The trip to Chidaburam was a quick and easy journey, but as usual the bus was crowded full of people after a couple of stops in countryside town. Arriving at Chidaburam we were really surprised to see how such a little town can support so many people. We wanted to stay in a little lodge near the huge temple, o the way from the bus station we could see the colourful top of the massive temple doors, it was amazing! After checking into a pilgrim lodge, we decided to take the bus to Picharavan see a bit at the countryside. During the bus ride we met a French couple, the girl had brought her bikini expecting to see a sandy beach and some swimming, but arriving at the end of road we found ourselves in a small village at the edge of the mangrove. She wasn’t very impressed. Instead the 4 of us found a place to hire a little rowing boat to enter into the mangrove after. After paying 25RPS to be allowed to take pictures of the mangrove Marc was intent on photographing everything. The mangrove is a place full of life with thousand of birds, fishes, bees nest, crabs and fishermen.
Back to Chidamburam for a quick diner and visit to the big temple (22 hectares!!). We need to take off our choose to get inside the temple and of course photo are forbidden :s. In the temple we saw a live of carnatic music (classical south Indian music), so we sat on smooth stones that were still warm from the heat of the sun. We went near an entry of the heart of the temple, then a priest offered to guide in around the interior. He showed and explained to us in a mixture of broken English Sanskrit and Tamil numerous statues, painting and spiritual places of the temple. We saw the sanctuary of the sanctuary Shiva’s bed house!
After a chaotic visit of the centre of the temple the priest asked us for a "voluntary donation" … then he wanted to have Marc’s address in France, we just had made friends with the guru of the local sect J. He wanted us to come back the day after to show us other thing which was closed but it was a bit strange and our schedule was already tight (maybe next life time).
The next morning we start our trip to the far south of India.
It was nice to go to Pichavaram it was an opportunite to see the countryside of Tamil Nadu, with banana leaf roof, mud house and farmer working in the field.
Getting out of the temple of Chidaburam we realize how little we know about hinduism and how far removed it is of our culture.
