The Meenakshi Temple in Madurai

Entrance to the Meenakshi Temple in Madurai

Woman preparing to offer 'pooja' to one of the temple gods

Stone workers in the temple

One of many stone statues in the temple

The roof tops are a jumble of carved gods and goddesses

This statue and the altar part of the Hall of a Thousand Pillars

Incredible ceilings

One small portion of the painted walls

Temple guard

Sew Sari

Finally wore a sari.  These are the wonderful men and women teachers and co-trainers I had the privilege of working with in Coimbatore (Southwest India).  This sari was a gift from one of the teachers, and the women helped me wrap myself in it (not an easy feat).  More photos of the two-week workshop below.

The illustrious master trainer Dr. Raja and MK

Teachers working at a poster session

The Master Dr. Vasu with teachers at a poster session

Dr. Jayasudha who has been my guru and another of the master trainers 

Yet another masterful master trainer I had the pleasure of working with, Dr. Vasuki

Below, many of the lovely teachers at the workshop.  My apologies for those left out (I wasn't able to get everyone's photo that last day), or my apologies for including those who would rather not have been included.

The Government Arts College, Coimbatore, where the workshop was held

The Road to Ooty: The Journey is the Destination

In southwestern India, near the city of Coimbatore  lies a little hill station/village named Ooty, a little town situated near the top of the Nilgiri Mountains, which has the highest peak in South India.  The trip to Ooty along a winding road, though forests and villages is what makes this trip spectacular.  Though I wasn't lucky enough to see it, the road is regularly crossed by wild elephants and leopards, and other wildlife.  While staying in Coimbatore, there were several news articles about animal attacks, one in which a forest ranger was killed by an elephant protecting her calf, that incident occurring on the day I drove this road.

I was lucky enough to see monkeys, monkeys and more monkeys.   The sign below says "No Passing" (I think) but the monkeys probably think it says "Please Feed the Monkeys."

The drive to Ooty was absolutely spectacular, with views such as these.  Beautiful towering trees with bright orange flowers.

Of course, there were wonderful temples along the way as well.  This one was high on a hill, with the various gods sitting on the path that leads to the temple, most of the statues are of the HIndu god Hanuman.

While walking down from this temple on the hill, a mother and her two children were coming up.  My heart was taken with the little girls, especially this one in the green dress.  They were kind enough to allow me to take the photo.

Ooty itself was a busy little town with lots of shops.  I didn't take the time to see the tourists sights there such as the rose garden or the lake.  The drive to Ooty took a full 5 hours so there was only time to do a little walking around.

This man walked up to me and asked me to take his photo.  It's one of my favorites.

The Nilgiri Mountains are famous for their tea plantations which line the hillsides.

Love this sign below.  A tuk-tuk stand sign, I think, that says "No Parking."  And am I supposed to smoke there or not smoke.  Or maybe it means people who are smoking can't park there?  Or no parking next to the people who are smoking?

From Ooty you can reach the highest peak of the mountains.  Beautiful vistas, and wonderful signs.

The 5 hour ride down the other side of the mountain was just as spectacular as the one going up, with sweeping vistas of the forest below, temples, villages and people willing to let me photograph them.

Below: The best driver and guide in Coimbatore.