Tiruchirapall

I spent a few days exploring the temples in Madurai and Tiruchirappalli,

 India (also known as Trichy). What an awesome experience! Both cities are loud and chaotic places, but in the temples you'll find an oasis of serenity and cheerfullness. Hindu people who come here show a kind of devotion that is quite alien to me, but I did enjoy the atmosphere a lot. You'll find pilgrims, families and surprisingly few western tourists. There are places inside the temples that are off limits for non-hindus, but I could explore large areas (and the temples really are huge).

Taken by Lars Pohlmann

Gadi Sagar Lake

The shop at the entrance of Gadi Sagar lake, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan India

Taken by Claire Pismont

Sadhu is King

This sadhu used 80 meters of material to make this turban. Respect !!

Taken in India by PawelBienkowski

Mysore

Mysore is one of my favorite cities in India. The reasons for this are not that obvious. There are no important sights to visit, no mind boggling temples or forts. It's also not a particularly beautiful place. But there is something about the people that I really liked. They are open and friendly. When I was walking through the streets of Mysore I was very often waved at, to come over and sit down and have a short chat… so often, that I had to decline many times, as I wanted to cover some ground and get some photos in the limited time I had in this friendly city.

Taken by Lars Pohlmann

Old Delhi

Delhi is a very diverse city. You have the modern parts close to Connaught Place, where all the government buildings are and then you have Old Delhi. The area around Chandni Chowk is quite well known to tourists who regularly drive through there on bicycle rikshaws or you see groups being led through the hustle and bustle by guides. But as you go in even deeper (Chowri Bazaar) it gets really chaotic and fascinating. I've only seen one Westerner there and when we saw each other we immediately started talking to each other, expressing our disbelieve of finding such a place right in the middle of this otherwise quite modern Indian Metropolis.

Taken by Lars Pohlmann

R A M A N A N. Rishikesh

Ramanan, a sadhu praying and living in a small hut on the bank of the Ganges.

Taken by Claude Renault

Gadaba Kondh

Gadaba Kondh, taken in India, by Fototraveller

C O L O U R S. Badami

"A colorful street of Badami. Karnataka." Taken by Claude Renault

Pashupatinath by night

Taken by pablodadiablo

Street View

Street view in Pushkar, India. Taken by Dick Verton

Sivraj Giri Maharaj

"Ashirvad from Sanskrit means blessing. Sadhu is regarded as a holy man, lord Siva (first and immortal yogi) is always with him. The power of his blessing is legendary and many people wish for miracles to come". Taken in Kumbh Mela, India by pablodiablo

Resting

Calcutta street scene, India, taken by subhadeep mondal2010'.

Sivraj Giri Maharaj

Do you want see Baba or monkey? he asked.Someone from the crowd shouted :monkey! monkey! This was his favorite game and he seems to enjoy it lot. Taken by pablodiablo in India

flowers

Flowers on the flower market in Varanasi, India. Taken by Dick Verton

Dongria Kondh Woman with tattoo

India. Taken by Ton

D H O T I. Pushkar

"A pilgrims drying his Dhoti on the ghats in Pushkar. Rajasthan". Taken by Claude Renault

Untitled

Kota, Rajasthan. Taken by Mickey Bardava

G Y M. Varanasi

"A man doing some morning exercises in an Akhara of Varanasi". Taken by Claude Renault

G I R L.

"A little girl in a street of Mamallapruram. Tamil Nadu." Taken by Claude Renault

Varanasi

India. Taken by Subhadeep