Erotica, up close

646 sculptures cover the facade of the temple 

Place: KHAJURAHO

Khajuraho is known for its collection of 'free expression' sculptures. The Kandariyâ Mahâdeva Temple is the largest and most ornate of these medieval temples, and even has its 'erotica' tour.

Built about a thousand years ago, supposedly by Chandella ruler Vidyadhara, the main spire  of the eleventh century temple represents Mout Kailas (now in Tibet), while the surrounding spires are meant to represent other peaks.

The temple is not huge, rising 31 metres, but such intricate facade carving makes the head spin if you look intensely, even for a short while. Go up close and look up, and you will feel that you are looking up a mountain slope.

Today a UNESCO World Heritage site, this temples, and surrounding ones have been enclosed a protective enclosure, which if unimaginatively designed, at least is maintained decently. The green grass sets of the beige of the temples quite well, and once the risque remarks have been passed by companions/ passers by, take time out see this and its surrounding temples. For they are definitely a feat of architecture and imagination. And observation?  

Unity of mind

The Belur Math as seen from the river Hugli. 

Place: BELUR

A view of Belur Math, the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math. Founded by Swami Vivekananda, it is today a huge attraction for local people, who throng here daily in large numbers.

The Belur complex began in 1897, when Swami Vivekananda started work here. The main temple is The Ramakrishna temple, which resembles a temple, a mosque, a church if seen from different positions.

This photo is taken from a river cruise ship on the Hugli, just as the evening aarti is concluding.