Traveling to Podanur

By the time we post this, we will have reached the orphanage in Podanur driving west from Karaikal. On our way, we stopped at the World Heritage Brihadishwara Temple which was built in 1010 where Krishna is the most depicted deity. This temple has a tall 13 story tower or vimana. There is also an enormous bull carved from a sacred stone. This temple complex is built of red sandstone so it has a warm earthly glow in the morning and afternoon light. It is remarkably beautiful and peaceful. This temple had an elephant guardian protecting it.

We spent the night in Trichy, then visited the Rock Fort Temple and Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple. Both are incredible in their own way. The Rock Fort Temple is perched on a massive rocky outcrop that is 80 meters high and is visible from miles around. At the top there is a temple is dedicated to Ganesh (elephant God). There are 437 stone cut steps that you climb to reach the top. Ranganathaswamy Temple is a series of many temples that are 1,000 years old. There are 7 concentric walled sections and 21 gopurams. It is considered the largest temple complex in India. We climbed to a vantage point where you can see the gold domed sanctum and all the goparums.

Lastly we stopped at the Dam where the Cauvery river rejoins. It was built in 500 AD. There were many herons fishing here and fighting to keep their fishing territory to themselves. There is also a portion of the dam that is directed to a bathing tank. There were many families having fun playing in the tank. The kept motioning for us to join them. We did not go in, but we did take their pictures, showed them the photos, and shook many hands.

All of the people we have met have been very kind, patient and generous. We have truly enjoyed meeting people and hearing their stories. Everyone, but particularly the children and college students want to talk to us in English and shake our hands. They have huge smiles on their faces. A college girl gave me a flower today and another offered me her ice cream.

The poverty is hard to see, and progress is needed in some areas. Karaikal still has sewers that drain into open trenches in front of every house. Kitchen sink and bath water helps flush it away. Trash is everywhere too. People told us that the government trash service is ineffective and people trying to get food and what their family needs each day make it is a low priority. Cows, goats, and pigs seem to eliminate the food waste by eating it.

This school and area is a very worthwhile of a TSC trip with so much potential to change children’s lives. I feel confident that it is a well run school with both AGK and Kumaraan’s help on a regular basis too.