So, I survived my first 24 hours in India, and the last 36 have been interesting. I'm pretty jet lagged, sore from yoga, hungry like someone hasn't fed me in days, and feeling a bit homesick today. But let me give you a recap of what happened the past day and a half.
I woke up yesterday and did my first Ashtanga practice in India! Wow, how freaking cool to be practicing Ashtanga yoga in India, Dev reminded me of this today and he's totally right, that's pretty freaking sweet, not that I am ungrateful for it, but I've been feeling a little uneasy here so it was a gentle reminder that I'm having this experience with the good and the bad. I'm practing Ashtanga yoga which the whole reason why I wanted to be in India and in Mysore. Grateful!
Post class I enjoyed breakfast in my room and then decided to venture out for the afternoon. I had heard great things about the Chamundi Hills and the Sri Chamundeshwari Temple. So I called my uber - yes folks, they've got uber here in Mysore, and headed to the hills. This drive took about 35 minutes, mind you terrifying at times due to the way the traffic works around here, think of weave and bob as you maneuver through the streets. The drive there was so pretty, I went through neighboring burbs of Kukkarahalli by the University; Agrahara by the Mysore Palace; and finally to Chamundi.
University of Mysore
Passing by a side entrance of the Mysore Palace
Coconuts, flowers, and fruits for the offering to Shiva
I arrived to the gate at Chamundi Hills and was surprised to see so many vendors selling all types of things. I was immediately overwhelmed as I proceeded to walk to the temple. So many people were trying to sell me all types of things to make my offering. Flowers, coconuts, fruits! I had come prepared with an offering and couldn't believe how many people were in my face! When I declined to purchase they told me it would be bad bad luck and that I was disrespecting Shiva. It was not a pleasant experience and here I was this little American lady venturing to the temple. Upon arrival to the temple you must remove your shoes and store them at the 'slipper stand' outside. You are not allowed to wear your shoes as you walk through the temple, and you cannot even store them in your backpack. So I gave up my shoes got a shoe ticket and proceeded to talk to the temple. It was very crowded and again overwhelming. They caution for pick pocketing so I had my bag on my front and arms wrapped around it. As I was making my way through the procession, one of the guards asked to see my shoe slip ticket. I showed him my slip and then the questions began. "Why you alone, you here alone? Only 1 on this slip. You come with me, get out of line ... ". It was starting to make sense why the man who gave me my shoe slip told me to keep it in my hand and to not surrender it. As a female it's common to recieve, lets call it 'attention' from men and not just here in India. I was aware of this but had yet to encounter any issue so now I was beginning to understand. I told the guard that my husband (ha!) and family had already gone through so I was now making my way, and I kept moving on. I had about 2 seconds at the shrine within the temple before I was pushed along out the door. Needless to say, it was a rushed and uncomfortable situation. I walked quickly back to retrieve my shoes, and the man there tried to rip me off. I couldn't wait to get out of there and back to Gokulum. I chatted with my two British friends quickly, got my shoes, and proceeded to walk back to the carport area to get my uber. While walking 3 young teenage boys started to harass me for a selfie. Really? I was not interested and politely declined. They kept asking me for the following 20 minutes while I was waiting for my uber. Oh yes, and lets not forget that my phone decided not to work so well. Between the no service single and uber not being able to find my location, my heart started to race and I began to panic. WTF was I thinking coming here! All I wanted was to pay my respects to one of the most holy temples in all of India mind you, and what I experienced couldn't be further from that. My uber arrived and whisked me away back home. #grateful
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Entrance to Sri Chamundeshwari Temple
A little history about Sri Chamundeshwari Temple
Originally, a small temple, it gained its present form, because of the expansions offered by the Mysore Maharajas. It is also said that animal sacrifices used to be performed here, which were stopped in 18th century. The temple used to be under the care of Mysore rulers ... The pyramidal tower at the entrance, which has been designed in the Dravidian style with a small statue of Ganesha, adds on to the beauty of this temple. There are many different images of Goddess at the silver-plated doorway. Many rulers have contributed to the development of the temple and offered various valuable jewels and items to Goddess Chamundeshwari. Now devotees make offerings coconuts, fruits, and flowers to the deity.
The temple is dedicated to Sri Chamundeshwari, the titular deity of the Mysore Royal Family also described as ‘Mahishasura Mardini’ for having killed the buffalo headed demon Mahishasura. The temple has a very beautiful idol of the goddess wearing a garland of skulls. Goddess Chamundeshwari, also spelled Chamundeswari is an incarnation of Goddess Durga, Goddess Kali is also referred to as the Goddess Chamundi. Mysore was ruled by the demon-king Mahishasura, he was a buffalo-headed monster. Hence, came the name of this place - Mahishuru, the city of demon Mahisha. Hearing to the prayers of Gods and Goddess to save them from the monster, Goddess Parvathi, (consort of Lord Siva), took birth as Chamundeshwari and killed the monster. After killing the demon, the Goddess resided atop the Chamundi Hills where she is worshiped with reverence and devotion. The goddess is also known as Mahishasura Mardini meaning She who slew Mahishasura.
Godly Museum - Chamundi Hills
Upon my return back to Gokolum, I started to do some housekeeping, I was tired and still jet lagged, so I wanted to check in on my flights, pay some bills, get caught up with email, take a nap and hopefully get some lunch. I quickly discovered that my Visa was expiring the same damn day I was leaving India. I quickly googled to read about this to see if it would be an issue. I then realized that while I had a two stop flight home, my second flight didnt leave India until 12:10 AM the next day ... yep exactly 10 minutes past my valid visa date. Oh SHIT. So I googled to read about what happens when you overstay you Visa in India. Well there are a few outcomes:
- Pay a fine of $30 USD at the airport
- Detained and possibly thrown in prison for violating your Visa
- Depending on the customs/immigration officer who is working that day he/she may say no prob, or may be strict with you which could result in one of the first options above
So I emailed the embassy to see if I could get an extension so that I could avoid an unpleasant situation. Because I have an e-Visa it is only valid for 30 days. To get an extension would require me requesting for it 6 weeks in advance to the expiration date. No dice, then I decided why risk it, I'm going to update my flights. That took ages to complete and a whole lotta skype calls later to sort out. Luckily all is good, and I'm leaving two days earlier than planned to avoid any type of ordeal above.
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After the stress of the day I attend an evening backbending class with B.Srinatha. WOW! What an amazing class. The sequencing and posture work for 2+ hours was unbelievable. He spoke a lot about distributing the weight within the body. I usually avoid back bending too late in the day, but my spine felt liquid. I will be attending all of the classes with Srinatha that I can and can't wait to share the sequencing and working poses with friends and students back East. The silver lining to an otherwise stressful day. I felt asleep quickly upon my return to my room and slept well! Woke up refreshed this am for early Ashtanga. Namaste y'all!