gotten all the Israeli girls together and we could have sang some Purim songs, but that was after I had returned home in a festival, silly mood...). So Deepak began singing Hare Rama, Hare Krishna, and we all joined in "with the clapping of the hands" as directed. Again, there was some discomfort in the whole thing up to this point, but we were all good sports, not wanting to ruin their party.

Following the chanting, we were all invited to chant some OMs, which we did happily, and then some Nadi breathing (using alternate nostrils) and this was really begin to make us feel that this would be a very "spiritual" kind of party, but also quite boring! After getting us into a place where we were good at taking directions and following Deepak's instructions, it was then announced that the dancing would begin. Well, they put on some Indian music and both got up and began dancing, and before I know what had hit me, had me up and at it, pretty much in the middle, in the place of honour. I was not very comfortable, but the other girls made feeble efforts at dancing as well and clapping hands in rhythm, and then I just decided I was going to take Vivek's advice, enjoy the holiday spirit and act like a child. Then I realized I was the shyest child imaginable and never would have gotten up to dance "in public", so came to the conclusion that I had to be the NEW ME!! And let loose. First I just followed Vivek's lead...turns out he is a good dancer...and then just started doing my own thing (which Ainat told me afterwards was great and she was surprised at how uninhibited I was...she didn't think I was so open...so this really is the birth of a NEW ME it sems!).













The dancing became more and more frenetic and we really worked up a sweat, and then all of a sudden, the music stopped, and vivek announced "Now we begin to play Holi!" We all went outside immediately trying to decide what they meant, but we didn't have to wait long...they rolled up all the floor coverings, yoga mats, etc., brought in a small table with colors,
(this is the table towards the end of the color throwing!)

came in with old clothes on themselves and called us all back in. We looked at each other, and everyone began to strip down as much as possible so as to save the good clothing...I luckily had on a black shirt. And in we went. It all began very simply, with good humor and light color throwing,

but like a good snowball fight, picked up in speed and intensity very quickly, and the longer it went on, the more fun we had as you can see from the rest of these pictures! It is great to get smeared with colors when you know you can smear back!!

















So, this whole post is filled with pictures...it was a great, liberating evening, and I came home just glowing...I really had the most fun I've had in a very very long time! And so thankful to these two lovely people for inviting me.

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India Journal 2006 #17-March 3rd

Today is actually Monday the 5th and there is an awful lot to catch up on, and so many different topics that I will do my best to keep some order in this post as well as the special one I will write about Holi, the Festival here which was exactly the same time as Purim, and in many ways, including the original story about the beginnings of the Festival and the opportunity for people to do things that they normally wouldn't. But that is for a separate post.

So, let's get back actually to Friday night, when I went to Mamaji's for thali and was sitting talking to some people. I mentioned that I was thinking of taking a walk the next day across the Laxman Jula bridge and head upstream but also up the mountain on a path I had heard of. One of the women strongly adviced me against doing it alone as very recently a woman was raped up there....this is happening everywhere all over the world and it is really very sad.

Well, John was there (you remember I'm sure, I mentioned him already, the retired biology professor from Canada living his dream by travelling the world after retiring) and he suggested


that we meet after breakfast on the morrow and take the walk together. Sounded great to me but made sure to ask him what type of walking he liked doing, what pace, how far, etc., and he said don't worry...I love walking but I am a 63 year old retired biology professor!!

That seemed to very comfortably put him in league and we planned to meet up in the morning.

When I got back to my room, I found an SMS invitation from Vivek to a Holi party the following evening at 5, which I happily accepted, and realized it would be one really full but fun day.

We headed out in the morning and took a nice stroll down and through Laxman Jula, with John browsing the shops on the way. We came to a CD shop and he wanted to add some things to his growing collection, and I made some suggestions which the salesman promptly seconded...and then John asked a question I would never think to ask...and I found out that they will burn any CD you want onto a disc and then instead of paying 300-400 for the original, each CD would only be 70 rupees!! so I will now make my own picks over the next couple of days as well.

Then we headed over the bridge, took some quick shots with these guys who get all dressed up and allow tourists to pose with them for a price (he's the guy at the top of this post)...headed upstream, found the path up the mountain, but decided to continue along the water for awhile longer. But it turned out to be just a plain rode, with nothing special to see, except of course the Ganga views, people doing the rapids and building along the banks.





We went back and headed up the mountain path and it was simply heaven.

John, who comes from Vancouver, commented that this could be a mountain path anywhere...for him perhaps, but certainly not for me, but we had a wonderful walk heading up all the way, until we got tired and agreed to head back down. It was a perfect few hours.

