To repeat myself from the previous blog. What does one do in Tamil Nadu? One visits temples! Not just me. I see young individuals, middle age individuals, and elderly individuals. I see single people, family groups, and large pilgrim groups. I see them early in the morning, midday, and late afternoon. I'm also sure that …
Continue reading 849. Pilgrims Everywhere: More Hindu Temples
During our 1990 seminar’s three-week stay in Tamil Nadu, I am eager to return. So much to see! With the help of Annamalai, my driver, I want to view some historic temples in particular. Driver Tamil Nadu Annamalai A few observations first from a non-Hindu. What are temples? Why do I see thousands converge on …
Queen Victoria Memorial Like Delhi and Madras, Kolkata shows its colonial past. Whether walking or using a taxi, any person will see the buildings of the British “Capital of the Raj.” From 1772 until 1911, the city served as the administrative, commercial, and cultural center of the colonial India. Some even referred to it as …
Mother House Doorway A question: who is Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu? Here is another clue: she is born on August 26, 1910. If you guess Mother Teresa, then you are correct. Although I have visited Mother Teresa's Mother House, and talked with her briefly, I want to return to the "Mother House." A few brief notes …
My 1990 visit to Kolkata occurs during a monsoon. Carl and I had to almost swim to get from one place to another. Not a great time to get around! This visit, no monsoon! As I want to see and learn about Kolkata, I figure what better way than with a tour! Rikwick is my …
Dusk at Bodh Gaya I arise at 6AM. By 8AM and after breakfast at the hotel with a large Japanese pilgrim group, I enter the stupa grounds. Two immediate surprises. One surprise makes my initial more pleasant. Probably because of the early hour, there are not many hawkers selling merchandise. “Good planning!” The other surprise …
Continue reading 843. Bodh Gaya: The International Chanting Festival
So much to see and learn about Varanasi. Since Jai has guided me on one walking tour, he recommends that I should take his colleague Mayank's night walk. “He’ll show and tell you some unforgettable things about Varanasi.” He isn’t wrong. Jai describes Mayank as "our secret Sikh weapon!" When I meet Mayank, he tells …
Continue reading 841. Varanasi at Night: Mayank’s Walking Tour
Jai inspires me to see Varanasi beyond the ghats. Both with and without his presence, I wander around sites off the usual visitors’ path. I hire a tuk-tuk driver to take me to the Ramnagar Fort. Built in 1750 by the ruler of the Varanasi region, fort is south of Varanasi and on the other …
View of Ghats from Above I'm eager to return to Varanasi. On this return, I'm booking two through Varanasiwalks with "Jai," Jeremy. What a story he has! Born in Minnesota, grows up an evangelical Christian, he leaves a Bible college after three years. Working for AmeriCorps, he spends two summers in Atlanta preparing for the …
Continue reading 839. Walking through Varanasi: Guided by Jai
From Dharmsala, I fly to Delhi. Even though the flight departs fifteen minutes late, we arrive on time. Uneventful. Nice job Pilot! From the airport, I arrange a taxi to the Delhi railroad station. I have a pre-purchased ticket for the Delhi to Varanasi train. The taxi ride is uneventful. Again, nice job taxi-cab driver! …
Continue reading 838. The Nightmare at Delhi’s Railroad Station
Journeys: Explorations in Body, Mind, and Spirit 