Photo-story

There are many pictures this time and much to many stories to be able to be told here. Especially when the computer is restarting itself every 5 minutes. So, we just gonna make short descriptions to each photo this time.

In Punducherry we attained a yoga festival. There were lectures, concerts and shows, like this one: boys showing yoga to Indian classical music.



We went to Auroville, a village next to Punducherry, designed by The Mother (disciple of Sri Aurobindo) especially for living in peace, meditating, spiritual practices.

This bayon tree has an incredible charm. Its branches grow down to the earth (or up? we didn't understand) making it a super-tree with about 30 stems.




This is Aurovilles heart. A meditation hall with a crystal ball inside. Next to it there is an amphitheater also for meditation and chanting. The place is very beautiful and peaceful.
















The seaside on the east side of India is different, then we saw in Goa. Nearly nobody takes a swim. We tried, but were overwhelmed by the waves. This two Indian girls are in typical beach dresses (no different from the street dress). Woman don't swim here, usually, and if they do, they go into the water dressed like this.
Having a bikini is not the funniest thing on earth neither, if you are not a secret exhibitionist...starring is still friendly, i would say.










That's Mamallapuram, its beach site and temple.












Our hotel is very close to the beach (2 min), but we anyways swim more often in the swimming pool that is right in front of our bungalow. It's just great to swim after you wake up!









Mamallapuram is a bit similar to Hampi. Many temples and many stones to climb on. Beautiful views from the top of them...










...like this palm-sunset.












But you are never alone in the hills. Goats, dogs, cows and especially many monkeys observe the visitors.










The lighthouse with it's view over the small town.


















On the first day in Mamallapuram we met Swamiji, a blind Indian guy, who needed help with writing his emails. Filippo helped him and as thank you we were invited for a delicious dinner with many nice people, music and discussions. This is a view from Swamijis balcony.







The Five Rathas Temple and Indians, who want to pose with white people for their photoalbums...

















...and now? Who is the stronger one?


















Mamallapuram is famous for its stone carving. Here a meditating (or relaxing?) Buddha (huge!).











Filippo and his private monkey sir, having a deep discussion.


















In front of this carved stonewalls the dance festival of Mamallapuram takes place these days. Nice spectacles on incredible background.










Lost in the labyrinths of temples...












And yes, we bought a hammock! Even a double bed hammock and had it outside of the door of our bungalow. Now we are taking it to the Andaman Islands, where we fly to on the 17th in the morning. We heard it's paradise...better then Mamallapuram?...hard to imagine!

Narayana Gurukula

We found the Narayana Gurukula Ashram not without problems, as it is situated in (or rather next to) a little village. Swami Vinaya waved us and set the water for a tea. Asked, if we could stay for a while, he answered: you can stay your whole life. And he meant it. I have had some ideas about Ashrams, mostely from books or stories. Waking up at 4, chanting, meditating, praying, cleaning, studying, meditating, chanting... but everything came different. Filippo asked what the Guru was doing and got the answer: "I'm trying to do nothing, it is the hardest thing to do". So we started our week at the Gurukula. The surrounding was beautiful. Trees, flowers, water, shadows, benches, sculpures...every minute the senses were fed with colours and smells (fruit trees).

We got a little room in a cottage and were left on our own.

Involved in daily activities we learned a lot - practical informations about cooking vegetarian delicious food, holding (about 10) animals or warming water if you want to have a hot shower...as city children we had to adapt to the environment ;)

Here Filippo is preparing a hot shower for us.

We can not show you all the lovely cats (including 3 absolutely sweet kittens) and dogs (although, barking all night they weren't so sweet anymore), so here is just a sample of our favourite photos.

Cat nr 1 (called Tom form us - we couldn't remember all the names!) was constantly occupying the lap of Filippo.

Vidyas sweet dog posed very patiently for my photos.

And here we can see the daily activities of cat number 7 ;)

It was so nice to have all these animals around!

The Ashrams buildings were all very beutiful and peacefull as well. In this place we did some yoga in the morning.

And this was our favourite place to read.

We spent new years eve at the bonefire, having an incredible sky over our heads and will probably never forget it.

There was a lot of guitar playing and many discussions. It could have been a perfect relaxing retreat in the nature. But it was more.

What the Guru told and thought us is not for a blog, though. Just to say: Beautiful person and an incredible expierience. Also Margaret, his wife, (called by me Mother Nature) thought us a lot. We are very happy that we have visited the Gurukula Ashram.

Now we are in Puducherry at the Yoga Festival. It's hot and interesting. And finally again: the sea :)