The Temples of Khajuraho (16/95)

Khajuraho is the site of some of the most historic temples in India. Built by the Chandelas (hey, you can Wiki and Google easier than I can) more than 1000 years ago according to our local guide (except for the one which was built around 100 years agoand looks like it) they have lasted through religious upheaval, ruler and government changes, active use and the swarms of tourists that invade every year.  Obviously not all of the original 80+ temples have survived. He seemed to love the sound of his own voice, his message of love and tolerance of religion (as long as it is Hindu), women (as long as they stay in their place) and all peoples (since their caste determines what they should be and how they should act). Obviously, I am getting sick of a message that defies belief. I do get the concept of the men always walking ahead of their wives – should there be any landmines, he is the one to get blown up…..

Again – be warned the following is my personal opinion which is informed on my beliefs and reflects little on others – especially our guides

I wasn’t the only one drifting off on a regular basis to take photos.  Erotic carvings? I don’t think so. There is the one Temple devoted to Laksman  which has carvings around the outside depicting various poses that were transferred to the Kama Sutra once the printing press made its appearance. But other than proving that acrobatics are us, I don’t get the thought that these prove the important role of love in Hindu thought. What I see are multiple strange poses, many of which are almost if not absolutely anatomically impossible. Women being held open by two men for the pleasure of a third etc. In fact, if someone didn’t tell you these were “erotic” you would more than likely, with today’s western sensibilities view at least half of them as depictions of rape….  If yout u want photos – I can email but not posting them here.

I obviously liked the general photos of the temples

 

as well as the Elephants stomping people

 

squish

squish

 

much better.

The actual grounds were beautiful

Our flight to Varanasi went smoothly (front and back stairs – we were in the middle of the plane) and smoothly transferred to the hotel before heading for an evening on the Ganges.

From the bus we boarded a small wooden boat with a motor so old that it has to be started with a crank.  After going along for about a mile looking at the various Ghat (sections of steps going down to the river – one after another for 3.2 miles)

we made a short pause at the crematorium. There were more than 15 funeral pyres burning. Each using about 700# of wood each.

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multiple pyres at the crematorium

multiple pyres at the crematorium

across the river, extensive family doing their own funeral

across the river, extensive family doing their own funeral

Think about it – in such a poor country with extreme pollution – this much open wood burning (about 200 funerals a day. 170 by wood and ~30 with more the more modern electric method) just in this location. The cost of the wood alone is about $350, which in many cases is more than 10% of an annual salary.

Further on – there was a Thanksgiving ceremony being held at a major temple with hundreds of participants on the Ghat (think solid packed throngs) plus the dozens of boats crammed in on the river.

It was interesting, but with the amount of incense and the smell of burning flesh, I was glad to get back to the hotel and hopefully will stave off my impending migraine.

Photos to follow….

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About Holly

fiber person - knitter, spinner, weaver who spent 33 years being a military officer to fund the above. And home. And family. Sewing and quilting projects are also in the stash. After living again in Heidelberg after retiring (finally) from the U.S. Army May 2011, we moved to the US ~ Dec 2015. Something about being over 65 and access to health care. It also might have had to do with finding a buyer for our house. Allegedly this will provide me a home base in the same country as our four adult children, all of whom I adore, so that I can drive them totally insane. Considerations of time to knit down the stash…(right, and if you believe that…) and spin and .... There is now actually enough time to do a bit of consulting, editing. Even more amazing - we have only one household again. As long as everyone understands that I still, 40 years into our marriage, don't do kitchens or bathrooms. For that matter, not being a golden retriever, I don't do slippers or newspapers either. I don’t miss either the military or full-time clinical practice. Limiting my public health/travel med/consulting and lecturing to “when I feel like it” has let me happily spend my pension cruising, stash enhancing (oops), arguing with the DH about where we are going to travel next and book buying. Life is good!
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One Response to The Temples of Khajuraho (16/95)

  1. Sue says:

    Love the commentary.

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