Sanskrit Friday: Pigeon (कपोत) + An Announcement

Happy Sanskrit Friday!

I'm happy to announce I'm hosting a tw-hour workshop on the Sounds of Sanskrit on Saturday, October 12th from 2-4pm at Be Love Studio in Tulsa, Oklahoma! I'm really excited.

In this 2-hour workshop we will demystify the pronunciation, sounds, and meanings of Sanskrit words to enhance and deepen your practice. No knowledge of Sanskrit is necessary. Just bring yourself. Thank you, hope to see you there.

Sanskrit Workshop at Be Love

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Today's word is कपोत. It's pronounced kuh-poht-ah-sun and means pigeon in English.

 -----Pronunciation----- Listen and hear the Sanskrit pronunciation below.



You see the word used in combination with असन (asana, or pose) to make कपोतासन, kapotasana or pigeon pose. Sometimes this pose is called one footed king pigeon, or king pigeon. It's all the same pose, perhaps done to varying degrees. The full form is as shown  below, but the most common expression we see is without bending the leg and reaching for it. Here are the other variations with a breakdown of the Sanskrit:

• कपोतासन kapotasana = kapota + asana = "pigeon pose"
• एक पाद राजकपोतासन  eka pada rajakapotasana = eka + pada + raja + kapota + asana = "one foot king pigeon pose"
• राजकपोतासन rajakapotasana = "king pigeon pose"

The "full" expression of pigeon pose

Sanskrit is the universal language of yoga and connects us all together. Thanks for reading. You've got another Sanskrit word under your belt! For tips on learning how to read and write in Sanskrit in its native script, read my post here.

Until next week. नमस्ते,

Tyler

Sanskrit Friday: Hand (हस्त)

Happy Sanskrit Friday!

Today is the next installment of the "Anatomy Sanskrit" series! We will be learning both animals and anatomy words over the next couple months.

Today's word is हस्त. It's pronounced huhst or huh-stuh in English and means hand. In the States you sometimes hear it as hah-stuh.

 -----Pronunciation----- Listen and hear the Sanskrit pronunciation below.



You see the word used in combination with असन (asana, or pose) AND another word to make a pose name. Strangely handstands in yoga practice aren't called "hastasana" but actually downward facing tree (adho mukha vrksasana). Here are several pose names you may have heard in class:

• उत्थित हसत पादाङ्गुष्ठासन utthita hasta padangusthasana = "standing hand to big toe pose"
• सुपत हसत पादाङ्गुष्ठासन supta hasta padangusthasana = "reclined hand to big toe pose"
• पादहस्तासन padahastasana = "foot to hand pose" 
• ऊर्ध्व हस्तासन urdhva hastasana = "raised arms pose"  

Sanskrit is the universal language of yoga and connects us all together. It's like music.

Thanks for reading. You've got another Sanskrit word under your belt! For tips on learning how to read and write in Sanskrit in its native script, read my post here.

Thank you! Until next week. नमस्ते,

Tyler

Sanskrit Friday: Eagle (गरुड)

Hello, and happy Sanskrit Friday!
 
My apologies for not posting last week. I taught a few volunteer classes and ended up traveling a whole lot on Thursday and Friday. We will continue to learn animal and anatomy words over the next few months!

Today's word is गरुड. It's pronounced like "guh-rood" and best translates to eagle in English. While writing this post I discovered that the eagle most closely associated with garuda is the brahminy kite, native to the Indian subcontinent. You can read more about the mythical bird Garuda here.

 -----Pronunciation----- Listen and hear the Sanskrit pronunciation below.



You see the word used in combination with असन (asana, or pose)  to make garudasana, Eagle Pose. Guh-roo-dahsana. This is a great balancing pose and good for cyclists. It's one of the few poses that works adduction of the hip joints, which feels really nice if you've been sitting all day. Wikipedia has a photo up to show you how it looks:

Thanks for reading. You've got another Sanskrit word under your belt! For tips on learning how to read and write in Sanskrit in its native script, read my post here.

Thank you! Until next week.

नमस्ते,

Tyler

Sanskrit Friday: Big Toe (पादाङ्गुष्ठ)

Hello, and happy Sanskrit Friday!

