A steady stream from this kitchen which only shuts down during sermons
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The granary where tons of rice and flour keep the kitchens stocked
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A couple dozen volunteers prepare the veggies
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KANHA Tiger Reserve
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Sunrise: Tigers (3), Sloth Bear (2), monkeys posing clutching their babies (thousands), Gaur (Bison, numerous), jackals (numerous), swamp deer (numerous), wild boar (spotted deer (hundreds), pond turtles, more than 300 species of birds: peacocks in full display, peahens being coy, vultures doing what they do, eagles, hawks, kingfishers, bee eaters, honey buzzards, in the vast meadows, Sal forests (beautiful vivid green trees), dense brush, standing water and streams.
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The view of Mumbai and the Arabian Sea from our room on the top floor (33rd) of the Trident/Oberoi Hotel. The specks in the foreground are traditional Indian ocean-going gaff rigged sailboats. The hotel and the neighboring Taj were the 2 hotels attacked by terrorists in 2008, along with several public spaces, etc. The consequences of that disaster are still felt today with machine-gun-carrying guards everywhere—in the hotels, shopping areas, transit areas—basically anywhere where serious damage can be done quickly. Beautiful views.
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The ancient tradition of Jainism precedes Buddhism. An outgrowth of Hinduism, its central tenets hold that every living thing is sacred. Taken to its logical extension, some of the remaining orthodox worshipers hold that they cannot eat tubers (because the process of harvesting it, such as carrots or onions, could kill the germs or micro-organisms in the soil. As a result, all of the people (and more) that you see in the photos taking your shoes, selling goodies, cleaning and removing spider webs, etc., are hired Hindis.
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Front of the Jainism temple. While the Temple is still very much an active place of worship, the folks have recognized that the Temple is also a tourist attraction—in no small way because of the ancient and contemporary belief system(s). So as an accommodation, they allow the public to visit the site and specific interior areas without impeding into the actual worship areas.
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The courtyard at the front of the Temple. They hire Hindus to do the maintenance etc. for fear of killing something themselves.
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The interior of the Temple. We were not permitted to enter during worship services.
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