India From Top to Bottom 2005: From Kannyikumari to Kashmir
South India - Page 16
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Another view of this remarkable Hindu-Jesus shrine. But not to worry, towards the end of this trip is another Hindu-Jesus shrine, this one in Bombay. |
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One of the most pleasant aspects of riding trains in India is the
opportunity to meet some of the sweetest people.
We met these wonderful people on a train ride between Coimbatore and the Hindu pilgrimage center of Palani. |
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A music school in Palani, where students learn to play the nagaswaram (a double-reeded woodwind instrument counterpart to the North Indian shehnai) to a droning shruti box while other students count out the 16-bar rhythm by clapping. A shruti box is an electronic drone device that takes the place of a tamboura. |
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One of the holy pilgrims along the circumambulation path in Palani.
The path, 2 km in length, circles around the large granite hill of Palani. Palani is one of my favorite places in India. I love the large dome-shaped hill with the Malaikovil Temple perched on top and the views below, the whirlwind of activity that always accompanies a pilgrimage center, the festivities, the color, the curio shops, the temple elephants, and of course, the pilgrims themselves. We were the only non-Indian tourists in Palani. When we ate in restaurants, we always attracted crowds and curious looks - and very good service!! |
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Another pilgrim along the circumambulation path
in Palani.
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