Dear kidsinchennai followers - before the next entry, my apologies that I had a bit of trouble getting the photos in a coherent layout in the last entry. I'm trying a new tact this time -here goes.
So, after a few days in Mysore we headed off to the Coorg district in our luxurious Ambassador, fortunately, with a reasonably competent driver (more later about less competent drivers. Formerly the King of the Indian roadway, you actually don't see too many Ambassadors now days.
Ashwin and Priya thought it was a great ride.
Is that the Corn Palace off in the distance?
No, on the way to Coorg, we stopped to see the
Namdroling Monastery and the
Golden Temple. Not the Sikh Golden Temple, which is much more well known, and in Amritsar. This is the Buddhist
Golden Temple. There is a large Tibetan community in the town of Bylakuppe. Apparently, after Tibet was invaded in 1959, the Government of the State of Karnataka offered land to any Tibetans who wanted to resettle there. Quite a number took them up on the offer, and now comprise the largest Tibetan community in South India. Since moving there, the community has built a large temple and Buddhist monastery.
The Buddha in the center is Gold plated, and 18meters high!
I have to say, that I think I have been suffering misconceptions about Buddhism. In my mind, I expected the temple and monastery to be peaceful, quiet, contemplative. Instead, there was a riot of color, gory pictorial, and monks who were very affable, fun loving, and made a lot of noise!
Priya thought the temple made a great dance space.
Is that the Corn Palace off in the distance?
No, on the way to Coorg, we stopped to see the Namdroling Monastery and the Golden Temple. Not the Sikh Golden Temple, which is much more well known, and in Amritsar. This is the Buddhist Golden Temple. There is a large Tibetan community in the town of Bylakuppe. Apparently, after Tibet was invaded in 1959, the Government of the State of Karnataka offered land to any Tibetans who wanted to resettle there. Quite a number took them up on the offer, and now comprise the largest Tibetan community in South India. Since moving there, the community has built a large temple and Buddhist monastery.
The Buddha in the center is Gold plated, and 18meters high!
I have to say, that I think I have been suffering misconceptions about Buddhism. In my mind, I expected the temple and monastery to be peaceful, quiet, contemplative. Instead, there was a riot of color, gory pictorial, and monks who were very affable, fun loving, and made a lot of noise!
Priya thought the temple made a great dance space.
1 comment:
Wow, lots of beading and colorwork inspiration to be had here... beautiful...
MJ
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