I've been hard at work designing a new infographic for the start of today's "Anatomy Sanskrit" series! We will be learning animals and anatomy words over the next few months.

Today's word is पादाङ्गुष्ठ. It's pronounced pahd-ung-goosht in English and means big toe. Angustha means thumb, so your foot's thumb is...your big toe! 

 -----Pronunciation-----The first syllable can be pronounced "puhd" or "pahd" (पाद) because both words in Sanskrit mean foot. A common "misspelling" of this word is padangushtasana. That's because there's a "sh" sound in the word, and the Sanskrit "th" sound isn't like the one in English. Listen and hear the Sanskrit pronunciation below.



You see the word used in combination with असन (asana, or pose) AND another word to make a pose name. Here are several you may have heard in class:

• उत्थित हसत पादाङ्गुष्ठासन utthita hasta padangusthasana = "standing hand to big toe pose"
• सुपत हसत पादाङ्गुष्ठासन supta hasta padangusthasana = "reclined hand to big toe pose"

Thanks for reading. You've got another Sanskrit word under your belt! For tips on learning how to read and write in Sanskrit in its native script, read my post here.

Thank you! Until next week.

नमस्ते,

Tyler

Sanskrit Friday: Scorpion (वृश्चिक)

Today's word is वृश्चिक. It's pronounced vrush-chick in English and means scorpion.

You see the word used in combination with असन (asana, or pose) to make वृश्चिकासन vrschikasana, or scorpion pose. We spell it like "vrs" but it's pronounced like "vrush."

Isn't the Sanskrit writing beautiful?

The "r" sound in this word is considered a vowel in Sanskrit. Crazy, right? In linguistics terms, the sound is a syllabic r and is an allophone of our r sound. Say it with me – vrschikasana. Vrschikasana!
 
Vrschikasana is an advanced arm balance backbend pose and requires a lot of core and shoulder strength. It's very challenging! There's an excellent journal article for Scorpion Pose on Yoga Journal. My advice is to try feathered peacock (pincha mayurasana) first and then work into Scorpion using the wall.

Thanks for reading. You've got another Sanskrit word under your belt! For tips on learning how to read and write in Sanskrit in its native script, read my post here.

Thank you! Until next week.

नमस्ते,

Tyler

Sanskrit Friday: Tittibha/Lapwing (टिट्टिभ)

Hi! Happy Sanskrit Friday!

Today's word is टिट्टिभ. It's pronounced tih-ttih-bhuh in English and means lapwing or tittibha bird, which is a kind of bird that lives on the coast in India.

You see the word used in combination with असन (asana, or pose) to make टिट्टिभासन tittibhasana, which in English we've come to refer to as firefly pose. As far as I can tell, there is no Sanskrit basis for the translation of tittibha to mean firefly. If anyone has any information on why this has come to be, please comment below!

The "t" sound in tittibha is made in the middle-upper part of the mouth. In linguistics terms, the sound is a voiceless retroflex stop and, to me, is one of those sounds that sounds distinctly Indian. The double "tt" is held a bit longer than just one t, as though there is a pause there. Say it with me – tittibhasana. Tittibhasana!

Tittibhasana is an intermediate/advanced arm balance pose and requires a lot of core and shoulder strength. It's best done after malasana (garland pose) and बकासन bakasana (crane/crow pose). You can also transition from tittibhasana back into bakasana while still balancing on your arms. It's very challenging!

Thanks for reading. You've got another Sanskrit word under your belt! For tips on learning how to read and write in Sanskrit in its native script, read my post here.

Thank you! Until next week.

नमस्ते,

Tyler

Sanskrit Friday: Camel (उष्ट्र)

Hi! Happy Sanskrit Friday!

Today's word is उष्ट्र. It's pronounced euh-shtra in English and means camel, but it also means buffalo. Hmm! You see this word used in combination with असन (asana, or pose) to make उष्ट्रासन ustrasana, or camel pose.

There are two "sh" sounds in sanskrit. The "sh" sound here is like an English "sh" sound but made more in the back of the mouth. Say it with me now — ustrasana. Ustrasana!