Along the way, we passed two very unusual trees, as you can see from these pictures,





and I have been contemplating their messages since seeing them. The first I think is a pretty clear message to ME which I will attempt to put into words in a further post. The second also seems to have a deeper message and again I will do my best to comment in a future post about both trees and the lessons they have brought.But would love to hear your comments as well...look at them and let me know what you think. Since this was originally written, I have received a very clear "message" regarding the second tree which has embraced the rock, and you can read the message on my Mindfulness Journal
here

While walking up the rocky, rapidly climbing path, surrounded on all sides by forest, birdcalls and quiet, a perfectly blue sky above, I realized that I should have worn my hiking boots, and commented to John that my knees will most certainly complain tomorrow, especially after the decent.

(The next day came, and, to my great surprise, there was not a pain or complaint from any part of my body...another benefit of the treatments...I'm surprised over and over again as these little things come to my attention, and sooooooooo pleased)

We came down off the mountain back to the reality of Rishikesh, the day that the Holi Festival was to begin in the evening, and the town was jumping. Full of Indians on vacation, so colorful, bands playing, temple bells ringing...we were surrounded by India and loving every moment.

We decided to head over to the orphanage for lunch,





and just about made it up there before both of us were ready for a good cold drink and food. (You can see John in the pictures). We had a wonderful lunch, and while there, met a Dutch woman...most certainly not by chance.

She had been to India the year before...and told her a very long, slow story, as her English was not very good, but the message for me was again clear. She is also in her sixties, and when she got back to Holland, people began asking her to take thme a similar trips to India, and of course she hesitated, and kept saying no, but in the end she did it and was now in Rishikesh with her second group. And the money she earns pays for HER trips to India. She does very specific itineraries, for short periods of time, does not accompany the people she takes everywhere, but rather gives them choices and lets them go off on their own, explaining all this to them before leaving home.

She takes them to easy to do places and they are all very pleased. Most are also older people but completely able to take care of themselves and not in need of a babysitter.

Now, for the past year or so, people have been asking me to do this and I keep saying no. But after speaking to her, I realize that a very specialized trip, with a small amount of actual travelling and more enjoying India in a slow relaxed way and becoming familiar with the people, sounds, colors, smells etc., without pressure, is an ideal way for many people to learn to love India. I now have some ideas about ways I might be able to do this, using my local contacts to make things easier...I will think about it when I get home...but no meeting is by chance and this was certainly meant to give me food for thought about my own future....

Well, I got back to my room at 3:30, rested until 4:30, and then headed off with Ainat to the Holi party...which I will write about when I write about Holi and the whole following day, where we were mostly prisoners in hiding until the shenanigans were over around 3 in the afternoon.

I will end this post here, and continue with Sunday, Holi, and some further very interesting insights into my own wonderfully blessed life.

I have also changed rooms, in the same guesthouse but upstairs in a lovely bright sunny room...just as the weather has also changed and overnight become much warmer. So I am warm, quite warm...about 24 degrees during the day and not so cold anymore at night, and I have a lovely bright, sunny room with a view of the Ganga as well as the mountains all around. And just a little closer to the monkeys!!






Namaste
Jane

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India Journal 2006 #16 March 1-2 - Doctor, Walk and Baba on the Bridge

March 1st

Well, it is still raining but not as hard as yesterday and not quite as cold so decided to get out anyway. (Yesterday I spent the whole day near my room, with everyone else...we had some fun, lots of laughter etc...rainy days can also be fun). I was still interested in seeing another Ayurveda doctor here so decided it would be a good day to do this. I hadn't written about this before, but I've had some kind of gut feeling that, despite all the wonderful changes I have felt since my treatments, that something was still not complete...don't know WHY I felt this way, just did, and decided to check further.

There is a local clinic just 5 minutes from where I am staying which I had originally tried contacting be e-mail while I was still deciding where to do the threatments. They never replied and this gave me a bad feeling so I forgot about it. (Turns out the contact information I was given was out of date...
but I believe that there is a reason for everything and that I was directly to Vivek's place for a definite purpose...) So, I went over and asked for an appointment, and he was able to check me then and there as I purposely went before breakfast...He is a well known doctor here with many credentials and highly regarded by the local people as well. He apologized for my not being able to contact him and was very gracious and spoke English very well and gave me a comprehensive consultation.

