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Day 24 (January 31, 2000)
On my way to Kanyakumari (Cape Cormorin) I stopped at Tiruchendur to see the shore temple there, with its tall gopuram (gateway) on the beach. It's a beautiful temple, and though I feel quite "templed out" I was glad I visited, mostly because it is extremely popular with pilgrims, who were willing to talk a little to me about where they'd come from. Many were from Calcutta and Andhra Pradesh, and many of are on a path that included Tirupati where shorn hair is an especially auspicious offering. Many people, like this beautiful toddler from Andhra Pradesh (who was delighted with her first beach experience), had wetted ash smeared all over their shaven heads for the puja ritual here. See related Dispatch BACK TO HOME |