Ustrasana is a moderately difficult pose and requires much attention to form. A good camel pose involves lengthening the spine up and back and not pushing your hips and glutes forward. Focus on making the spine very long, the chest very open. Place your fists into your lower back and lean up and back from there. When you're ready you can reach for your ankles behind you. You can also keep your head in line with the spine rather than dropping the head back.

Thanks for reading. You've got another Sanskrit word under your belt! For tips on learning how to read and write in Sanskrit in its native script, read my post here.

Thank you! Until next week.

नमस्ते,

Tyler

Sanskrit Friday: Locust (शलभ)

Hello! Happy Sanskrit Friday!

Today's word is शलभ. It's pronounced shuh-lub in English and means locust. You see this word used in combination with असन (asana, or pose) to make शलभासन shalabhasana, or locust pose. The "bh" sound is like a regular "b" sound but you breathe out more while you speak. Say it with me now — shalabhasana. Shalabhasana!

शलभ (shalabh) means locust, but it also means cricket, grasshopper, and moth. It's as confusing as the word is in English, where it can also mean cicada or grasshopper. I've taken the usage for grasshopper, since the word usage to mean cicada didn't start until the last two hundred years. There's a great explanation on Wikipedia about its etymology if you're interested.

Shalabhasana is a difficult pose, as its a strong back bend using your arms. A good tip is to place your hands palm-up underneath you, using your fingers to prop up your thighs to come deeper into the pose.

Thanks for reading. You've got another Sanskrit word under your belt! For tips on learning how to read and write in Sanskrit in its native script, read my post here.

Thank you! Until next week.

नमस्ते,

Tyler

Correction 8/11/14: The pronunciation guide in the infographic has been fixed!

Sanskrit Friday-ish: Fish (मत्स्य)

Hey everyone!

Sorry for the delay in posting. I've been moving house this weekend and it's taken quite a bit of time!

Today's word is मत्स्य. It's pronounced muts-yuh in English and means fish. You see this word used in combination with असन (asana, or pose) to make मत्स्यासन matsyasana, or fish pose.

Say it with me now — matsyasana. Matsyasana!

Matsyasana is a great counter-pose to shoulder stance and plough poses, as it extends your spine in the opposite direction. It's important to keep your chest open wide in this position to help extend your spine. I really enjoy looking at the world upside-down in this pose, viewing the world as a child might.

Thanks for reading. You've got another Sanskrit word under your belt! For tips on learning how to read and write in Sanskrit in its native script, read my post here.

Thank you! Until next week.

नमस्ते,

Tyler

Sanskrit Friday: Cobra (भुजङ्ग)

Namaste, friends!



Today's word is भुजङ्ग. It's pronounced bhu-juhn-guh in English and means cobra! You see this word used in combination with असन (asana, or pose) to make भुजङ्गासन, or cobra pose. Say it with me now — bhu-juhn-ga-suhn-uh. Bhu-juhn-ga-suhn-uh!
I prefer this pose to upward dog because it keeps your lumbar spine supple and supported. Cobra pose has your pelvic bones in contact with the mat, feet touching the mat behind you, either supported 20% through the arms or without. The erector spinae muscles are hard at work and this pose is great for those with forward-leaning shoulders and a closed chest. It's sister pose (to me) is snake pose, which I'll come to in a later post.

You've got another Sanskrit word under your belt! For tips on learning how to read and write in Sanskrit in its native script, read my post here.

Thank you! Until next week.

नमस्ते,

Tyler

Sanskrit Friday: Crane (बक)

Namaste, friends!

Today's word is बक. It's pronounced like the word "buck" in English and means crane! You see this word used in combination with असन (asana, or pose) to make बकासन, or crane pose. You'll often hear this pose called crow pose as well, which can also be correct (though the Sanskrit would be  काकासन (kahk-ahsun)). Some schools of yoga make a difference between having your arms bent (crow) and straight (crane) in this arm balance pose.

A nice tip for beginners is to place a block a few feet in front of you before coming into the pose. This will allow you to gently place the crown of your head on the block to help make crane/crow pose easier.

