FAREWELL TO INDIA..FOR NOW

Today is our last day in India...We leave very late or very early, depending on how you view 2:35 a.m. Last night we had a farewell dinner, in which I and 3 friends sported our newly purchased saris. It was a blast to have the hotel staff come to our rooms and help us dress, and I think they enjoyed our Beatles renditions as well. It was a bit like prom, without the guys along. We had to say good-bye to many newly made friends of the USIEFI staff and begin saying good-bye to one of the most remarkable people I met here, our tour guide and general life-saver, Gagan. It was bittersweet, as most people are beginning to think about the jobs they have waiting for them on Monday, and yet realizing how many friendships we have cultivated in these past few weeks. Living in a university town has made me more used to this type of leave taking than some others, but it's still not the most pleasant part of travel.

This morning I went with 3 friends to visit the Gandhi Museum in Delhi. It was inspiring and humbling, and his message to the right is one of the messages I'd like to close my blog with, because I think it says it all.

The second message, in lieu of a Hindu deity story (I'm going to wait until I get back to the states to award contest awards, so there is still time) is a severe oversimplification of Hindu philosophy that I think speaks to the value of travel, to seeing the "us" in others, and affirming that unity. Yesterday at our debriefing session an eloquent art historian told this quite beautifullly.

In the beginning, there was nothing. Then there was a rhythm, and the rhythm was an ocean. Everything came from that ocean, all flora, all fauna, everything. Our only salvation is to get back to the ocean. The day I realize there is no difference between you or I, and that god is within each of us equally, that day I can say I've got my salvation. That is the one truth. We all come from the same source, and will return to the same ocean. You make take as long as you want to reach salvation, and take any path you like, such as yoga, or intelluctualism, or service, or devotion. It's up to you. However, the only truth is that we are all equal and god is equally within us all.

Thank you for taking this journey with me. I have posted some last photos (see link below), and will post more video when I return to the states.

NAMASTE

http://www.flickr.com/photos/39413808@N05/sets/72157621835832689/

THE TAJ MAHAL

When I sat in my 7th grade geography class so many years ago in small town Iowa, I remember seeing a picture of the Taj Mahal in our textbook, and wondering what it must be like, who built it, where the country was, and being mystified by its beauty. I didn't have the imagination to think I would ever see it in person, but I was never very good at looking in to the future. I must say, however, the real thing did not dissapoint, and the privledge of the moment was not lost on me. I wish I could thank my parents for all they did to make it possible for me to have had the opportunity.

Pictures are a much better way for me to relay the Taj Mahal, so here’s the website to the photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/39413808@N05/sets/72157621960123350/
BTW: There are photos for 4 separate edifices/complexes. They are separated in the set by MONKEYS, so when you see a monkey, the site is changing.The first batch is of Fatehpur Sikri, built in the 2nd half of the 16th century by Akbar the Great (actually Akbar means great, so he’s Great Squared). This was the capital of the Mughal Empire for about 10 years. This is a World Heritage Site.

The second building you probably recognize….The Taj Mahal was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as the final resting place for his favorite Queen Mumtaz. It took 22 years to complete and 22,000 workers.
The third building is Itmad-uh-daula’s Tomb, also sometimes known as Baby Taj. It is built entirely of marble as well, and built in 1628. Although the scale of this is far less grand than the Taj Mahal, the exterior of this building is far more ornate, with semi precious stoned inlayed all over the building. GORGEOUS.

The fourth building is Agra Fort, also built by Akbar the Great, although work continued on it for 2 more generations. Here one son imprisoned his father, the current king, so he could take over his job, but he built his dad a lovely white jail with a great view of the Taj Mahal in which to spend the last 8 or so years of his life, so it wasn't all bad.
We came to Jaipur last night via train, and will be seeing the Pink City, as it is known, for the next 2 days. It’s less humid here, so that’s a welcome relief. Enjoy the pictures, and I hope everyone who has the urge to see this place someday will.

Back to Hindu Deity work... First, I hope everyone is working on the God/Goddess contest entries; thanks to AK for her entry; I concur with the arms idea. I've failed to write about one of the big 3, Lord Brahma, except to explain why there are few temples dedicated to his honor, so let's talk his virtues for a change. Brahma is the creator of the world and all living things, and wisely thought to create a beautiful woman, known as Saraswati (a personal favorite we've discussed before). Sarasvati was shy, and grew tired of Brahma's constant gaze, so she tried to hide from him. But each way she turned, Brahams sprouted a head so he could always watch her. Now THAT'S over protective. In addition to his 4 heads, he sports 4 arms which are busy grooming his 4 long beards. He carries no weapon, but he does keep a carafe of water with him, which symbolizes the source of life. Brahma is also keeper of the holy Vedas, and each of his faces is thought to represent one of them.. Although he has 4 faces, you can usually only see 3, since one is watching what's going on behind him. Tricky fellow...teachers could use that extra set of eyes....