More on temples

More on temples...don't worry; this won't be as lengthy. We weren't allowed to take photos and Ava was just not in the Hindu spirit after her red dot experience.

The second temple we visited was the Lakshmi Narayan Temple (more commonly known as the Birla Temple. It enshrines Lord Vishnu, preserver of the Hindu Trinity.

A modern Hindu temple dedicated to Laxmi (goddess of wealth) and Narayana (the preserver), the Birla Temple was inaugurated by Gandhi with the stipulation that it should be open to all castes (including the untouchables).

A few facts:

The temple was built over a six year period (1933 - 1939). Its highest tower is 165 feet; the ancillary towers reaches 116 feet. One hall -- the Geeta Bhavan -- is adorned with beautiful paintings depicting scenes from Indian mythology.

Also featured is a temple dedicated to Buddha, with fresco paintings describing his life and work. The entire complex, especially the walls and upper gallery, are full of paintings by artists from Jaipur in Rajasthan. The rear of the temple has been developed as an artificial mountainous landscape with fountains and waterfalls.

I found this temple to be very welcoming, not terribly overwhelming in size and scope and incredibly detailed (carved elephants and oxen around the steps leading up to shrines, for example).

We also had better luck with bathrooms (I know, seems like such a minor thing but when you're escorting the 3 and 6 year old crowd around it is nice to find a toilet with a seat). The smell of laundry detergent and two women industriously cleansing clothes by hand welcomed us upon entry.

After absorbing a little of the magnificence of the Hindu faith, we called it a day and headed back to the hotel.

We'll spend Friday laying low, getting ready for our trip to Rajasthan and getting together w/ some new ex-pat friends.

And by the way, I may be offline for a bit as we head into the desert for elephant and camel riding and sight seeing. Hope to have some good stuff to share upon return!