I mentioned to him immediately that I had already done Panchakarma and finished just a few days ago. He proceeded to check me...gave me his diagnosis, and then I asked him if he thought I needed to do further Panchakarma (after what he told me...bare with me). His reply was "Not to worry...what you did is good...enjoy your life and good health...not to worry...next year you come back and then do again here with me...not to worry...no need to worry now..." etc. So first he put my mind at ease and basically told me that what I did was good, simply not enough for my age.

What he told me was, aside from telling me about my body type etc., which I already know, and giving me further diet advice (I have a further session with him on Monday for a more in depth discussion of diet)...was that 2 weeks of Panchakarma is fine for a healthy person, under 45, who simply wants to detox. Over 45 you need a minimum of 3 weeks and over 6, 6 weeks!!! to get the full benefit. He said the treatment I did detoxed me about 75% but "not to worry...you will be OK for long time"...Didn't want me to be upset and said it will still be OK for a long time as long as I eat properly. Just to enjoy the benefits and my freedom from pain and stiffness...

He also charges much less...charges foreigners the same price as local people so it is about 1/2 the price per session, or even less.

Truth is, I could not have done a 3rd week here even if I had originally decided to...next year, I will prepare myself in advance for a longer period of time...and if I really need it sooner, will come back in the fall instead of a year from now.

I am in no way disturbed that I went where I went this trip, and look forward to seeing him next year.

He says I am basically healthy and not to be too concerned about eating. Just do the best I can and enjoy life. Similar to what the other doc told me. Says the beauty of Ayurveda is that it is made to work for normal people who enjoy life and food etc., Just make sure I drink enough water each day and keep away from cold stuff which I usually do anyway. If you make a big deal out of eating habits, you loose the zest for life and this is very unhealthy.

I also asked about the matter of dairy products being bad for arthritis as I came to believe from my knowlege and study of Western naturopathy etc. and yet in ayurveda I am always told that cheese is fine...he said as a matter of fact, that the only dairy product NOT good for me is yogurt...the exact opposite of what I've been following the last 15 years. And then he said something interesting: "You've been eating like that for 15 years...how much has it helped your arthritis? Now try ayurveda eating for 15 years and see what happens!!".. I thought that was a good point and so decided to get out of my old eating habits and try something completely new (which is why I am having the further session with him for more specific advice).

I look forward to my further session with him on Monday...I will also be doing several more massages, just on my back, which he says will remove further toxins from the arthritic hip and will give just a little bit more balance to my system. He originally didn't want to do this, explaining that I should just relax into what I already did, but agreed with me that these back, particularly lower back, massages would help. He explained that these type of toxins are stored, and released through the lower back area and the massage could do alot for me...so Monday I will have a few more massages for a few days as well. At 200 rupee (20 shekel) apiece!!

Following this meeting, I went upstairs to the restaurant we ate in that night and waited 1 1/2 hours for our food...but figured at that time of the day it would be fairly empty..which it was.

And since the doc said that cheese and tomatoes were both good for me, I ordered a tomato cheese omelette for breakfast and thoroughly enjoyed it.

So, looking forward to new ideas and approaches to living...will make things interesting to say the least.

March 2nd
Today dawned beautiful and sunny and decided to get out. I had eaten dinner thali at a nearby guesthouse run by Mamaji for the past two evenings, and met this interesting Canadian man that I think I mentioned is travelling the world after retiring with the not so easily offered consent of his family. So I met him this morning just before breakfast and we spent some time together over breakfast which was fun.
Then I went out. Just exploring...and the weather was so perfect, that I was out for several hours, walked at least 5 km. mostly flat but some up and down...bascially easy walking to one bridge, down and over to the other bank than 2 1/2 km. to the next bridge but I continued down the Ganges as far as I could go, don't know how far it was, finally ate lunch at a nice restaurant and then all the way back up to High Bank. I didn't realize how much sun I had gotten as it was not hot, just breezy and beautiful, but I am feeling it a little now with a heavy head. Also didn't drink enough I guess but who cares. I had a GREAT day! No camera again, but always so many things to photograph.

A funny think happened to me on the Laxman Jula bridge...a baba approached me (like a Holy man) with his puja (ceremonial) tray and without asking, put vermillion on my forhead, asked me to take marigolds as an offering, tied a string to my left hand, had me repeat some mantra after him and throw the marigold offering into the Holy Ganges...and then gave me my personal blessing in the form of a dried out rose (still smelling lovely) and little white things which looked like popcorn (but of course aren't)...this all happened in a zip and then of course he asked for money, which annoyed me so gave him 20 rupees, which annoyed him, so I felt better!

But it reminded me of the Chabad guys who hang around in airports, bus stations and city centers, stopping men to put on Tefillin and say the blessings...It was just a pleasant experience...another fun thing in India.

