Brightrock

Of course, I couldn't come to India without seeing at least one elephant . . .  

The swastikas threw me off until I remembered the context.

The Matrimandir isn't quite finished yet, but it's still pretty impressive.  I had never heard of Auroville before this trip, but it looks like an interesting place to explore.  When the Matrimindir is finished, the inside will apparently be a meditation space, but for the time being visitors can only view it from a distance.    

Business has been keeping me pretty occupied, but I did have a chance to do some sight-seeing at Mamallapuram on Saturday. 

I have to admit, when the guide told me that this huge rock was called "Krishna's Butterball," I thought that he was pulling my leg. 

While the burning of "The Man" was impressive as always, the pyrotechnics used when they burned the "Crude Awakenings" art installation later that evening were by far the most impressive I've ever seen.  See these links for some video of the second burn of the evening:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_mWRIY45Yk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWGx0PhDGlU