You've got another Sanskrit word under your belt! For tips on learning how to read and write in Sanskrit in its native script, read my post here.

Thank you! Until next week.

नमस्ते,

Tyler

Sanskrit Friday: Tiger (व्याघ्र)

Namaste, friends!

I've moved to Tulsa, OK and teach yoga very regularly here now, so now that I'm kinda established I wanted to bring you my new weekly feature: Sanskrit Friday!

Today's word is व्याघ्र. It's pronounced vyāghra (vyah-ghruh) and means tiger! You see this word used in combination with असन (asana, or pose) to make व्याघ्रासन, or tiger pose. Total Yoga has a nice explanation of Tiger Pose, although I would recommend keeping your toes pulled back instead of pointing but either is fine.

You've got one Sanskrit word under your belt! For tips on learning how to read and write in Sanskrit in its native script, read my post here.

Thank you! Until next week.


Tyler

Monkeys, Cows, Dogs, and More: Living in India

I was only in India for 7 weeks, but I learned so much about life in India even in that time.

There's a lot to talk about, so I'll start with a little video compilation I took in Rishikesh to give you an idea of the sights and sounds you'll encounter.



Life in India is very noisy and visceral. You're surrounded by many people. Rishikesh felt like a small town after Delhi but even it has a population of over 100,000. Towns are build very compact, with brick buildings pushed together and reaching sometimes four stories into the air. It makes for a noisy and open place to live. And your roof is like your backyard and patio. Kids play tag and fly kites up there, men and women hang up their laundry up there, and monkeys hang out up there.

This is probably unique to living right by the Himalayas, but Rhesus macaques regularly prowl the rooftops in search of good eats. They especially love to take sacks of garbage and rip them open to look for oranges and bananas. Our yoga hall was regularly invaded by these cute but greedy guys.  The trick is to carry a big stick (or a broomstick) and walk toward them menacingly. They show a big game but they'll run.

The good monkeys are the silver-furred ones. We called them the "yogic" monkeys because they always seemed gentle and at-peace. Never greedy or hot-tempered. And so anthropomorphic.

Outside in the streets you'll see all manner of animals. Walk down the street and you'll see wild dogs who are somehow well-fed and friendly. They help you fight monkeys, too. Cows litter the streets and do as they place, though shopkeepers won't hesitate to beat them back from their storefronts with a swift pat or push. Or by attacking them with a lawn chair, which I saw once. Luckily cows don't feel a whole lot. I've seen one get pelted by rainwater from a gutter and not budge an inch. Strange beasts, these Brahmin cattle!

Keep walking and you'll inevitably see poo. And pee. And poo. And more poo. India doesn't smell nearly as bad as I thought it would, but you definitely have a visceral connection with the more, hmm, mundane aspects of living. You get used to it quite easily and it becomes just another part of life.

You'll also see men playing cricket out in big dirt fields. They'll play cricket anywhere! You can tell this country, by and large, loves to watch and play cricket. The shopowner down the street was always watching it on his little 90's era TV at his shop.

Something that will affect you each and every time though is the poverty. It's hard not to feel sympathy every time you pass someone holding out their hands for money or food. People often congregate near busy walkways or tourist areas, and you'll pass by a dozen or so at a time sometimes, each one in need. I always gave to this man with atrophied legs. He always had a smile on his face when you passed by and didn't really beg for money, so much as be present with a little tin can and a smile. Even in that situation he can find some happiness, which means I should have nothing to want for. I can walk with both of my legs, see with two eyes, play piano with two hands and arms. There's much to be thankful for. I saw many young people working on roads, building, laying bricks, etc. People work hard in this country.

Getting around India is easy and cheap. The easiest way is to flag down a tuk-tuk driver. Always haggle with them because they'll often halve the price after a few rounds of "nope, see ya." There's a video a friend of mine shared that explains Tuk-Tuks and their lives pretty darn well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3nAQWxQric

You can forget about department and grocery stores. I loved visiting the essence oils shop to buy my soap and incense, and then walk to the general store to buy penny candies, toilet paper, and chocolate bars. Toilet paper is a luxury in India and a single roll will set you back 25-30 rupees (50¢). Men come by with carts full of cauliflower, tomatoes, and beet carrots for sale. It's a very traditional and lovely way to buy your goods. They also have stands by the sides of the roads.

