A really enjoyable yoga morning followed by an afternoon in Thanjavur . . . . . although today was cloudy with a couple of spots of rain :-(
Pranayama by the pool took place as planned at 7.30 (plus some surya namaskara) then an asana class and a discussion on abhyasa and vairagya - two important concepts to consider if we are to succeed in our yoga journey.
Generally speaking (we looked at several definitions, each one leading us to look at it very closely from angles we may not have thought of) abhyasa is a consistent, appropriate and focused practice and vairagya is what happens when you practice with complete non attachment, avoiding all disturbances. Chanting and meditation on this theme completed the morning.
In the afternoon we were taken into Thanjavur on a bus with this very appropriate advert:
The town was very busy, being the first day of the Pongal Festival. It's a bit like a 4-day harvest festival and they have one for people and another for animals - more on that tomorrow!
The first port of call was the Saraswati Mathal Library which showed some of its many treasures in the Museum - sadly no photographs were allowed but this woman was giving an astrological consultation just outside:
The library is part of the Palace Buildings which were stuffed full of recently excavated granite statues of the Gods and their consorts, including this optical illusion using one head doubling up as two:
On the way back to the resort we visited the workshop of a 9th-generation family 'Sambaji Raja', makers of bronzes. He showed us the mixing of the different waxes used to make the mould and shaped it into a tiny cobra. He was ably supported by an elderly assistant who operated the kiln - a small one but fiery - without the aid of goggles, gloves, a mask or any of the normal accoutrements associated with the operation of a small foundry.
A mixture of bronze, copper, tin, silver and gold is poured into the mould to make bronzes sold all over the world.
Food Report
Breakfast was an appam with seeri sambol, a sweet and sour chilli/onion chutney, and coconut sambol.
The evening buffet was another feast - tomato and spinach clear soup with onion rings, a Mint Bun (which may have been a misprint for Mini Bun), and Chicken Katti Rolls, a favourite of Rick Stein's when he made his India TV series, and I can understand why.
I was very restrained after that - a couple of roti with Binjal Fry, Carrot Poriyal, a vegetable curry, Kadi Pokadi and Hariyal Mutter Tikka. I couldn't find this last one on the Web so the link is to a similar dish with chicken - mutter means peas so I guess I had a veggie version.
Nighty night!
Pranayama by the pool took place as planned at 7.30 (plus some surya namaskara) then an asana class and a discussion on abhyasa and vairagya - two important concepts to consider if we are to succeed in our yoga journey.
Generally speaking (we looked at several definitions, each one leading us to look at it very closely from angles we may not have thought of) abhyasa is a consistent, appropriate and focused practice and vairagya is what happens when you practice with complete non attachment, avoiding all disturbances. Chanting and meditation on this theme completed the morning.
In the afternoon we were taken into Thanjavur on a bus with this very appropriate advert:
The town was very busy, being the first day of the Pongal Festival. It's a bit like a 4-day harvest festival and they have one for people and another for animals - more on that tomorrow!
The first port of call was the Saraswati Mathal Library which showed some of its many treasures in the Museum - sadly no photographs were allowed but this woman was giving an astrological consultation just outside:
On the way back to the resort we visited the workshop of a 9th-generation family 'Sambaji Raja', makers of bronzes. He showed us the mixing of the different waxes used to make the mould and shaped it into a tiny cobra. He was ably supported by an elderly assistant who operated the kiln - a small one but fiery - without the aid of goggles, gloves, a mask or any of the normal accoutrements associated with the operation of a small foundry.
A mixture of bronze, copper, tin, silver and gold is poured into the mould to make bronzes sold all over the world.
Breakfast was an appam with seeri sambol, a sweet and sour chilli/onion chutney, and coconut sambol.
The evening buffet was another feast - tomato and spinach clear soup with onion rings, a Mint Bun (which may have been a misprint for Mini Bun), and Chicken Katti Rolls, a favourite of Rick Stein's when he made his India TV series, and I can understand why.
I was very restrained after that - a couple of roti with Binjal Fry, Carrot Poriyal, a vegetable curry, Kadi Pokadi and Hariyal Mutter Tikka. I couldn't find this last one on the Web so the link is to a similar dish with chicken - mutter means peas so I guess I had a veggie version.
Nighty night!
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