August 15th: Independence Day in Chennai

Auto-ricksaw

Our first day in India was spectacular. August 15^th is India's Independence day, meaning it was a holiday so many families were out and about (no fireworks though like in the US). We traveled around the city in what is called an auto rickshaw. It is a very small cab that sits on top of a motor bike and has three wheels. The streets are chaotic with cars, bikes, auto rickshaws, two-wheelers (motorcycles/mopeds) and pedestrians, none of them particularly staying in their own lanes or following traffic signals. Each vehicle honks its horn when passing another, so the sounds of the streets are very distinct. Cows also roam the roads aimlessly and the vehicles go around the cows (instead of the animals moving out of the vehicles' path). While traveling through the city, people of the lower socioeconomic class are out and about- walking and sitting in the streets. As people pass by them, they hold out their hands and make motions towards their mouths, indicating their hunger.

Cows in the middle of the market place, vehicles drove around them

We went to an old Hindu temple in Chennai with amazing high relief carvings. We went during the middle of the day, which is when the temples typically close for a few hours. We soon learned the reason why- we took off our shoes and started walking barefoot on the incredibly hot stone. Luckily, we were just as quickly escorted out.

Marjorie, Andrea and Alison in the back of an auto-ricksaw (note how fast we were going by our wind-blown hair)

We then went to a large shopping mall to buy traditional Indian clothing at “fabindia,” including kurtas, or shirts and balloon pants. There were many middle class families were enjoying the holiday. It is a stark difference between the lower socioeconomic class on the streets and the middle class multi-generational families in the mall. W e ate at the food court, and both of us (Andrea and Alison) bought chicken Masala. It was an extremely spicy dish, our eyes were tearing up. Luckily, there were mango smoothies to cool us down afterward as a dessert treat. Andrea says she doesn't know if someone can get used to spicy food in three weeks, but hopes its possible!

Close-up of market, selling fresh produce

Marjorie and Alison at the Sri Parthasarthy Temple 

The Hindu temple is a mix between the two- the classes all mix, all praying and worshiping together. There are just as many people about as on the street, if not more, yet there is a greater sense of peace and unity within the temple walls. At the second Hindu temple we visited (the Sri Parthasarthy Temple, in the evening, when the temple re-opened), we found that the people are very welcoming with us participating and observing their practices, even stopping to explain their rituals and what the different Gods mean and the purpose of their rituals.   

A man worshipping at the Sri Parthasarthy Temple. Please note: this man verbally consented to his picture being taken