I lived by the ganges and was very fortunate to be so upstream to see its waters clear and blue. People bathe regularly in the Ganges, pray to it, and make offerings by sending plates of marigolds and such downstream. Little children come by wanting to sell you flowers for 5-10 rupees. Lots of children selling flowers and such by the river. I wished they could be kids more and play instead of having to work at such a young age. India has a lot of poverty. It was hard for me to see a middle-class while I was there. Everyone's trying to get by, help their families, etc.

The saddhus are a funny bunch. They wear orange and never cut their hair. I saw a couple of them play fighting with their canes once. I'm not sure if they are enlightened, ascetic and working towards enlightenment, or what, but they're always to be found on the benches by the chai stall, talking and smoking bidi with their pipes.

Traffic is mad but has a rhythm and a rule to it. Street lights are non-existent outside of major cities. It's so safe because there are no rules - you have to be observant in order not to hit anyone or anything. I spent a day driving with a rented scooter and had no trouble navigating the streets or the highways, though I wish they used parabolic mirrors for those unguarded, don't-run-off-the-cliff-because-ouch hairpin turns. It's fun to see the roads in Indian towns!

Dining out is cheap and delicious. You can have a lassi, naan, a main dish, AND ice cream or some other treat for 200-300 rupees, which is 4 or 5 USD. It's amazing. Indian food and chai can be had for even less.

The nights are dark, for there aren't many streetlights in towns like Rishikesh. It's great because you have a great chance to view the stars and planets up in the sky. Right from your rooftop!

Hope you enjoyed the post. It meandered a bit but let me know if you liked it. :-)


Tyler

Holi: Festival of Colors in Rishikesh

Holi. Festival of Colors. A rainbow color warfare like I'd never seen before in my life. We started in the morning around 8:30am in our cottage/hotel area. Some students got excited and ran to each door, knocking and giving us a fun surprise. Powder leapt from hands and onto pants, shirts, skin, beards, hair, and anywhere else it could stick. I was the recipient of one such surprise, though I was ready for it!

It was like a war zone inside our cottage when we left, or so I thought until our merry little band of yogis-in-training marched onward to Laxman Jhula, the small town 15 minutes to the North by the Ganges. That place was like Call of Duty: Holi Edition. An amalgam of multistory concrete buildings smashed together across a narrow street spanning a kilometer.

Little pockets of intense warfare littered the street. Balloons, sprayers, and big plumes of pink, green, blue, and gold being thrown into the air and your face by adults and kids alike. Balloons and soakers rained from above by little kids and women from the balconies. I can still hear the screams.

As what happens often in wartime, you get separated from your group. Our group of 20 turned into 10, and then 8. We all eventually made it to the endpoint in various stages, looking like a technicolored paintball victim and smelling of bright flowers (the powders are sometimes natural and smell good). I had a train to catch that afternoon so I ran all the way back to our cottage, dodging all of the hotspots and powder plumes as I did so. Almost all, anyway. Not everyone was violent about their holi powder; some nice people and gents came up and rubbed your cheeks, head, and/or beard with some powder and wished you well!

I didn't take any cameras with me as I wanted to enjoy the event fully and without worry. And I did. It was awesome. I want to do it again next year. If you have a chance to celebrate Holi...take it. You'll be pink and blue for a couple days afterward, but it's worth it! For more information on the holiday and its background, read the wiki on Holi. It's a nice lunar holiday and has a neat story about equality and new beginnings. Hope you enjoyed hearing about my Holi experience!

 

Tyler 

Graduation Ceremony

We had our graduation ceremony on our last Saturday night. It lasted 3.5 hours, but oh, the dancing! A frenzy of spinning, clapping, and sweating in our kurtas and saris. One of our instructors, Himanshu, and his friends got into the dance circle and danced like fiends! It was such an energy and excitement! I have a video compilation to show you some of our dancing.

