School has started. I'm learning an alphabet and going to classes and riding an orange bicycle and frequenting the yoga center.
But that's not interesting. What is interesting is festivals.
Festivals here are scheduled according to the lunar calendar. (A lunar calendar which disappointed me by forcing the biggest solar eclipse of the century to appear during a monsoon). We went to Bonalu at a Hindu temple that was 1000 years old. It's the celebration of Mahakali, which includes making food and animal sacrifices.
This was interesting because technically, Hinduism does not condone killing animals or eating meat. Kavitha explained to me that it was a traditional practice, which really had little to do with religious premises and everything to do with tradition.
Regardless, it was interesting. We went in one room at the temple which was made entirely of mirrors with lights in the mirrors. In the center of the room was a silver swing which was said to be a goddess's bed. We also learned about leaving bangles and coconuts to make a wish.
Today's Meal- Dosa Day. (please, no comments about having a double dosa)
Today's Deal- The solar eclipse of a century was hidden behind clouds.
Today's Reel- Animal sacrifice
1 comment:
Hello Emily,.
This is Prateik, a resident of hyderabad.
I managed to co-incidently find your blog online and was pretty amazed(pleasantly) to find that your views about hyderabad and its culture are highly positive. None the less, i suppose you have still, a lot more to learn, which i hope you would in the time that you have on hand.
Please feel free to call me if you need any help in knowing this place(or the people) better.
I'd be more than glad to help a cultural exchange student learn more.
My number is +91 99 8512 2484
E-mail: prateikasrani@yahoo.com
Regards,
Prateik Asrani
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