July 15, 2009

We are at Global College in Hubli for the third talk. As we got out of the car, we were each presented with a rose. Then as we walked in, they took our pictures, introduced us to the Principal (like the dean of the college) served us tea, a sandwitch and biscuits, and gave us a standing ovation as we walked into the lecture hall. Then we were presented with boquets and a gift of appreciation. This has been typical at each of talk. Indians are very warm and friendly people and treat us as visiting dignitaries. The Indian university gets credit for accreditation by hosting a foreign scholar.

After the second talk, Shrimati took us on a whirlwind trip on our way back to Hubli. We went to see the Gol Gumbaz (big dome) in Bijapur. The sultan build it as a crypt for himself and his family. It has an unsupported dome second in size to St. Peter's in Rome. Quite an architectural achievement. We took the stone stairs up to the chamber at the top of the temple and could whisper to each other across the room and still hear.
We visited where the 12th century saint Basaveshwar received enlightment. It is where three rivers come together. It is quite a large site for his Hindu devotees. This was my first trip inside a Hindu temple. We also visited the Durga Temple in Aihole, Pattadabal temples, and Bidami. Badami has five temples carved out of the rocky hill side. It is similar to Petra in Jordan. It was really a fascinating place. Finally, we visited another Hindu temple Banashankari near Badami. Since Shrimiti is Hindu, she participated in the rituals at the temple. Most for the women are to ask for health, prosperity and long life for their husbands. On the surface, that seems funny to not ask for the same for the women, except that widows do not typically remarry in India, so the wishes indirectly help the women too. What a day of adventure this was.
The drives during the previous two days have taken us through many small villages and farms. It is fascinating to see the goat herds, the oxen pulling wagons filled with people, the water buffalo wandering down the road, and people walking and visiting on the narrow highway. The villages take us back to how India has been for centuries.
One interesting thing is that most men wear western style clothing even in villages while women almost always dress in traditional Indian clothing.

Hope this is not boring or too rambling, but their is so much to share.

Love Jan and Charles