I've had fun times with nearly every one of the fifty students in our training at Rishikesh Yog Peeth. This has been the best group to be with because everyone has been so accepting and loving. It's like nothing I've had before. Lots of beautiful happiness.

Roshan, our philosopher and anatomy instructor, reads out the names of us graduating.

The 49th class of 200hr Yoga Teachers at Rishikesh Yog Peeth!

Me looking very happy! :-D

I want to leave you with this poem my friend Kelsey Quinn wrote. She recited it at the talent show we had a week before graduation and it sums up my experience in such a vivid way. Many thanks to her for allowing me to publish it here.

Rishikesh Rememberings

by Kelsey Quinn

Slate grey wings dance in the dust overhead. Fluttering, cooing and wrestling in mounds of fluffy feathers resembling the aftermath of a child's pillow fight.

Thunderous footsteps lumber across steel shelters. Little menacing monkeys with coral cheeks snatch students' snacks.

Their calm cousins with coal faces covered in silver coats sit quietly in tree tops like wise grandparents who have seen it all and now watch the world with experienced eyes.

Soothing sounds of sitar and singing bowls spiral up the streets. Diffused smells of smokey nag champa and finger-warming fires mingle with the grounding scents of overflowing sacs of cardamom, fresh butter cookies and seasonal strawberries secured to cycles.

Cows express sporadic moos

Bikes bellow perpetual horns

Yuhhh! yells the man pushing his cart containing cruciferous crops. I can't help but wonder…is this perhaps the hindi word for cauliflower?

Tonight we are serving rice, lentils, and yuhhh!

In the hall Happy says Smile, Deepa says 'Yes? Yes, class?' Roshan says 'Pardon Pardon Pardon?', Dipti giggles.

Frying pumpkin fritters waft from Krishna's Kitchen. It's meatball night! Yogis rejoice in the spandex nature of their clothing. 

Grating, chopping, clanging and blending…blending, blending…mmmmmmm…margaritas…No. No. Back to the breath.

Blue kites soaring on rooftops amuse the young all morning. Rapturous cricket in deserted courtyards keeps the boys 'til evening.

Tangerine robes drape over spindly brown shins. Still sitting, smoke spiraling.

Brown cows, black cows, white cows.

White dogs, black dogs, brown dogs. 

Rose petals, marigold garlands, rust brick piles.

Mahogany mala beads, orange bindis, crimson bracelets, white rice;

Aquamarine ganga, turquoise gems, ruby rings, emerald foothills.

Green carpet, green heart chakra

Heart overflows

-----

I'll continue to publish my adventures in Rishikesh, and about Holi festival, and about my week-long travel in Rajasthan (camelback safari!) so stay tuned. Thanks so much.

Tyler

My Final Exam

Just finished teaching my first-ever two hour asana class. But I just realized I forgot some things, like kapalbhati breathing!

Other than that, I feel like I did super well. I can really see the extra knowledge and experience I've gained here in my teaching. I've grown so much with it!

I nailed my adjustments and cues for blocks and such. I need to work on specifying *which* foot or hand to use, whether that be the 'back' 'front' or 'other' hand/foot. Just something to audially let them know so they don't have to look at me and interrupt their flow. 

Kalimba music went well! One of my classmates, Anna, was so impressed that I was playing music that I'd written myself. 

I adjusted as needed and didn't follow my script to a T, but it worked; we ended at almost exactly 120 minutes. The end result was an energized, refreshed class of grateful students! Yippee!

Graduation ceremony is tomorrow. It's been an incredible six weeks and I've made some real friends here. A beautiful energy about this place! I barely recognize my former self in photos. Old me seems like a past life now. 

I'll post about more adventures I've had when I find some time. Until then!

Tyler

My Scooter Adventure into the Mountains

We get Sundays off at Rishikesh Yog Peeth every week. It’s our day to go out and do whatever we want. You can go into town and chow down on pizza and lassi by the ganga, sit an enjoy a satsang by a famous person (like Mooji), or…rent a scooter and drive into the Himalayas. I’ve done all of these things, but I want to tell you most about that last one.

