Its time to depart, Aurangazeb!!

Aurangabad indeed have an aura of its own. Traveling across the city, you can feel a cultural impulse once reminiscent by Aurangazeb. His ruling had made it to a flourishing city, inspite of his wrong deeds.

The trip to Ellora was quite unplanned and unprepared. I got misguided by the Policewala who said that it took 2 hours reach the caves. I asked the travels wherein I booked my departing ticket to Mumbai. He mentioned a 1 1/2 drive. It was already 3, so I placed my hand towards Ashok who was repulsive in charging Rs 350. I had to oblige, and with relief, took a nap within t rickshaw. At 3:35 I reached the magnificent caves as a lonely traveler. My laptop friend was kind enough to add to my burden. With it I traversed the way and climbed the steps to see the postures of Bodhisattavas. It reminded me of the Rangtok monastery in Sikkim.

I began looking for an underground passage, so as to escape from the madding crowd. However, it reached nowhere. Anyways I often disturbed a fellow traveller to take my photos posing over the picturesque inscriptions and deities carved from stone with dexterity. I was the 'laughing buddha'

I wondered whether I am going to be flooded by Buddhas all around. To my wonder I entered the footsteps of Shiva. Magnificient, mindblowing, exalting. The Tourism inscriptions warned not to scoff at the various headless elephants and legless deities. It had a story to say. Abode of Shiva was chiseled to perfection, with many persons going for 'atma samarpan'.

I travelled back to 160 AD when t ruler was at its zenith and the temple drew large crowds. The massive elephants welcomed us, with the inscriptions telling the story of shiva and parvathy. Hey did I see obscenity there. Oh, indeed as my political science professor used to reiterate in his classes the 'voluptuousness' was there!!! I feel ashamed of the so called hindu modernists who scoff the very idea of drawing or painting. If they had went to khajuraho, they would have blinded their eyes with shame. Kama is a part of the hindu system, as long as man and women are there. Thankfully we have not witnessed 'soma' yagam or devadasis singing to the tunes of men.

The overview from above was most cherishing of all. I could see the beautifulness of the massive structure after exerting and extending myself to climb a sloppy path. It was a revealing experience, and treat to the eyes. Though I couldn't share my excitement. Let it be like that. Even telling without sharing is a hobby of many. People who talk to animals, plants, to walls and and to themselves are exactly doing the same. Enjoying happiness within.

Departure: Mohan Travels (A/C Sleeper). I was restless for having spent Rs 830 on a 7 hour travel. Anyways I got two Poland friends who spoke polishly and invited me for a drink. I humbly said no, only to get a 'polished response' from them. (I could make out that universal language!!)... anyways, departure at 10 and arrival at 5 in Mumbai. Mumbai meri jaan.........