Tag Archives: Yoga

Kanchipuram, one of India’s seven sacred cities

One of India’s seven sacred cities (its name comes from `Puram`: city, and `Kanchi`: gold, which makes Kanchipuram, `the golden city`), it was the capital of the Pallava dynasty for several centuries. Also known as `the city of 1000 temples`, of which one can still find about one hundred – witnesses of its history – whose walls seem to be singing mantras. Kanchipuram attracts millions of Shivaite and Vishnuite pilgrims.

 

The city is also well known for its hand woven silk saris, very appreciated for weddings, but one piece of advice: do not buy them there, they are more expensive than in Chennai. However, do go and visit a silk weaving workshop, it is very interesting.

It is very old, dusty city, without charm except for the undeniable beauty of its temples with their magical atmosphere.

 

The entry to the temples is FREE. It is also possible to hire a guide. The temples are open from 6h30 to 12h30 and from 16h to 20h. Prepare small change for shoe keepers, beggars and the numerous priests …

Below are the three temples not to miss, either because of their architectural beauty or for their sacred and religious atmosphere.

 

Kailashanath Temple (Pallava, 700/728) is dedicated to God Shiva (Mount Kailash is the mythical abode of Shiva). A bit isolated, 2 km outside the city to the west, this relatively small, but extremely beautiful edifice was built under the reign of King Rajasimha and King Varman III, his son. It is the most famous, the most beautiful and also the oldest Pallava temple; it is still almost intact. Due to its sobriety, specialists consider it a masterpiece of Dravidian architecture and sculpture.

It is accessed through the garden, which gives a sense of harmony to the place. Then you go through a small gate to access the sanctuary. After the small gopura adorned with deity figures and various motifs, you are in the inner courtyard. Opposite the entrance, a wonderful Nandi (the vehicle of Shiva).

The inner cloister gives a certain serenity to the place. In the outlying cells that accompany the inner enclosure there are numerous statues, as well as traces of ancient wall frescoes, from the 8th century. This is the most interesting part of the temple.

The temple is covered with statues coated in white stucco. Shiva is venerated under the form of the lingam in the cella (Holy of Hollies), accompanied by Parvati.

  Kailashanath Temple

Ekambareshvara Temple: huge 9a temple, dedicated to Shiva. You enter the inner courtyard passing through an enormous gopura, 60m high, dating from 1509. The mandapa (`hallway with a thousand pillars` – in reality 540) at the entrance of the temple is a big hallway with sculptured granite pillars, opened towards the outside. Here, examine thoroughly the numerous sculptures on the pillars; they are all different. Note the Nandi facing the temple entrance. A bit further, on the left, you will see the Kalyana Mandapa.

The famous sacred mango tree, 3500 years old, is situated in the inner courtyard; it is considered to be the axis of the world. From its four branches giving fruits of different flavours, representing the four Vedas, there are unfortunately only two left. It is here that Shiva and Kamakshi (Parvati) got married (as did JC and Anne). Outside you will find the ablution basin. If you ask the permission, you can climb up to the top of one of the gopurams.

 

 

Ekambareshvara Temple

Varadaraja Swami or Devarajswami Temple, dedicated to Vishnu, is 1 km away from the city in the direction of Mahābalipuram. The temple is surrounded by a high massive stonewall. Once you have passed by the gopura at the entrance, on your left there is a wonderful 96 pillars mandapa; on the finely crafted pillars you will see several good representations of the 10 incarnations of Vishnu. On the left side of this mandapa, you can see, hanging from the roof, a chain carved from a single block of granite. It is the most interesting part of the visit, as non-Hindu are not allowed inside the temple. At the back of this mandapa, there is big purification ablution basin. In front of the main entrance there is a big djavasthamba (standard bearer), a long brass pole that supports the temple banner, and a Nandi.

 

  Varadaraja Swami

Practical information:

  • This small city is only 66 km away from Mahābalipuram and 60 km away from Chennai (Madras). Do not spend the night there, the hotels are modest and often dirty, like in all pilgrimage places.
  • The temples are quite a long way away from each other. Rent a bike or, after having negotiated the price, hire the services of a rickshaw for the day (800INR).
  • You have to pay a fee for taking photos (20 INR) and videos (100 INR). Look after your ticket carefully.

Traditional Indian dance festival in Mamallapuram

During the sessions of Ashtanga Yoga of late December and January, Mahābalipuram hosts one of the most important classical Indian dancing festivals.

Starting on the 26th of December, it goes on for 4 to 5 weeks, until the end of January.

 

A large variety of dances are presented, such as: Bharat Natyam, Kuchipudi,Kathak, Mohiniattam, Odissi and Kathakali. Colourful folk dances are also performed. Tamil Nadu has developed and perfected this fine art. The most famous type of folk dancing in the villages is the Karagattam.

 

It is a unique occasion to appreciate the best dancers of the country performing in beautiful surroundings with the Shore Temple in the background. It gives a magical atmosphere to this festival.

