Shopping, Beads and Tulsi Baug

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This week Raju took me to Lakshmi road. This is a bustling center of commerce; it is filled with small shops that are very crowded. I called it a Disneyland for shoppers. We went on Sunday evening when it was just beginning to cool down. We went by the flower markets where the Jasmine gave off a wonderful aroma when we passed. Marigolds were being strung for decorations.

Some of the shops were so crowded we could hardly move. Raju took me to two shops that had BEADS!! I went crazy, we found all sorts of styles and colors and when I was through I had a nice array at great prices.

On the way to the Tulsi Baug we stopped to look at the mural of the Ramayama. This is an epic poem that was written about 3 B.C. in Sanskrit. I am currently reading the latest translation. I am on book 4. The original poem had 7 books. The story is about prince Rama and his adventures. He is an incarnation of one of the Hindu Gods, Vishnu. His wife, Sita, and he fight Lord Lanka in a fantastic "good" over "evil" plot. The story is so rich in adventure and detail that I love every moment reading it. I think Raju was surprised that I knew the story and could explain the mural to him.

Then Raju took me to the Tulsi Baug. Tulsi is Hindi for the Basil plant. It is considered to be holy. In fact, one of the main basil varieties is called Holy Basil. The Tulsi Baug is a temple that is around 300 to 400 years old. As you can see in the pictures below the temple top has carvings of Hindu Gods. Unfortunately it is starting to feel its age. The area around it was so full of shops it was difficult to get a good picture of it.

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Photos

Lakshmi Road
This is the big market in Pune, it is like disneyland for shoppers. Everything is here. Raju took me and it was packed. There were stalls that were so full of people we couldn't move. But we found beads. You know I couldn't resist. I think I am going to have to ship some things back home.

Flower Market
Marigolds and jasmine are mostly sold here for decorations and weddings. The smell of jasmine on a warm, fall Indian evening is something I will never forget.

Story of Rama
Outside the temple of Tulsi Baug is a mural about Rama.

Rama and Lord Lanka
This is the end of the epic where Rama and Sita kill Lord Lanka. I haven't read that far yet. Now I know what happens. :-)

One view of the Tulsi Baug
It is difficult to get a close-up of this temple because of the trees and shops.

Comments

[Karen Friedhoff]

Trudy: I'm enjoying so much reading about your visit to Pune! I loved your description of the market....it made me "hungry" for BANGLES!!! Safe travels and say hello to all for me!

[Tom]

Go Trudy Go Trudy
You seem to be going great and enjoying India. Good for you, I have never been there. I have just returned to work after my Europe trip. Keep up the good blogging!

[Traveling Trudy]

Hello Tom
I looked at your blog and I think you have the whole world covered, except for Greenland and Antartica. I hope it is good to be back at work and take a break before you go see the penguins. Trudy