I’m not even half way with the slides from India; but I have the feeling that this should be the last India-from-slide-post. It starts to feel like work; and that’s not good 🙂 . In this post the rest of The Hoysaleswara temple in Halebid; incredible sculptures. Prt 21 and 22 show quite well what insane details these craftsmen were capable of. Rock looking like cloth; almost surreal. And as the temple is dedicated to Shiva, there is of course a bull waiting in front of the entrance.
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Tag Archives: India
India from Slides prt26: The Hoysaleswara temple in Halebid
After our visit to the Giant, the taxi drove us to Halebid, to see the Hoysaleswara temple. It was build in the 12th century and is dedicated to Shiva. Most famous for its sculptures.
India from Slides prt25: Funny Dragon
India from Slides prt24: The Giant
One day we hired a taxi to drive us around. On our way to our first goal, Shravanabelagola, the taxi suddenly stopped. The driver stepped out of the cab, ran to a very small ‘temple-for-one’; made some ritual gestures; gave himself a red dot on the forehead; and came rushing back to drive on. What was mystical religious for me, was just a daily routine for him. In Shravanabelagola we started to climb a stair that was carved out the mountain-rock. It was endless; but finally we reached the top; and there it was: the Giant. The Gomateshvara Statue. It is a 17.8m. high monolith statue; and part of Jain religion. Every 12th year, there is a big ceremony called Mahamastakabhishek. I have seen postcards from this ceremony. The statue is anointed with saffron; poured over with milk; and I remember a red one as if it was poured over with blood. Unfortunately I’ve only the granite version for you.
India from Slides prt23: The Padmanabhapuram Palace in Trivandrum prt2
Last series of the Padmanabhapuram Palace, in B&W.
India from Slides prt22: The Padmanabhapuram Palace in Trivandrum
Trivandrum is the capital of Kerala. We visited the Padmanabhapuram Palace. I loved it. It was sober and life had left it’s traces. Great roofs to give shelter for the sun and very open facades made of the finest woodcarvings.
India from Slides prt21: In Kerala
One day I went to Kerala with Padma to visit her parents. It took us a nightride in a bus, and a trainride in the morning. The seats in the bus were made of steel and wood. Normally I like sober, straight designs, but during the night; when we drove down a mountain on a hardly paved road, it wasn’t that comfortable for the back and the bottom. Some people even managed to sleep!
In Trichur we visited a traditional Kathakali performance. It ‘is a stylized classical Indian dance-drama noted for the attractive make-up of characters, elaborate costumes, detailed gestures and well-defined body movements presented in tune with the anchor playback music and complementary percussion‘ (thank you WiKi). I didn’t understand much of it; but it was an impressive performance.
India from Slides prt20: Back to Mysore
When we went back to Mysore it was ‘Tool Celebration Day’ , or whatever it’s called. People show their respect for all the tools and machines they use, by cheer them up with beautiful flowers.
India from Slides prt19: Of Shiva and the Bull
“Do you know why that bull is lying there”, somebody asked. I didn’t. “Long ago, Shiva and his Nandi (bull) were on a long, lonely travel. After many days Shiva got so horny that he did the bull an indecent proposal: ‘I’m in a desperate need; if I can have sex with you right now; I will help you out any time in the future when the needs are the other way around’. The bull agreed and offered his services. Many years later, while they were on a journey once more, the bull had his hard time and he reminded Shiva of their appointment. But Shiva ran off as fast as he could. And that’s why Nandi is lying in front the Shiva-temple, waiting, waiting till promises are full-filled.” We had a good laugh.