Forts, Palaces and Temples, Too

In addition to forts and palaces, we’ve been visiting temples, large and small, all along the way.  As you can see, they come in a rainbow of colors.  Like the saris, turbans and brightly-colored trucks, they pop up out of nowhere, breaking through the dust and the bleakness.  In one mile of driving you can see 10 or more of the small local temples.

Hindus represent 80 percent of the population, so the majority of the temples are theirs.  But the largest and most elaborate one we saw was that of the Jains.  This one was made entirely of beautiful white marble, and had very intricate carvings.  The temple has 1444 columns, and no two of them are exactly alike.  Jainism is one of the world’s oldest religions, and has some very conservative practices.  They literally wouldn’t harm a fly!  They’re strict vegetarians, but they take respect for other beings to the extreme.  They don't eat after dark, and wear masks over their faces, all to protect even tiny insects from being inhaled.

One of the things I love most about India is the spirituality and faith that guides these people’s lives.  There’s kindness and heart everywhere you go.  Hindus believe in reincarnation, and in karma; they strive to live righteously with hopes of doing well in the next life.  And that all sounds good to me!