Into a well....routine of sorts!!

Having been here now just over 4 weeks really feel like i am becomming a regular around place, have a few routines, yoga,meditation every evening, studying neuro linguistic programme (harnessing that mass of subjectivity that is our right brain!) and working my way through Dalai Lama's Art of Happiness. Started on later after meeting someone who couldn't recommend book enough, oozed happiness herself and had just met Dalai Lama so for 300 ruppees thought i have nothing to lose!!

All of above making for v spiritual experience here, has been really special being able to take time out for myself, realise how much of a hamster wheel i am on living life in London, having people around to speak to/share these experiences with also v empowering and educating.

Yesterday was Festival of Saraswati, Hindu godness of depending on who you speak to - wisdom, learning ,music, language, culture. Hindu festivals here typically mean a day off work (for most people, no need for annual leave in this country a festival of some sort happens almost every month!), and are celebrated with a Puja, a statue of the godess painted, clothed and adorned with jewels. Hindus make offerings to the godess and pray to be blessed with 'wisdom, learning etc'. Saraswati as one person described to me is really a festival for the children, the girls put on their 'special occassion' saris and boys wear finest kameez, sing and dance for most of day. So much fun and entertaining to watch i nestled down at a chai stall and spent afternoon watching dancing and singing near Kali temple.

Visited Kali temple also, very holy temple for Hindu people as it is believed the toe of Godness Sati fell here when Shiva flew into a rage, temple is dedicated to Godess Kali (divine energy) and is over 300 years old. An animal usually goat is sacrificed at the temple every morning (blood still v apparent when i visited), ganges water is pumped into a pool for people to bathe (purify themselves in) and various offerings made to Godess. Temple also feeds over 2000 beggars/street people a day, and not at all an architectually grand temple like those we saw in Agra, Delhi or Trichy, but as Kali Godess of death and destruction, seemed suitability understated. Not quite sure why Heidi Klum chose this godess to dress up as at Halloween party last year but caused fair bit of controversey in Indian community.

Off to enjoy a Kathi roll and some sunshine, temps here steadily climbing,30ish during day and 20 during night, take care and huge thanks for all messages on board, great to know people reading blog- enjoy hearing your comments.
xxx
Jess