India: Images 49

If you were to stumble into Khajuraho, not knowing about the UNESCO World Heritage Site, you would be shocked and maybe a little embarrassed to discover, on closer inspection, that the beautiful temples, like this one, is adorned with...

...images like this! These temples were built between 950 and 1050 A.D. by the Chandelas.


If you're offended by the image above, don't watch this video. It contains more images from the temples.


In addition to the larger sculptures, the temples have a narrow band of sculptures with scenes from everyday life. Everyday life included sex. This video is of that narrow band, as you would see it if you walked along one side of Lakshmana temple.

India: Images 48

Peaceful view of the river. The river is said to be septic.

People bathe in the river!

Traffic in Varanasi.

The nightly ganga aarti ceremony on Dasaswamedh Ghat.

India: Images 47

There really is a difference between the dry season and the monsoon season. This parched river bed comes to life during the monsoon.

The famous ghats on the Ganga, in Varanasi.

Permanent residents.

Don't look at me...

India: Images 46

Mahabhodi Temple. The tree on the left is the Bhodi tree.

Another view of the Bhodi tree.

As close as you can get to the tree.

Waiting in line to view some sacred relics.

25m-high Buddha statue, unveiled by the Dalai Lama in 1989.

India: Images 45

Painting, inside the Tibetan temple, of the Buddha sitting under the Bhodi tree.

Muchalinda Lake, where the Buddha meditated and was sheltered from a storm by the snake god of the lake.

Large groups of monks from many countries gather all around the temple to meditate.

I think these are Cambodian.

They start young.

India: Images 44

I don't know how the plants survive.

The glowing eyes, the red marks on the backs and the moon in the distance make these sheep on Sudder St look spooky.

Welcome to Bhodgaya, the birthplace of Buddhism.

Tibetan temple.

Detail around door of Tibetan temple.

India: Images 43

It wasn't really that cold in Darjeeling, but when there is no heat in the buildings, it feels cold all the time.

No, this is not a human auction. These people are waiting to watch the parade on Republic day, in Kolkata.

Apart from the tanks and missiles showcased in the parade, the colorful headgear was most interesting.

People departing after the parade.

A girl performing after the parade.

India: Images 42

Man in the next bus.

This Jain temple was really dazzling, but the photo came out dull.

Man going to bathe in the Hooghly.

Darjeeling. There is ongoing political unrest here. I was delayed one day in getting here, because everything was shut down and no buses or taxis were running. In this photo, there was some kind of political march. I stayed far enough back, just in case something erupted.

Darjeeling is located in the lower Himalayan range. The streets are a confusing zigzag on the hills. January is not the best time to visit. The entire region is covered with fog, obscuring any view of the mountains.

India: Images 41

Typical street in Kolkata.
The flower market at Howrah Bridge. Photographing the bridge is prohibited, and there is a military presense on the bridge, so I did not risk it. The bridge is the busiest bridge in the world, as far as the number of people who cross each day, in vehicles and on foot.
Evening ferry across the Hooghly River, from Babu Ghat to Howrah Train Station.Tippu Sultan's Mosque
Traffic on one of the main roads in Kolkata.

India: Images 40

I like how people completely ignore signs - like this one that prohibits sitting on the fence.
I don't remember the name of this park along Cathedral Rd, but I was impressed by how clean it was!
Victoria Memorial is quite a beautiful building, but with the air pollution, you'd hardly know it.
On the street leading to Victoria Memorial.
Ok, this litter is more like what I expect.

India: Images 39

One of my first sights in Kolkata. I think this guy was dead. His eyes were open, staring blankly. There were flies around him. A few other people noticed and were standing looking at a distance. No one, including me, did anything.
The mosquitoes here are big, but unlike in Orissa, these are relatively harmless, I think. I skipped the state of Orissa for fears of malaria and dengue.
Lindsay St at night.
Interesting wearing surface, small stones embedded in a grid pattern. I don't know if they are placed by machine or by hand.
I will always remember Mintu Park, because a bird pooped on my shirt. It had been years since that had happened.