to see the photos of Madurai at Divali festival, click on the link below
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2009701&id=1112916442&l=f3d45a03f6
The bus from Kanyakumari to Madurai was slow and wet due to recent rains, and since we have been in Madurai it has been chaotic!!! Today (27th October ) is the final day of the Divali festival in the south of India. the workers get a month's pay as bonus at this time of the year, and then go on a shopping spree. It seems everyone gets new clothes, pots, pans, housewares, electrical goods and gold. Since it had been raining for several days before we got here, the hawkers and shops only had 3 days to sell their goods, and the public the same time to buy theirs. Madurai is a textile centre, so lots of people come here to do their shopping. The shops were still open at 5 am this morning, but now (midday) everthing is closed, and people have gone home to celebrate with their families and let off fire crackers!! The fireworks have been going off all day and night for the last 3 days and nights!!
The reason we came to Madurai was to see the temple, but it is undergoing renovation and all four towers are covered with scaffolding and coconut mats. Cant see a thing. The palace is also undergoing renovation, and the sound and light show advertised everywhere hasn't been going since Jan 2007. At least it hasn't rained, and it has been fun going out and mingling with the hordes. We are as much of an amusement to them as their celebrations and excitement are to us.
Having a quiet day today, and have finally got this blog up to date!! We will see if we can get a bus out with the crowds tomorrow.
to see the photos of Madurai at Divali festival, click on the link below
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2009701&id=1112916442&l=f3d45a03f6
