The end of our tour in South India

We went from Kumbakonam, to the great temple in Chidambaram, then to Pondicherry and Mammallapuram on the coast.

A temple tower seen from our hotel in Kumbakonam A puri cook in our favourite breakfast stop here A fine temple at Gangaikondacholapuram Unpainted, with a large Nandi it features good carvings Ruth and the girls, enjoying a rest on the grass A large tower over the main chamber This guy was washing from a well on the temple grounds A girl in the tree beside the well Built by a Chola emperor who conquered the north of India A wax figure by bronze casters at Swamimalai Wax figures are covered, bronze poured in and the wax melts out Hand finishing one of the "lost wax" pieces Temple in Darssuram near Kumbakonam Our driver messed up; this beauty was closed for lunch One of many temples back in Kumbakonam A jugganath, a chariot that transports idols during processions I really like the tower tops Good places for watching people Figure at a small road side temple Cooling off a hot milk drink The main tank in town; used for bathing and ritual A little boy at the tank School girls cycling by the tank Bathing ghats on the river in town Public bathing is common Washing clothes and people provide good social time Young boy with a huge load Fabulous temple in Chidambaram towers being painted Couldn't take cameras inside,but could see inner sanctum Lovely room at Sea Side Guest House in Pondicherry I was sick here and didn't shoot much, but liked the bugs Lots of street people near a temple She's about my girls age and begged while carrying her brother Pondi was a French colony, hence the police hats Big magic show ad Salt making pans seen on the bus ride to Mamallapuram Coconut flowers outside hotel in Mamallapuram Nursing mom with a few things to sell tourists Indian bathers usually go in ocean fully clothed Tsunami damaged the fleet and coast here These boats came as foreign aid 8th century Shore Temple is earliest stone temple in South India I just wander the towns and watch people Cows rule the streets I guess peace and enlightenment escaped his grasp this morning The village has long history of fine stone carvings Modern tools don't change the ancient designs The famous bas-relief "Arjuna's Penance" may just be carvers ad Goats enjoying a ramble Not temples; carved to show case local skills? Fine ancient work The cleft represents teh birth of Ganga River View of ocean from above Arjun'a Penance Krishna's Butterball School on street beside the rock monuments Hand powered ferris wheel It is parked outside a primary school Waiting for her ride He got the wheel spinning enough by thrill the kids