Meeting up at the train station with Lu and Dave I was lucky enough to get tickets on the trains I wanted tomorrow. Yay!
The day started with annoyance when the auto-rickshaw driver took me to the wrong bus station and then I couldn’t work out which bus to get on because all of the signs are in Hindi! I managed though, and eventually I got going and in just over an hour I had arrived in Mathura.
Mathura
This little town is known throughout the religious world for being the birthplace of Lord Krishna. It is therefore one of the seven sacred ancient cities.
Arriving amongst a crescendo of horns and bells I got off of the bus and into a cycle-rickshaw. The driver was took me to a hotel instead of where I wanted to go, the most famous temple there: Kesava Deo. I’m guessing that he gets money for every tourist he brings in…
After this I decided to walk!
I ended up walking through the main bazaar and getting to the Ghats, managing to capture some photographs of the rituals happening. From here I went downhill, getting well and truly lost and walking round in circles.
After a spot of cake for lunch I decided to cut my losses and move on to Vrindavan.
Vrindivan
I arrived at the World Famous Hare Krishna complex: ISKCON and ate at their restaurant: New Govindas.
It seemed very strange to me as I don’t really come across Hare Krishnas at home. It was also very different to see Westerners in saris and the traditional Hare Krishna garb complete with prayer beads and bag around the neck.
On the way home I was inexplicably asked to change busses as I got into Agra, and whilst the busses was both still moving and on a reasonably busy main road! It was quite hectic but I safely transferred over to the new bus. I was then was asked to pay some more money for moving busses. Both Lu and me got quite annoyed at this and the bus conductor soon gave up asking once he realised that we weren’t going to pay.
I saw some funny things today:
– A parade of very naked men. I think they may be Jain. I have read about them. Apparently Jain men get to a certain age and then begin a journey of…well I’m not really too sure! In the lonely planet guide it says that you can tell the men who have given up their worldly goods and started their venture because they are in robes, covered in dust and carrying a broom! The broom is for sweeping the ground in front of them so that they do not tread on any living creature. Random. But these were fully naked, so I’m not sure if they are the same.
– Some monkeys stealing peoples shoes outside a temple…very funny! They was also having very rude monkey loving on the balcony inside and some of the children inside was all watching in awe wondering, no doubt, what was going on! Rude monkeys…
Overall the day was interesting but quite stressful…hopefully I’ll have a chill day tomorrow!
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