AS THE TEMPERATURE CLIMBS TO 100 AND THE HUMIDITY is close behind, our thoughts turn fondly to shivery mornings in Bhutan. But this is India. Again! We are on the Bay of Bengal, a few hour's drive east of Chennai. I believe we can honestly report that we have had our fill of Hindu temples, even those that have the World Heritage designation. But had we not visited Mamallapura we would always have wondered what we missed.
Traditional stone carver
It's mostly Indians who come to visit Krishna's Butter Ball and the Five Rathas. We saw only a handful of Westerners. And the famous stone carvers have produced so many giant statues of Ganesh and Krishna they can never hope to sell them all. Growling power tools have replaced the chip-chip-chip of the past; only a few traditionalists still use a hammer and chisel;
It may look a bit like France...
Puducherry, Pondicherry prior to 2006, is supposed to be a bit of France on the Sub-Continent. Despite the romanticaly named Rue de Campagnie and Dumas Street, Pondicherry isn't French. Nor is the "French" cuisine French. The croissants that replace chipattis are not fluffy and buttery either. Neither Pondicherry (nor Puducherry) is Paris - not even Hue. But the town is sparkling clean (for India, at least) with blooming flowers everywhere and hotel Richmond is very pleasant.
but this is still India!
