After finishing up with the doctor, I joined Lauren, Claire, and Katie Jo at a Tanjore Temple near Swamimalai. The place was incredible. It was much like any other temple but grander in stature and the stone carvings were painted in brilliant colors. An elephant stood near the entrance giving blessings to visitors, but by the time I had finished my lap around the complex, it was gone. Once we had gathered the rest of the group and eaten lunch, we drove to Tanjore itself to visit India’s largest and tallest temple built primarily by kings in the 10th and 11th centuries. Huge outer walls contained the enormous temple in the center. A guide explained (sort of) the temple’s history and some of the artwork. The top of the temple was constructed with one giant piece of stone weighing many tons. Supposedly a ramp 6km long was built from dirt leading up to the top of the structure and elephants dragged the piece of stone to its place at the very top. We wandered the complex as we waited for the temple inside to open. We met families on pilgrimage who had shaved their heads to give offerings to Shiva. We glanced at the Shiva lingam once the temple had opened but avoided the pushing, shoving, and line and headed out instead.
We visited a small veena workshop where traditional Tanjore musical instruments are made. The craftsmen were eager to let us try and smiled when we had no idea what we were doing.
Afterwards, we drove thirty minutes or so outside of town to a business school where we met with a group of MBA students. The conversation with the student I was paired with was nice but slightly awkward and forced at the same time. We had trouble connecting over similar things as he kept asking me about my favorite cricketer, wrestling, Bollywood hero’s, etc. I asked about his major, interests, goals for after school, family, etc. but had a hard time getting his answers as he talked really quickly and quietly. I conversation was quick though and we sped back to Tanjore, almost missing our train. We made it with about five minutes to spare and a friend of Katie Jo’s dropped off some dosas and parotas for us to eat for dinner. I wasn’t too hungry so I nibbled on a parota, relaxed, and headed to bed early, exhausted.
We visited a small veena workshop where traditional Tanjore musical instruments are made. The craftsmen were eager to let us try and smiled when we had no idea what we were doing.
Afterwards, we drove thirty minutes or so outside of town to a business school where we met with a group of MBA students. The conversation with the student I was paired with was nice but slightly awkward and forced at the same time. We had trouble connecting over similar things as he kept asking me about my favorite cricketer, wrestling, Bollywood hero’s, etc. I asked about his major, interests, goals for after school, family, etc. but had a hard time getting his answers as he talked really quickly and quietly. I conversation was quick though and we sped back to Tanjore, almost missing our train. We made it with about five minutes to spare and a friend of Katie Jo’s dropped off some dosas and parotas for us to eat for dinner. I wasn’t too hungry so I nibbled on a parota, relaxed, and headed to bed early, exhausted.