26TH Thurs. Pondicherry to Chennai

After breakfast we left Pondicherry for the 4 hours drive to Chennai but with a couple of stops en route

We noticed that in many of the small villages we passed (and some were no more than 10 houses) there were elaborate archways leading towards small temples - some in poor condition but most very well looked after.   And near the temples were giant horse statues - David instantly thought 'Muffin the Mule' and I must admit most bore a strong resemblance to the string puppet so popular in 1950s children's TV (although I don't remember him of course)!

We weren't able to stop for the first part of the journey but when traffic permitted Joshy pulled over so we could photograph this one ... its a bit more ornate than many we saw, with more 'characters'. 

Apparently this is Ayyanur riding the horse.   He is a powerful deity who is the protector of rural villages in Tamil Nadu.

We then stopped at the historical town of Mahabalipuram so we could walk around what appeared to be a large hilly park with granite rocks and small temples scattered around.   Its obviously a popular tour-bus stop so that meant the inevitable hassle from hawkers milling around the entrance.     Today is a national holiday (Indian Republic Day) so lots of Indian families were visiting the area as well so we couldn't get close to the temples without hoardes of people in the way.      We made our way around the periphery of the park and found other things to amuse us .... monkeys, butterflies and some amazing dragonflies.

This is called Krishna's Butterball.   Its a huge granite rock resting on a short incline on one of the slopes.     Its about 6 metres high and 5 metres wide and weighs 250 tons.   Apparently its been on this spot for more than 1200 years despite attempts by various officials to shift it due to safety concerns.

This is the only picture I managed to get of any of the shrines, and this was taken by holding the camera above the heads of the tour-bus crowd.

We were so very hot and engrossed with trying to photograph elusive bugs that we totally missed a section of the park with some beautifully carved stones.    We went back a little later and David took these (whilst I got an extra 5 minutes in the cool of the air-conditioned car). 

This monkey didn't wan't to be photographed (but it didn't want to move away either) it just kept studiously looking away from the camera.

The monkey families seemed to be living in caves near the top of the granite slopes which were obviously pretty slippy.   There were several babies around and they were just slip-sliding all over the place - carefully watched by the adults who got a bit threatening if we ventured too close

Some butterflies

and these amazing dragonflies kept us amused for ages .... I tried so hard to photograph them 'on the wing' but they dart around constantly.    Eventually one settled and posed for the camera.

I've done a quick search online and think it might be a 'Common Picture Wing' dragonfly (also known as the 'variegated flutterer' which I think sounds nicer).    Anyway there were lots of them around as there was a huge lake nearby.

Finally ... on the wing!

Joshy then wanted us to visit two more historic sites, entrance is by ticket (one ticket covering both sites) but when we saw how small the first place was, and how many visitors were milling around, we decided not to pay the 500 rupee entrance fee (£5 each) and just photograph this site from outside the perimeter fence.   We cried off visiting the second temple ... just toooooo hot!

This is  Mahabalipuram Pancha Rathas temple.   Its about 60kms South of Chennai. The structures are called Rathas because of their peculiar architecture and shape. The word ‘Ratha’ means ‘chariot’ and these temples are named after the presiding gods and their images in the temples.

Mahabalipuram is a 7th century shrine and is regarded as one of the archaeological wonders of India with its ancient carvings and sculptures  (but it is quite small)


I've cheated here.    This is a 'stock photo' of the site devoid of bl**dy tourists!

These are my shots through the metal railings of the perimeter fence

then  I got bored and started talking to a piggy friend I found in a neighbouring field .. cute isn't he/she?

Away from the temple site we found a street selling stone statues/carvings which were quite lovely - but far too big to get in the suitcase of course.

The guy on the right told me he has a brother living in Plymouth and a friend in Liverpool, England.   Small world isn't it?

Hard at work - painstakingly hammering/chiselling away

I wouldn't mind this in my garden back home

We're staying overnight at the Annsun  Boutique hotel in Chennai which has the advantage of being only a 20 minute drive from the airport.    Just as well as we have to leave at 5am for our 7.30am flight to Heathrow (11.5 hours flight).



Downside of it being Republic Day is that all bars/restaurants are 'dry' ... no alcohol can be sold today.

We have to find somewhere to eat tonight then sort out our luggage in readiness for the early start and tomorrow we'll be back in Whitstable.!