Chennai

I spent 9 days in Chennai.

The day I arrived, a festival started. Tamil festival. Happy Pongal!
People were burning things to burn bad spirits.
The whole city was in festival mood. Lots of people were out and just hanging out on the streets.

People draw in front of house...




I went to Marina beach, where a lot of people go during the festival.
I met some cute cheerful kids and played with them for a long time.
We did some games, petit yoga lesson since they asked me, sang and danced.
I laughed a lot, and enjoyed a lot.




I have been taking private yoga and vedic chanting lessons at Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram almost everyday.
Krishnamacharya is a legend, who was a teacher of Iyengar, Sri Pattabi Jois, and his son, Deshikachar.
Last Saturday I attended Deshikachar's talk. We discussed about 8 limbs of yoga.
I had a wonderful time at the school.





I went to Ramakrishna Math. It is a beautiful temple. I went to a bhajan, and bought some interesting books. They also have Sanskrit class every week. One day I went to take a class and it was cancelled because of the festival, and I ended up talking to a wise smily old man.

One word from him:

"Subham Bhavathu"
meaning, goodness always be there, let everything be holy, auspicious...


I went to see one dance performance, Bharatanatyam, traditional indian dance from south india, and one classical indian music concert. Male vocal, Pakhawaj(Indian drum), and violin.
At the concert, I happened to meet a friend of mine!! The first Japanese person I met in India was someone I know!! I was so surprised and happy. We can meet up later in Varanasi.


I went to see some other temples too.
Kapaleeswara temple, which worships Shiva, and one small temple near my apartment that worships Ganesh. I just walked in there without thinking anything, and a big ceremony suddenly started with a lond uplifting drum and bell sound. I followd other people and attended the ceremony. Some nice people showed me how to do things. It was magical and sweet.




I am leaving here tomorrow for Tiluvannamalai, where a lot of pilgrims gather on full moon night, and walk around a holy hill.
Tomorrow is full moon...