Home once again after a fantastic six week trip. The majority of the time was spent travelling through Tamil Nadu, visiting temple towns, the countryside and hill stations. The second part, relaxing in Myanmar.
I'll begin at the beginning - Chennai.
Marina beach on a Sunday afternoon and the last day of the Pongal festival.
Pongal is one of the most popular harvest festival of South India, mainly Tamil Nadu. The festival is celebrated for four days. On, the first day, Bhogi, the old clothes and materials are thrown away and fired, marking the beginning of a new life. The second day, the Pongal day, is celebrated by boiling fresh milk early in the morning and allowing it to boil over the vessel - a tradition that is the literal translation for Pongal. People also prepare savories and sweets, visit each other's homes, and exchange greetings. The third day, Mattu Pongal, is meant to offer thanks to the cows and buffaloes, as they are used to plough the lands. On the last day, Kanum Pongal, people go out to picnic dressed in the best clothes.