Tirukalikundram

Visit this village dedicated to Shiva. It has a wonderful market filled with fruits, vegetables and flowers. Lying at the bottom of the hill of the sacred eagles.

 

At the tip of this hill is the temple of Vedagireshvar builded in the 16 century.

You’ll need to climb the 571 steps barefoot to reach to top . The view of the region is breathtaking and it is a perfect spot to observe the temple and the water tank from above.

Until the death of the old Brahmane, two eagles were spotted every day eating from his hands.

 

The temple bellow, Bhaktavatsaleshwara, is also worth the visit. With his four Gopuram, his 2 « enceintes ». At the centre is a statue of Ganesh standing at shiva’s feet who’s represented under the form of lingam.

 

Located 17km from Mahabalipuram.

Bring water for the climbing of the steps.

 

Dakchinachitra

DakshinaChitra is a centre for the living traditions of the arts: arts of the popular show, craft and architecture of the India focusing on the traditions of South India. Many exhibitions of artists.

 

It is a non-profit organisation.

DakshinaChitra opened to the public in 1996. The centre occupies 10 Ha dominating the golf of Bengal in Muttukadu.

 

Open from 10am until 6pm everyday, but Tuesday.

Admition price :

  • 200 RS.

DakchinaChitra, on the road to Chennai, 35 km north of Mahābalipuram, and 25 km south of Chennai.

Cholamandal artists’ village

The village of Cholamandal is located between Mahabalipuram (40km) and Chennai (20km). It is a co-op of artists. You’ll find a large variety of paintings and craft on wood, steal or copper of quality, in a large exhibition room.

 

Inside this complex, there is a souvenir shop where you can get the excellent book, in English “Cholamandal An Artist’s Village*.”

 

Nearby is little café serving pastry in a lovely garden, the « Garden Restaurent, Shiraz ».

Garden Restaurent, Shiraz

Cholamanda is 50 minutes from Mahābalipuram (40km) by car. You can take the bus to Madras (Chennai).

* Cholamandal an Artist’s Village, edited by Josef James, Oxford University Press, Chennai India. ISBN 019 566988 6

Book Cholamandal

Website :

Kollywood, the major movie studios to visit in Chennai

The major film studios are nicknamed Kollywood. They compete with those of Bombay …(Bollywood). There are the AVM studios and the Prasad studios. Unlike the Bombay studios, they are generally open to visitors.

You must have the luck to pass by on a day where there is a shooting.

I attended a filming in the Prasad studios, and found it very amusing, especially because of the contrast between some very basic logistics and some hyper sophisticated equipment. The cardboard decorations with the colour remaining stuck on my fingers were not bad either !

 

India remains the largest producer of films in the world.
The film industry in India is the largest in the world, 4 times that of Hollywood

These films have a huge success in India, but also in Indonesia, Iraq, Africa: Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria etc..

Why do we know almost nothing of this cinema, here?

It has the reputation of being superficial, kitsch, without artistic creativity. Always the same stories with variations on the theme of love or the struggle of good against evil, and the actors play very stereotypical roles. The characteristics of these movies are: they last over 3 hours; the scenarios are always interspersed with songs (5-6 songs), music and sumptuous choreographies, a finely tuned mixture as the spices in a curry

Movies, songs

Very commercial, this cinema meets the public expectations who require several dances, a love story, comedy, melodrama, all according to a carefully balanced mixture like the spices in a “masala” or a “curry”.
Unlike Hollywood where music is a genre in itself, in Indian cinema, songs and dances are an integral part of the unfolding of the story and screenplay.
It is a cinema, standardized to the extreme and famous for it’s kitsch. In fact, it is simply a different cinematic language to ours. As explained by Anne-Gaëlle Doshi, consultant in the seventh art of the subcontinent :
“Indian cinema has very strict and very Indian codes traveling poorly in the West, which is what causes the reluctance, but once these codes are acquired and have been accepted, it can be lots of fun.”

 

The year 2013 saw the centenary of the Indian film industry: “100 Years Of Indian Cinema industry.”

 

Photos :

Videos :

South India and music :

A glimpse on Madras – Chennai :

For Tamil movies :

And also the site :

We recommend that you visit Chennai, a big sprawling town, near Mahābalipuram.

Chennai,

Like many other large towns in India, Madras which has been renamed “Chennai” in 1996 (7 millions inhabitants), may seem at first disconcerting and hostile for the traveller who has just arrived.

Road traffic as in any other Indian town is dense, noisy and colourful. Notwithstanding the town has some charm. The cultural life is vibrant and the beaches are beautiful.

The gateway to South India

In fact to appreciate Chennai one has to accept to spend some time, enough to discover the wealth of its cultural heritage. Though the absence of major monuments means few tourists visit the capital of Dravidian art.

