A day in Mylapore

My friend Kristina came to visit in January, and we did a whirlwind tour around Chennai before flying up to Jaipur to attend the Jaipur Literature Festival. I've already written about most of the places we visited, but I thought I'd share some photos. These are from a day spent in my favorite Chennai neighborhood, Mylapore.

Men hang flower garlands for sale outside the Kapaleeshwarar Temple.

A flower vendor ties strings of flowers to make a garland.

Worshippers gather at the Kapaleeshwarar Temple's shrine to Ganesha.

Gopuram at the Kapaleeshwarar Temple.

What are these? Whatever they are, they were wandering around inside the temple.

A man worships in front of the temple's flag pole, which stands just in front of the main shrine.

Offerings at an image on one of the temple's pillars.

Johnny explores the flag pole and Nandi shrine.

Small Nandis on the gate around the Nandi shrine.

The kids take a break outside the main shrine.

The flag pole and vimana at the Kapaleeshwarar Temple.

We peeked into an open storage area and found this. I believe it's part of a temple chariot, used to parade the idols around during festivals.

More of the temple chariot.

Samuel visiting the sacred cows.

Someone praying to have a child fastened this cradle to the temple's wishing tree.

Door at the temple's main gate.

A cow decorated for Pongal.

Flowers for sale outside the temple's rear gate.

One of the old streets around the temple, where many of the Brahmin priests live in ancient homes.

A woman shops for bangles at one of the street stalls that ring the temple tank.

Bangles for sale.

Images of the gods for sale in one of the street stalls.

A street-corner shrine with the dressed and garlanded idol inside.

A view of the Kapaleeshwarar Temple from the far side of the temple tank.

Looking down on the main entrance and deliveries desk at Sri Kumaran Silks, a busy sari shop on the street facing the temple tank.

Saris for sale at Sri Kumaran.

Shop assistants at your service at Sri Kumaran.