Fireside_Hindu
Jai Lakshmi Maa
My pictures finally came back! I took them with a combination of my phone and two disposables so don't go expecting super high quality here I will make posts in segments since the forums have a funny habit of logging me out if I'm idle for too long.
First I'll just give you a basic itinerary and then we'll go from there.
Delhi, Agra, Abhaneri Village, Jaipur, Khajuraho, and Varanasi
I want to open this thread with a picture from the middle of my visit.
Now, I have a personal policy that I don't take pictures inside any religious buildings. I don't know why - I just don't feel comfortable doing it anymore. But I made kind of an exception here, for the little black and white mother near the pillar. This is one of my favorite pictures (and places) from the trip. In the village of Abhaneri between Jaipur and Agra is an old Mata Mandir called Harshmata Mandir. (The Goddess of Joy) Her temple is crumbling in parts but it is still actively used. At this particular time the main sanctum was closed for the afternoon, but I made sure to spend time enjoying the quiet of the temple area and the occasional noise from the surrounding village. I also did Pradakshina around the shrine. I was alone until the last rotation when a few men (I think one was the priest) came to the shrine to pray. I could feel them staring at me, but I just made sure to smile and go about my business.
What you can't see in the picture is the little mother's puppy toddling around a small Shiva sanctum to one side. I greeted them both but I wish I'd had some kind of snack on me to give them.
First I'll just give you a basic itinerary and then we'll go from there.
Delhi, Agra, Abhaneri Village, Jaipur, Khajuraho, and Varanasi
I want to open this thread with a picture from the middle of my visit.
Now, I have a personal policy that I don't take pictures inside any religious buildings. I don't know why - I just don't feel comfortable doing it anymore. But I made kind of an exception here, for the little black and white mother near the pillar. This is one of my favorite pictures (and places) from the trip. In the village of Abhaneri between Jaipur and Agra is an old Mata Mandir called Harshmata Mandir. (The Goddess of Joy) Her temple is crumbling in parts but it is still actively used. At this particular time the main sanctum was closed for the afternoon, but I made sure to spend time enjoying the quiet of the temple area and the occasional noise from the surrounding village. I also did Pradakshina around the shrine. I was alone until the last rotation when a few men (I think one was the priest) came to the shrine to pray. I could feel them staring at me, but I just made sure to smile and go about my business.
What you can't see in the picture is the little mother's puppy toddling around a small Shiva sanctum to one side. I greeted them both but I wish I'd had some kind of snack on me to give them.