Satellite
  • Day 12

    Mysore

    December 16, 2018 in India ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C

    Today we entered Mysore. A busy metropolis of some 1.8 million people. We started things off at a local temple marking the site where the demon Mahishasura was killed here by Goddess Chamundeshwari. The demon believed himself to be indestructible and the goddess pretty much proved that this was not the case.

    Nancy toughed things out in the morning, but by afternoon she was laid up with a low grade fever. She skipped the visit to the Maja Raja's palace and the follow up visit to an incense and essential oils factory. The palace is said to be the second most visited tourist site outside of the Taj Mahal. It is an interesting structure with loads of history. One guy who was born nearby came up to me and opined, "You know where they found the money to build this here? From us and our labor; you know". The women were dressed to the nines. We saw many exquisite saris and lots of regally made up babies. At 7pm on National holidays and Sundays they light up the palace. We stuck around with about 1.4 million Mysorians and witnessed the event. Augie caught it on video:
    https://photos.app.goo.gl/N5cHfcvgpXKNYZqRA

    We also had a chance to visit an incense and essential oils factory in town. The purveyor showed us how they roll incense sticks and dabbed scented oils on us explaining each oil's essential properties and various uses. Augie and I learned a lot while Sophie participated in the stick rolling and bought some of the more essential oils. I think that lotus flower oil was my favorite.

    Nancy also missed some of the nonsense we were caught up in around the taking of selfies. It seems that everywhere we go we are stopped by people asking where we are from and requesting selfies with us. It must be a 'thing'. Sophie and Augie respond congeneally. I respond by uninvitedly joining people's attempts at family photos and seeking out interesting groups to solicit my own selfies. (see photo with some of of my new Tibetan friends)

    Tomorrow we're off to another temple and end up taking the night train to the east.
    Read more