And now I am here, and then off to dinner...it's Friday night. Tomorrow begins the holiday of Holi here which I mentioned involves throwing colored chalked mixed with water on people...but the main shenanigans are not until Sunday...will let you know how it goes.

Namaste to all
Jane

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India Journal 2006 #15 February 27-Insights and Thoughts

DETOXIFICATION ON EVERY LEVEL AND THE OPENING OF CHANNELS TO RECEIVE EVEN MORE FROM
GOD AND THE UNIVERSE

You may find this post interesting, or perhaps not and that is why I have noted in the title that it is mosting insights and thoughts about personal issues, so feel free to skip it on wait for something more interesting. In general, this trip is different from my other trips, (each trip has its own character anyway, but due to the nature of this trip, there really is not much "travelogue" stuff in it in general).

Well, after getting back to my room last night after 11, full of adrenalin and just plain good fun from the wonderful company and general nonsense talk of the whole evening, I found myself awake the entire night, not falling into a peaceful sleep until 6 AM. I awoke at 8:30 as usual, so the day was strange anyway, and spent most of it in my room...eating in the room, and finally, as a finale


having an amazing session with a young girl here...but that will be coming later.

Once I realized I would not be falling asleep, I figured I would make the most of my time and started out doing a couple of interesting, deep cleansing meditations. I figured they were in place following the physical (what I assumed was completely physical) detox I got with the panchakarma. That took up some time, and then still feeling completely awake, decided to do a full Reiki session, thinking it would relax me into sleep as it usually does. No such luck. While doing the Reiki as I usually do, almost every day, I had a profound breathing experience where I had the sensation of every pore in my body breathing...I could literally feel the breath, the air, going in and out of all the pores in my body, from legs up to my head. I felt completely energized in a very direct way, and felt as if I had slept for several hours by the time all this was over. To top it all off, I received a "message" which I was asked to pass on word for word to a young girl who I had spoken to briefly here. She was one of the girls at our laughing dinner in the evening, but I knew pretty much nothing about her personally, except her name and that she had a great smile and loved to laugh. The message was delivered basically the same way my own messages are given to me, but this is the first time I have ever been sent a message for another person! It spooked me a little bit and wasn't even sure I had understood correctly, but in the end, I decided to meditate again during the day on the matter, and I asked that if this message was INDEED for this girl, that she should come to my room to see me. (We had spoke very quickly about her coming around "one day" for a Tarot reading...never setting a date or anything). The second I finished my meditation, there was a knock on my door...guess who it was!?!? I will write more about this later...in the proper order of events.

And then I began to relax into myself and "things" began to come together...so the rest may not seem completely orderly, but I am putting down here things I understood that night and other things that followed in consequence the next day through to yesterday evening....

I have once again been placed in the role of Mataji, Mother, as I always seem to be in the end. The nurturing person who takes care of all the "children"...many of them almost my age, but never mind. I become the Mother figure very quickly. But in the past it has mostly been for girls and women. This time I have some guys in the picture as well. Perhaps this will finally give me some insights into the heart of my own son who I seem to be completely out of touch with.

In addition, many of the people I have met here are reflecting back to me issues I am still working on and lessons which I am still dealing with. "Proper listening", fear of getting to new places alone(even when walking, not only when driving), and opening the heart to loving relationships with the opposite sex. These 3 types have all come into my life as multiple examples over the past few weeks since I arrived here. I see through them, clearing, where I was, and how far I have indeed come in these 3 issues, but also where I still have to work.

When I finally awoke to a dreary, windy morning, I decided to order breakfast in my room, listen to music and just take a "day off" from vacationing! Music, reading, cards, maybe even dance a little in my room...and here is the next fascinating thing which occurred.

I was listening to Rikudei Am (Israeli folkdancing which I 've been dancing regularly for about 30 years)...I haven't felt like dancing since several months before my Father passed last October. Which means 7-8 months I haven't danced...the longest I've gone without dancing in all those years.

While listening to the music, all of a sudden I got the urge to get up and dance! I have a picture of my father always in my room, and I felt him looking at me with his lovely smile and saying "Go dance already, will ya!"...Turned to look at his picture and he is glowing with joy for me. So I finished my breakfast and began dancing right away. All the years I've danced, my father had never seen me actually dancing. Today he watched me for the full hour and we both had a great time!!!

