Going way up North

Let's see...the last time I wrote, we were headed to Kanyakumari on the southern tip of India to visit the Devi temples. We went to the Suchindrum temple which is devoted to Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. This is an important site for devout Hindis. Brahama is the consciousness or creative force, Vishnu is the preserver and Shiva is the destroyer. Shiva and Vishnu and the other gods are not seen as separate from Brahma; they are different energetic manifestations or forms of the same energy of consciousness/creation which is Brahma. In addition, the female goddesses, the Devi, are again different manifestations of the same force: Shakti. Shakti means energy or feminine power/energy. The Suchindrum temple was constructed in the 17th century and took 6 years to build. Both the inside and the outside are immaculately ornate. The temple is made entirely of stone and Hindu gods are carved directly from the stone pillars. There were also columns of alloy that you could play; each column had a different pitch. We made offers of rose water to Hanuman, which represents the most devotional force of Brahman. Hanuman takes the form of a monkey. Each time one enters the temple, they are blessed with a dot of sandalwood on the forehead to represent one's prayers and three lines of chalk or powder to represent ash. The ash represents fire which symbolizes the ability to transform energy. Today the temple is used less frequently and for special celebrations but I tried to imagine what is was like to walk and worship in this temple long ago. It was so esoteric and almost golthic like.

After we worshiped, we sat at the convergence of the Indian Ocean, the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea to watch the sunset.

The next day, we took the train to Varkala, a small tourist town on the west coast of Kerela. Varkala was interesting because it was a resort the appealed to the western traveler and the atmosphere was so different from the rest of India that I didn't feel like I was even in India! It was sort of a relief from the hectic-ness that is India and we were able to swim in the Arabian Ocean. The sun is so intense here; my poor moonbeam skin didn't stand a chance and I left Varkala with a sun burn. But it was so fun playing in the ocean! The surf was quite strong and pulled to both the right and left sides of the beach.

From Varkala, I took the train to Cochin and I LOVE Cochin! Cochin was colonized first by the Portuguese, then the Dutch and finally the British. There are numerous open fruit, vegetable and spice markets. Cochin is known for its spices, oils and Aruyvedic herbs. I went to the market that specializes in growing and harvesting herbs for making Aruyvedic medicine. Also, there once was a large Jewish population in Cochin and there is still a flourishing Jewish market.

Tonight, I am boarding the Patna Express, bound for Varinasi. I have a 60 hour, yes, that is correct, train ride to Varinasi. I plan to work at the Basic Human Needs school in Varanasi and I will see the Ganga as well as Boda Gaya. Boda Gaya is the primary Buddhist city in India.

Yes! So that is the catch up. I have a couple of other things to describe: the Poojas (spiritual offerings) I participated in at the Ashram as well as describing more of the Indian culture. It is sometimes hard to get to the internet.

I hope all is well. We chanted Om Namo Narayanaya at the Ashram and it is the mantra for world peace.

Om Namo Narayanaya.