Ganesha remover of obstacles, is the son of Shiva, and is known for gaurding the gate to the great temple. Whenever we experience an obstacle if we are wise we will recognize that it is Ganesh in disguise, and He is appearing because we are close to Shiva. In order to gain access to the Self (ie boundless bliss and unbroken peace) we must literally chop off the limited aspects of our own mind in order to see and be in the presence of that which is shinning in everything. Photos by Surendar
The Temples of India are often ornately decorated with myriad forms of divine beings, demonic figures, angelic animals etc.. The intricate carvings remind us that the Great Light takes every form, that which orchestrates the cosmos is present in every square inch. In the ancient world there existed an underlying ethos that everything is part and parcel of the whole, the totality of the universe is hidden in every form. Gazing upward toward the brightly colored hand painted temple surface I am reminded that everything is the skin of the Divine. Photos by Surendar Kshatriya
On our way to “Arunachala” the mountain of light, we were invited into a small road side “puja” room or shrine where we discussed the symbolism and meaning of the Hindu iconography with a priest and yogi who claimed to be over three hundred years old. Photos by Binsky, MC Yogi, Surendar & Ram
Monkey’s bring the stone architecture of the temple to life. Here’ some great photos, you may recognize some of these temple monkey’s from the Pilgrimage album cover. Photos by Binsky, Yogi, Ram & Surendar.
We met and hung out with some amazing Sadhu’s in Tiruvanamalai at the Shiva Temple. We sat and discussed yoga as pilgrims made there way in through the side gate of the Temple. Dig the angle, no photoshop necessary. Photos by Surendar, Binsky & Ram
Here’s some snap shots from the side of the great Shiva Temple. The Arunacahala Shiva Temple in Tiruvanamalai, South India is one of the oldest and most famous Shiva Temples in the world. The “gopurams” or towers stand 216 feet, or 20 stories tall.
Photos By Surendar, MC Yogi, Binsky & Ram
Benares or Varanasi is considered one of the most ancient and sacred cities in the world. Built on the banks of the holy river Ganges, it is one of the most revered Pilgrimages in India. Photos by Surendar Kshatriya
Every year in Mumbai, a grand festival is held to celebrate the remover of obstacles. Beautiful statues made of clay are ornately decorated infused with devotion and marched through the streets of old Bombay. The apex of the festival is when the statues are brought to the ocean where they are dissolved back into their Source. Photos by Surendar Kyshatriya
Here’s a small collection of Divine Doorways and Temple Thresholds.
Photography by MC Yogi & Surendar Kshatriya