Considering I hadn't danced in so long, and hadn't slept most of the night, I'm proud of myself and worked up a good sweat in the bargain. It's windy and cold so that was great. But I also realized something else re the Panchakarma treatments (and perhaps the cleansing meditation during the night, the reiki and breathing experience all added to this effect). My appetite had returned already a couple of days ago, but things were sitll not back to normal completely. This morning was the first time since my digestive system was shut down for cleansing by the treatments, that "what went in, finally began to come out". It was a way of saying: "You're completely cleansed of all toxins...including emotional ones, and ready to begin as fresh as new...and I immediately afterwards felt like dancing!

The whole nite of not sleeping, complex thoughts and issues continued to surface hour after hour...more detoxification of negativity in all forms...

Following all this...I did my nails and by then it was lunchtime, which I also had in my room.

The day passed and then, as mentioned above, I began contemplating the "message" which I had received during the night for this young girl. And, as mentioned, just as I requested validation etc., she knocked on my door.

I was amazed, and she was as well when I told her what had happened...about the message I received for her and my just finishing a meditation regarding the message and asking for her to come to me if I was truly meant to pass it on to her.

We spoke for awhile...I won't go into personal details, but it turns out that EXACTLY what I was told to pass on to her, were the answers to questions she has been asking for the past number of days about a certain aspect of her personal life. In addition, we did a tarot reading which gave much clarity to the issue, I gave her "homework" and she will come back in 3 days and we will continue. I was quite shaken by the whole thing and had a long "session" afterwards in a meditative state as well. It was all quite profound and uplifting...and I slept sooooooooo peacefully last night.

I woke to a really cold and rainy, today was just a "hanging around" day...but I am feeling very well and very pleased with all the last couple have days have brought me and taught me.

I am truly loved and blessed.
Namaste
Jane

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India Journal 2006 #14 February 26-CAMERA DAY!

Monday, Feb. 26th CAMERA DAY

I got a really good suggestion from a nice lady in the guesthouse, Shakti, who is a professional photographer...I had mentioned that I hate going around with the camera as I miss out on the moment when I am constantly thinking about what to photograph. she says she simply puts herself in "photo mode" for the day and then ALL she does is be a photographer...the rest of the days she forgets it.

So I decided to try that today and it was really a good idea. And turned out to supply me with some lovely shots as you can see in the next few posts....

All in all it was a lovely day...walked across the bridge, saw a palm reader who works out of a little alcove on the street floor of the Temple (when i feel like it I might even let you know what he said...it was interesting and quite fun. Even just meeting him was great...a very sweet old man...very pleasant and much love and joy in his eyes)

I had thought to have a nice vegetable salad at the orphanage
but remembered it was closed on Mondays, so tried a new place near my guesthouse which looked inviting. you take off your shoes when you come in and sit on a ledge where there are tables...quite interesting. In the end I ordered a plate of steamed veggies and it was an enormous portion but quite well prepared...very fresh and served with olive oil. It took ages for it to arrive but she explained that they have nothing cooked in advance and cook according to order. She also mentioned that if you come in the evening when it is busy, you might have to "wait awhile" to get served!

This should have warned me....a few "girls" had decided to meet for dinner and we went there as it was nearby....well, we waiting, and I am not exaggerating, 1 1/2 hours for our food...and we were REALLY starving by then. And had gotten to the point where we were punch drunk and giddy and laughing hysterically about all kinds of silly things. Then, by the time we got back to the guesthouse, decided we were still hungry and so had desserts...and more laughter. Just a lovely fun evening....but I didn't get to sleep until after 11 and for me that is a problem as you will see from the post #15 coming next.

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Outside My Room in Rishikesh

Just thought you'd like to see the OUTSIDE of my room here as well.... Notice the swing....

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Landscapes from Laxman Jula

Just some views from the bridge and the bridge area...With this to look out everytime you go out shopping, to the doctor, to and from work or school...it is no wonder that people here are so relaxed and gentle and the energies so vibrant.


There are plenty of these on the bridges snatching bags from surprised passersby


The Temple Across the Bridge


Views Upstream and Downstream...Ram Jula, the other bridge, is 2 km. downstream






Crossing the Bridge

The Other Temple Across the Bridge



The Other Temple Across the Bridge

More Views Upstream and Downstream









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Laxman Jula Pictures

These first three were taken in the courtyard of a neighboring guesthouse...






Local Wildlife....A Lemur




Rhesus Monkey


And a Bull....


View from The Top of Laxman Jula on the Way down to the bridge


Local Temple


Laxman Jula Temple


Laxman Jula Temple


Statue in the Square


These guys squeeze the juice out of sugar cane...the Indians love it!


Local Alcoves with gods...for praying


Another local statue


Alcove...Hanuman



Another Local Temple...they are everywhere!!!

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