Some of the great and exciting things to do and see in Chennai:

  • Going for a stroll on the immense Marina Beach on a Friday or Saturday after sunset. It attracts a huge crowd of Indians in festive mood. On offer are: shooting, riding horse, foodstalls, drinks (sugar cane juice), merry-go-round for children and adults, shops with flashy and twinkling gadgets. One can also have his or her photograph taken with a cardboard cut effigy of a Bollywood star. Expect a long queue, etc…
  • The Governement Art Gallery, a must see
  • The temple of Kapaleeswarar
  • the Theosophical Society, south of Chennai
  • the Kollywood Studios which compete with Bollywood in Mombai. The first silent film in Tamil was shot in 1916. The AVM and Prasad Studios are opened to the public.
  • The factory of the legendray Royal Enfield motorbikes
  • San Thome Cathedral (St. Thomas), Mount St. Thomas (for its view of the city of Chennai and Little Mount.


Little Mount.

Individual yoga classes for pregnant women

In Brussels, an Individual prenatal yoga class will allow you to interact with your body and your unborn child, alone or in a small group of friends (reservation required)

Prenatal Ashtanga Yoga: you will have the opportunity to get accurate answers to all the questions you might have.

Yoga is an ancient art coming from India. It promotes self-discovery through simple gestures and postures, breathing awareness, relaxation and mind calming.

Taught by Jean Claude Garnier, the prenatal yoga is a special time to take care of yourself and your unborn child.

These classes are adapted to all women – at any stage of their pregnancy (the sooner, the better of course) – who want, thanks to their practice of Ashtanga yoga, to :

  • Relax and release tension
  • Get a better postural balance in everyday life
  • Learn how to synchronize breathing and body movement, and to learn how to listen to themself.
  • Build a strong relationship with themself and their future child.
  • An individual course is tailored to personal needs, body, breath and coordination abilities. A session designed to meet your specific needs with an individual follow-up.
  • Help and facilitate the delivery
  • A fast recovery

This practice enables you to relax and stay focused while working on your body through a number of specific postures. You’ll fully and smoothly experience your pregnancy and its transformation process. You’ll work to get ready for your delivery thanks to specific breathing exercises and the strengthening of your perineum.

 Getting to know your baby

From the beginning of your practice, you’ll feel your baby moving more and more in your belly. Both you and your baby will benefit from these moments of well-being. During these individual classes for pregnant women, you will learn the basics of haptonomy that will help you to bond with your baby. In utero, the baby is already whole person. This class will enable you to dialogue with your future child.

After delivery, Yoga enables you to stay connected with yourself

Birth is a very rich but often a very intense experience. You may want to relax and focus on yourself. Depending on your experience and your personal needs, Yoga classes can resume quickly after delivery. Through private lessons you’ll be able to progressively regain energy and strength in your body. Particular attention will be paid to toning your muscles (the control of the pelvic floor is a significant aspect of Ashtanga Yoga)

For further info concerning pregnancy:

Individual yoga classes for beginners or for advanced practitioners (wishing to get specific coaching)

An individual class is accessible to everyone, especially beginners.

Taught by Jean Claude Garnier, private classes offer an ideal opportunity to better understand the subtle mechanisms of yoga and enjoy its numerous benefits.

These courses are particularly suitable for people who have stopped their sport and physical activity, and who wish to regain it through the practice of Ashtanga yoga :

  • Tonus, relaxation, tension relief
  • Better postural balance
  • Synchronization of breath and body movement that will help you listen to yourself and build a healthy relationship with yourself, and with others
  • An individual class completely tailored to your personal/body capacities, breathing and coordination. A session designed to meet your needs with an individual follow-up.

This individual practice will allow you to gain :

Harmonization:

The basic practice will facilitate a harmonious relationship body/breath.

 

Restructuration :

  • It allows beginners and experienced practitioners, through a proper use of breath, to improve postural and breathing practices.
  • A personalized therapeutic support to relieve discomfort and injury

Individual classes for advanced practitioners

You will improve/deepen your Ashtanga Yoga practice. This class will enable you to receive a personal “training” focused on a better adjustment in the advanced series (second, third and fourth series …), both in the postures and in the Vinyasa.

You will be able to get precise answers to all the questions you may have

The Ashtanga Yoga Institute studio in Brussels

The changing rooms are located at the right of the entrance. There are separate changing rooms for men and women. A shower is at disposal of the students.

The Yoga studio measures 50m2. The oiled oak hardwood floor is laid on beams in order to avoid ankle and tendon problems. The studio has floor heating for more comfort.

For better comfort the studio is also equipped with floor heating, light dimmers and a mechanical ventilation system, which allows optimum ventilation.

On site, you will be able to use different equipment’s for warm-up and yoga practice, such as yoga mats, blankets for relaxation… Of course you are welcome to bring your own equipment if you prefer.

The yoga reception area

 There is a small kitchen (with a fridge, cooktop, dishes and cutlery) for eating

There are some mattresses for sleeping, if necessary

For your pleasure we have of a library with books on Yoga available on-site

For your convenience there is WIFI available on the premises