For weeks I’d wanted to rent a motorbike and drive into the wilderness behind our yoga school but never quite found time. I finally made time after visiting the Beatles Ashram (!) to spent the entire afternoon on the back of my bike, but we went further and higher than I ever imagined me going and it was beautiful.

My friend Kelsie and I went into Laxman Jhula (the nearby part of Rishikesh) to rent two motorbikes. It cost each of us 500 rupees for two days plus 360 rupees for gas. We had to gas up again before leaving town, which brought the total to 1560 rupees, or about $25. Super cheap, like most things here. Gloriously cheap. If you ever want to try something new this is the place to do it. (We rented two days because sometimes the scooters are all rented out by the late morning, so we got them the day before). Beautiful!

Well, almost. It didn’t start out beautiful. Driving one of those things was a bit scary at first. Wide mountain roads are in sharp contrast to the crowded, narrow streets of Rishikesh. I figured it out after 5 minutes but was pretty awkward and scary with all of the people, scooters, and giant jeeps vying for the streets along with you. There’s little room for newbies! 

Armed with out yogi apple bread from the market and a general idea of where to go, we set out past the footbridge. I had a general idea of how to reach this temple high in the mountains along highway 94, but not much more than that. I had my GPS with me to stay on route and it was helpful navigating the twists and turns. First we had to stop for gas. Gas pumps in India seem to all be full-service style. They’ll fill up your tank with a smile! They’ll also fill up your plastic soda bottles with petrol if you want. Wild!

The highway runs up along the mountainside so it’s tortuous like you wouldn’t believe. But fun! Along the way you see all of these signs for the Border Roads Organization, or…BRO. They’re hilarious.

We drove for an hour or so into the Himalayas before settling onto this beautiful little mountain town. We took our time here, taking in the sights and people. I took a photo with a cute little schoolboy who was with his sister. He had such confidence in telling me his name and talking to me. His father wasn’t far behind and said a very polite “Namaskar!” to me. People there were so polite and kind. 

We got a bit list and asked for directions at this swank resort on the mountain for the temple. We had another 11 km or so to go. At the next little town we found we were almost there…just another 4km. Those 4km were some of the most fun and beautiful we had driven (and most of it was fun and/or beautiful).  

Pine trees, a dynamic afternoon sun, and steep winding roads up to this beautiful temple. Just gorgeous! We passed by a small group of houses and an old woman pumping water smiled at us and said hello as we passed. We felt so welcome here.

The temple itself was rather small but had a beautiful view. We had bought a little offering “kit” at the base of the entrance and walked the 110+ steps up to the restaurant, and then another 50-80 steps to the temple. 

We had no idea what to do with the little offering kit, but there were some kids up there who were more than eager to help us out (for a price, of course!). We gave them some money and they cracked the coconut for us and showed us how to tie this red ribbon around the tree there. 

We took some photos of the view (which was obscured by haze and clouds, unfortunately) and fed some bread to the cute dog following us about. The temple sanctuary area was small and dark, but quaint. We requested the Ganesha mantra and were given some sweets to offer to Ganesha and were blessed. His words were calming. They put red bindi stuff and rice on your forehead afterward, but the rice always seems to fall off for me!

Now that we’d cleared any obstacles (spiritually) to our path, we decided to have our yogi bread for lunch down at the restaurant. The young guy running small cafe, Vicki, sat with us and helped keep the monkeys away while we dined on apple bread, almonds, and bananas. He was learning English from a “Learn Hindi” book in reverse, and I helped him out as best I could. We really hit it off and I was so content.

We had to take our leave, enjoying the sunset down the road. The roads don’t have streetlights so driving at night is more dangerous. The drive back was quick and sweet. I got good at leaning into the turns and moved swiftly down the mountain roads back home. Despite what the pictures look like, I wore a helmet for 99% of my driving. Also, we saw yet more puppies. They are so cute.

We finished with a dinner at the Beatles cafe in Laxman Jhula, returned our bikes, and called it a night! We drove a total of 78.7km. The journey was liberating. Driving myself anywhere I wanted to go was so freeing. We met wonderful people, shared smiles, and want to do it all over again soon. Beautiful day!