So happy to say I finally made my way to the beach town Mahabalipuram (try saying that three times really fast). It's about a 1.5 hour drive outside of Chennai, but is totally worth it for the swimmable beach!
The Shore Temple was by far the highlight of our visit. This incredible structure was built in 700 AD and is considered the earliest important structural temple in Southern India. Also, it's made entirely of finely cut granite, which is mind boggling.
The Temple has been classified a UNESCO World Heritage site, and recent excavations have revealed new structures underneath the sand.
My favorite part was touching the granite because it was so smooth from years and years of wear and tear.
And then India decided I was having too good of a time a reared its smelly head.
Suddenly out of nowhere, a tiny bald woman wearing a face/oxygen mask + bandana pointed at me and screamed, "YOU ARE CHEATING THE GODS!"
Awesome. Still waiting for lightening to strike/praying for forgiveness.
The Shore Temple was by far the highlight of our visit. This incredible structure was built in 700 AD and is considered the earliest important structural temple in Southern India. Also, it's made entirely of finely cut granite, which is mind boggling.
The Temple has been classified a UNESCO World Heritage site, and recent excavations have revealed new structures underneath the sand.
My favorite part was touching the granite because it was so smooth from years and years of wear and tear.
And then India decided I was having too good of a time a reared its smelly head.
Suddenly out of nowhere, a tiny bald woman wearing a face/oxygen mask + bandana pointed at me and screamed, "YOU ARE CHEATING THE GODS!"
Awesome. Still waiting for lightening to strike/praying for forgiveness.
lol @ You cheating the gods.. what does that even mean?!
ReplyDelete@hollie, NO FREAKING IDEA. still praying for forgiveness, for whatever it is i did.
ReplyDeleteHaha, that's sooo India! I love that she was wearing an oxygen mask! I'm still reeling from the boy painted blue with a tail that was wandering about on the street as if it was the most ordinary thing to be dressed up like Krishna.
ReplyDeletexo Mary Jo
It's so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteCheating the Gods? Oh my. I don't know what I'd do if someone screamed that at me :(
Oh my. I don't even know what I would do if someone said something like that to me! I guess it's no more different than in the states though when some white trailer trash calling you a whore for not moving out of her way though right? ;)
ReplyDeletedid that really happen?! :/ besides that very odd event, this looks nice.. but you didn't get any pictures of the beach? Was it fairly clean?
ReplyDelete@miss raj, lol yes it really happened. she was sitting perched on top of a wall right next to the temple. the beach was clean enough--a few rotting fish but no poop, which is always a plus.
ReplyDeleteThis is an absolutely beautiful adventure, even if there were some stinky smells and a batty old lady. She might be my favorite part of this story!
ReplyDeleteThat looks amazing! To think I was in Chennai once and missed this--and it was so close :(
ReplyDeleteThese reminds me of the ruins in Nessebar, Bulgaria. I felt so tiny next to them!
ReplyDelete(P.S. My kitchen table + avocados + spa date are an open invitation...you know, if you're ever in need of a little R&R ;-)
Kimia, you are such a rebel, lol. :) What in the heck do you say to that?! Haters gonna hate.
ReplyDeleteOn the bright side, the buildings are beautiful!!!
Wow.. so strange of her to say that!
ReplyDeleteI can't get over the detail in that granite temple.. it's gorgeous!
@kimia ahhh, she must have a screw loose, don't worry about her, probs makes her day to scare the living daylights out of people who quite clearly aren't local. I'm glad you enjoyed it for the most part though :) Your pictures are beautiful as always
ReplyDeleteI think Mrs. Baldy is upset mango season is over.
ReplyDeleteAmazing structure! And, whoa, crazy bald woman-did you respond to her admonishment?
ReplyDeletethat would be one of those cultural experiences that will make you laugh for a lifetime, ha
ReplyDeleteawesome clicks dear!
ReplyDelete@Amy, I was too astonished to say anything! I just ran away, haha.
ReplyDelete@lena, she was definitely my favorite part :)
ReplyDeletethis place is so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteHoly crap, SO GORGEOUS!! WHy did that lady scream that at you?! Wow, the people in this world!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! If she meant that by touching something you were cheating the gods--then wouldn't the gods have made it easy on themselves and sent down a message for someone to put a "Do Not Touch" sign there?
ReplyDeleteWow! Incredible photos. And I guess if something happens to you then we'll know why. Haha... just kidding. Love that photo of you! So beautiful!
ReplyDeleteOh no, how scary!
ReplyDeleteI love your blog--gorgeous photos and wonderful humor!
Hahahahaha!!!
ReplyDeleteWow, this place is AH-mazing!!! I would love to see it in real life.
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ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous temple! And how funny about that old woman. Oh India indeed.
ReplyDeleteAlso: regarding the lemons, I recently had over 30 lemons at my disposal and ate more lemon curd than is probably healthy.
great post, it's like you're taking us all on vacation! love your blog and style, thanks for checking out mine and your sweet comment.
ReplyDeletecheers,
Brigette
flemingfiles.blogspot.com
Whoops-- accidently deleted my comment. What a beautiful place, I'm sure the lady did not mean it. Beautiful blog.
ReplyDeleteKimia, it's stunning! i can't imagine what that felt like, the energies circulating alone would have brought tears to my eyes. you're so blessed to be experiencing these miracles 1st hand. and um, lady out of nowhere.... the gods love to be touched okay, so lay off! xoox ♥
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures and a crazy story haha I don't know how I would react to someone accusing me of cheating the Gods!
ReplyDeletethis looks AMAZING. love the story of what happened too ;) gorgeous images!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Oh wow, gorgeous gorgeous photos!
ReplyDeleteahaha! somehow i knew something like this was bound to happen! ;) these are some gorgeous structures!!
ReplyDeletexo ~ kristina
Hey I heard they petitioning to move the Savage Beauty exhibit to London, so hopefully you can see it there ;)
ReplyDeleteCheating the Gods or not, you look gorgeous!
ReplyDelete@Nikki, my dad just sent me an email and said "you look Indian. cut it out."
ReplyDeleteWow that's such a gorgeous place
ReplyDeleteand you look so so pretty
hope you're having a nice week, your posts are always so nice
♥Marley
What a stunning place...such pretty photos and you are gorgeous as well. That story though made me laugh. That would probably creep me to death...seriously sounds like someone that would show up in my nightmares..hehe.
ReplyDelete