Once again Rubina, our travel agent came through with a wonderful guide.
Today's stops were the 18 century Peshwa Palaces at Shanivar Wada, the Pataleshwar Cave Temple, the Raja Denkar Kelkar Museum and the Agha Khan Palace where Mahatma Gandhi's ashes rest. The museum was my favourite and I wish we had more time because it deserves a day on its own. I particular liked the kitchen implements, lamps and musical instruments. I like to see what people actually use in their daily lives. There was also a wonderful display of chain mail and armour that Malcolm would like. I hadn't paid the extra fee to take pictures so unfortunately couldn't take any.
Our guide was a very engaging speaker and gave us lots of background on the history and culture of India. I learned that castes and classes are different. Our guide is a Jain, a minority sect of Hindu and she talked about the difference between Jain and Hindu. What I remember is that they are completely non-violent, follow gurus more than gods and have some interesting dietary restrictions. She also talked a lot about women's issues in India. Lots more interesting discussions today.
For lunch, we had a traditional maharashtra meal which we had to eat entirely with our fingers. Mary is left handed and was firmly told off for eating with her left hand. The food was wonderful as is everything I have eaten in India. I think I will be talking a lot about food while I am here and I already have some recipes to try.
Before we headed home, we attempted a short visit to the Osho International Meditation Resort. Unfortunately the Ashram was closed to visitors because the meditation had begun. This is a place with a very interesting history. Osho is known as the Guru of Sex and HIV tests are required if you stay there.
This is probably a good time to talk about our driver who will be with us until we leave Aurangabad. It is wonderful to have a driver. He takes us everywhere, drops us off and sits in the car until we leave, usually right in from of the place we are visiting. He sleeps in his bus in the parking lot at Sangam and I'm really not sure what he does about meals. He has been incredible patient with us and we plan to tip him well. He also negotiates the traffic with complete serenity which leaves me speechless.
Today's stops were the 18 century Peshwa Palaces at Shanivar Wada, the Pataleshwar Cave Temple, the Raja Denkar Kelkar Museum and the Agha Khan Palace where Mahatma Gandhi's ashes rest. The museum was my favourite and I wish we had more time because it deserves a day on its own. I particular liked the kitchen implements, lamps and musical instruments. I like to see what people actually use in their daily lives. There was also a wonderful display of chain mail and armour that Malcolm would like. I hadn't paid the extra fee to take pictures so unfortunately couldn't take any.
Our guide was a very engaging speaker and gave us lots of background on the history and culture of India. I learned that castes and classes are different. Our guide is a Jain, a minority sect of Hindu and she talked about the difference between Jain and Hindu. What I remember is that they are completely non-violent, follow gurus more than gods and have some interesting dietary restrictions. She also talked a lot about women's issues in India. Lots more interesting discussions today.
For lunch, we had a traditional maharashtra meal which we had to eat entirely with our fingers. Mary is left handed and was firmly told off for eating with her left hand. The food was wonderful as is everything I have eaten in India. I think I will be talking a lot about food while I am here and I already have some recipes to try.
Before we headed home, we attempted a short visit to the Osho International Meditation Resort. Unfortunately the Ashram was closed to visitors because the meditation had begun. This is a place with a very interesting history. Osho is known as the Guru of Sex and HIV tests are required if you stay there.
This is probably a good time to talk about our driver who will be with us until we leave Aurangabad. It is wonderful to have a driver. He takes us everywhere, drops us off and sits in the car until we leave, usually right in from of the place we are visiting. He sleeps in his bus in the parking lot at Sangam and I'm really not sure what he does about meals. He has been incredible patient with us and we plan to tip him well. He also negotiates the traffic with complete serenity which leaves me speechless.
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