Today was much less busy, but so rewarding. We started out
by going back to the Gate to India and taking a public ferry to Elephanta
Island. Elephanta is a UNESCO World Heritage site that constitutes one of the
most striking collections of rock-art in India. The date of the Elephanta Caves
is still very much debated and varies from the 6th century to the 8th
century according to different specialists. The main cave is universally famous
for its carvings to the glory of the Hindu God Shiva, who is exalted in various
forms and actions.
Our guide gave us a look at Hinduism and I will try to share
it with you. Hinduism is not a single monolithic religion – it is a complex set
of beliefs that form a way of life, and there are wide variation within these
beliefs. Hinduism allows a person to worship their own chosen form of Truth or
God, while at the same time, acknowledging that there are other forms that
others may worship. Thus there are many Gods in Hinduism, and Hinduism has
traditionally been very tolerant of new Gods or ideas.
There are four major groups of Hindus:
Vaishnavas – who worship God in the form of Vishnu
Shaivas – who worship God in the form of Shiva
Shaktas – who worship the Goddess (Shakti) in her many forms
Smartas – who worship six Gods, including the three above,
Ganesha, Surya and Skanda.
Broadly speaking, what unites Hindus is the belief in some
key concepts:
The concept of Dharma – (ethic/duty) Hindus must walk the
path of righteousness and do their duty towards family, ancestors, Nature and
society
The concept of Karma – Every action has a subsequent
reaction
The concept of Samsara – the cycle of rebirth (They believe
they come back as animals, such as pigeons)
The concept of Moksha – you can free yourself from the cycle
of birth and attain oneness with the Real Truth (called Brahman)
The caves were fantastic, but over 200 steps to go up. And,
every inch was lined with vendors. You could be carried to the top in a chair
on four wooden poles. There were donkeys up there as well as monkeys. About
1200 people still live on the island without electricity or any services. You
cannot move here as it is owned by the government, you must have been born
here.
After the caves we came back on the ferry and toured the Taj
Hotel, they have the old one next to the new one. And, they had clean
facilities and air conditioning. We then went to an Indian restaurant where I
had Thai Chicken and Steve had pasta. Very nice lunch. We then went shopping
for an hour and went back to the ship. Two very packed days.
We are back on our red alert for the stomach virus, so I am
without the self service laundry, but this time they have also closed the
library and the gym. The CEO of Holland is getting on in Dubai, so I think they
are trying like crazy to contain this bug. Just love washing clothes by hand,
but may have to break down and send them to be done. Going to try and hold out
a couple of days.
The next stop is Dubai, and we have a two day tour. However,
we may have to get some papers notarized for the sale of our Maple Lake house,
and may miss one or both days, so possibly will not have a lot from Dubai.
Here are our pictures from day 2 in Mumbai. I am Mumbaied
out. I think I figured out what I did wrong last time, so hopefully these will
be in order. I just try to do it so fast so it will not cost so much, I mess
up.
1 – Old Taj Hotel
2 – New Taj Hotel
3 – Ferry to Elephanta Island
4-5 Gate to India
6 – Going over in Ferry – Gal with mask has real bad asthma
and the air was bad in Mumbai
7 – Ferry docked at island
8 – Area once you get to the island proper
9 – Sign does not seem to be minded
10 – Welcome sign
11 – Looking up steps – shops are not open yet
12-13 At top
14-23 Caves
24-25 People being carried to the top
26-31 Monkeys
32 Local Beer
33 Train we took from ferry to main part of island and back
34-35 Inside old Taj hotel
36 – Cow
37 – Carriage
38 – Ship decked out in barbed wire and water canons
you can bring me back a monkey! :)
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