@ Kanchi

Sat June 23 Morning

Got up as usual, sipped some green tea and sat idle. For sometime I had a strange desire to go to Kanchipuram and I thought of making a try. After getting fresh, packed my bag with very essential clothes, took a light breakfast, took some cash from ATM and started towards bus stand. When I reached bus stand ,I came to know that there is no direct bus, I need to go to Vellore first and then Kanchipuram. Bus started at 10:30 and it took almost another one hour to get out of Bangalore city. Journey was comfortable due to moderate temperature which was triggered by a depression in Bay of Bengal and well designed roads. It went via Hosur ,Krishnagiri and took a turn towards Chennai. By around 3:30 pm bus reached Vellore and immediately got into another bus to Kanchi aka Kanchipuram, one of the oldest cities in India.

Bus went through lush green paddy fields and seemingly pleasant for the eyes. By 4-45 I reached Kanchi .After having a light snack I followed a sign towards Ekambaranatha Temple .At some point I asked someone the way to "temple", he told me go to straight. Surprisingly I reached in front of Kailasanathar Temple which was built by Pallavas in 8^th century AD. It is a small beautiful well maintained structure with amazingly intense sculptures. I spend some time, took some pictures and this time I walked towards Ekambaranatha temple.

Ekambaranatha temple is one of the five forms of abodes of Lord Siva which represents "earth". The main priest told me that "lingam" was worshipped by Goddess Parvathi and it is known as "Parvathi Lingam". Temple complex is huge, spread over 40 acres, but it is not well maintained. I tried walking inside the complex but seemed impossible since it was getting dark. From there I went to Kamakshi Amman Temple, where I had to wait for some time to get a "darshan". I always envied people who lived near to big temples. I felt those structures and atmosphere has filled their lives with something more than the illusions created by humans recently.

By around 8 pm, I felt like I am tired and asked a police man where I can find a hotel. He politely told me a direction. I walked into a modest hotel and asked for room. Before showing the room, the hotel guy warned me against mosquitoes .I told him I am prepared, as I always include mosquito repellant in my bag while traveling. After having dinner I watched some television program on "climbing Mount Everest" on discovery channel. I couldn't really understand their "resolve" and "determination". Sooner I retired to sleep.

June 24

I got up early at 5:30 am, walked down to café for coffee. Surprisingly the café was crowded and people were really enjoying the morning coffee. After getting fresh, I checked out from room and walked a bit .After that I "negotiated " for a auto rickshaw and asked him to take me to Varadharaja Perumal Temple .Temple was huge and it was built by Cholas in 10^th century .I stood some time in peace and waited till 7am to enter the "inner sanctum" of the temple. When I walked into the interior of the temple I found that "inner most sanctum" is in first floor and can be approached only from a particular way. Ancient temple always presents me a mystery and as usual this didn't disappoint me .I walked a bit to explore the temple, took some pictures. By that time I realized that I need to start towards Bangalore early. After having breakfast I started my return journey.

Looking back it was a amazing weekend

Pictures