The Matrimandir

[posted 18/11/09]
[usual excuse for lack of updates: work, drunk, work, lazy, work, busy, computer on the fritz, more work etc. – but whatever]

From Pondicherry (Pondy) we headed to Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram), but first we stopped in to Auroville. The Auroville blurb in Lonely Planet made it sound like some international hippy utopia and talk of the 'giant golden golf ball meets NASA space project' really piqued my interest. As a teenager I'd been quite interested in new age stuff, so being able to visit an entire town designated as an international community striving to 'realise human unity' sounded fascinating.

The information centre had some awe-inspiring photographs of the Matrimandir (ie giant golden golf ball) so I was raring to go and get some fantastic shots of my own. We got our garden passes and headed down the 1km path to the Matrimandir gardens. Catching sight of the structure through the trees, even from a distance, it looked as fantastical as I imagined. From the viewing point I quickly got some distant panoramas and was about to head closer when I suddenly realised the gate we had to pass was through clearly labelled "No Public Access". Awah FUCK! It suddenly dawned on me that I wasn't going to be able to get any closer than the damn 'viewing point' – I was shattered! Of all the things to be denied, this one left me exceptionally disappointed. Disappointed as hell!

So it was a both a really pleasant surprise and kind of amazing to then bump into M&K as we walked back to the visitor centre! We'd left them on the other coast, travelled for days and to then come face to face with our friends after seeming to be so far from everyone kind of made our day. We stood around and chatted for a while, laughing at the chance of it all, before eventually saying our goodbyes and departing with a little chuckle.

After a bit more travelling we got to the rock carvings of Mamallapuram, where we yet again fended off guides and non-guides ("I just want to practise my english!" uh huh, sure) before being able to discover the amazing temples carved right into the massive rocks by ourselves. I use the term 'by ourselves' fairly loosely, because as with all temples there was a brisk trade of Indian tourists milling around the place. The rock carvings were very impressive, but it was the depth of some temples, carved metres deep into the rock that was the most impressive. They really don't make em like the used to, I tell ya! And as we wandered we kept on discovering temple after temple, being amazed at how extensive the whole area was.