More of Sophie's Travels and Photos From India

Sophie, my niece, is still traveling in India. Right now, she is volunteering her services in an ashram, teaching yoga. This is where she was a couple of weeks ago, and she was kind enough to share this text and these photos with her aunt.

Vanacome (the phonetic spelling for "hello" in Tamil) from the beach town of Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu! My brother Chris, Sundar, and I arrived in this beautiful and relaxing place this afternoon. We stopped at a large crocodile reservation en route; it was truly fascinating! There were more than 1,000 crocodiles of at least 10 different varieties.

It is a pleasure to show Chris some of India! He arrived in Mumbai after a three-flight trip from New York. I took a 30-hour train journey from Bangalore to meet him, so we're relieved to rest outside of big cities for a few days. We are eager to attend the annual Mamallapuram Dance Festival, which is showcased in front of the enormous seventh-century Pallava base-relief sculpture of "Arjuna's penance." The festival includes traditional Bharata Natyam, Kuchipudi, Kathak, and Kathakali dance.

Chris and I by the incredible temple in Mamallapuram:

Sundar and I spent a wonderful week and a half in the state of Karnataka. We first visited Madikeri, which is the capital of the Kodagu Hill region. The local people, the Kodavus, are believed to be descendents of the Kurds or Persians. Their rolling hills are covered with tropical forest, bamboo groves, and coffee and cardamom plantations. Though exploring the city and hiking to the nearby Abbi falls was wonderful, the highlight of our stay was visiting the Kodagu Vidyaiya School for Special Children. The small but very well-managed institution provides free education and vocational training to about 50 children with various physical and mental handicaps. They are also involved in the international Special Olympics program. Their students have been awarded medals in Shanghai, Alaska, and Japan. We were incredibly impressed by the school's facilities and the beautiful dance some of the students shared with us (which was prepared for an upcoming festival). Sundar and I hope to visit the school again soon. If you would like to find out more information, please send an email to coovidy@sancharnet.in.

Trees in Madikeri:

Abbi Falls, Madikeri:

We left Madikeri for Mysore, where my adopted Aunt Gayathri lives. We were blessed with her delicious cooking all week! Her pure-vegetarian creations are made from the freshest and mostly organic ingredients and cooked with very little oil. I love her dosas, vegetable curries, and kormas. One of my favorite dishes is her ragi roti—a pancake made from rice flour and ragi (this earthy, delicious, and nutritious grain).

Sundar and I brought our new Canadian friend Michelle (a kind young woman who is doing a three-month yoga therapy course) to the Deenabandhu Trust orphanage and school, which I have visited on a few occasions. The institution is located two hours by bus from Mysore in the rural area of Chamrajanagar. This unique and charitable organization has been improving the lives of orphaned, destitute, and impoverished children since 1992. They also run a number of social-welfare programs that benefit rural communities and destitute women. There is so much I could write about the orphanage and school, which was establish by Mr. G.S. Jayadeva, who is the son of a great poet from Karnataka. I will just briefly describe, however, the inspirational work of Mr. Jayadeva and his other selfless co-workers.

Two of the younger boys at Deenabandhu. This photo is from my stay in August:

The morning assembly at Deenabandhu:

Chanting at Deenabandhu:

Michelle and some of the schoolchildren:

Sundar and one of the adorable baby goats at Deenabandhu:

 

 

The Deenabandhu orphanage is a warm home to about 45 orphans. The school, which is partially inspired by the Montessori Method, provides a free and impressive education to about 260 students (1st to 10th standard) from impoverished or broken families. The staff at the ashram (as the "orphanage" is more appropriately labeled) makes an outstanding effort to create a calm and homely feeling to help the children recover from sorrowful and traumatic past events. I do not wish to go into detail about some of the heart-wrenching stories the faculty has shared with me. What I would like to say, however, is how kind, energetic, generous, and bright the children are. They have taught me so much during the few days I have spent with them, from cricket and Bharata Natyam dancing to origami and basic Kannada. I hope to stay for a longer period in late February and March to share my knowledge in yoga and help with conversational English. To read more about the Deenabandhu Trust organization and their sponsorship programs, I encourage you to visit the Deenabandhu Trust website.

Sundar and I were also fortunate to visit their sister organization—Shaktidham, in Mysore—which is a rehabilitation home for destitute women. Shaktidham helps give educational and vocational training to more than 50 women, many of whom are victims of domestic violence. The women may stay there until they are confident being self-sufficient in the outside world, which may take a few weeks or years. It was incredibly special to meet some of the women currently living there (from age 18 to 45) and learn about their stories. At Shaktidham, there is an overall feeling of communal hope and determination for a brighter future. If you'd like to know more about this organization, please contact the Deenabandhu Trust. I have included a few photographs from these places and elsewhere.

More to come!
~Sophie

A woman at Shaktidham and her two children. The older lives at Deenabandhu (he's also in the first photograph):

Silk embroidery cards made at Shaktidham:

The director at Shaktidham (she works with her husband):

 

Children performing a dance at the Kodagu Vidyalaya School:

It is difficult to capture the beauty of a crocodile—these are some examples of what we saw:

Comments

[bpfster]

What an amazing and once in a lifetime opprotunity you are having. I think most would not have the courage to be gone from family and friends for such and extended period of time. I hope you have a great time and are truly blessed by your journey.

[Kathy]

Martha,
Thanks for news from your niece Sophie traveling in India. Hearing about the crocodile farm, school for special children, orphanage, and rehabilitation home for women is fascinating. I can just imagine the delicious food she is experiencing. My friends have cooked wonderful curries and ragi roti pancakes for me and taught me how to make them.
Kathy

[Janie]

What a fantastic trip! I feel a sense of calmness since viewing the pictures! Thanks so much for sharing them with us. Now, for the goat. I would have to hug him hourly! Sooooo, adorable. Would have a hard time leaving that lil soul.

Thanks again Sophie, and have a safe journey.

Janie

[Trish]

It is impressive the way Sophie rattles the names of these places off her tongue or maybe I should say typewriter but I can't begin to pronounce half of them. Even if I could, I know I would forget them the next minute. Her pictures are beautiful and she is obviously learning so much but also sharing her knowledge. It is good that she has Sundar for company because she must surely get homesick once in awhile being so far away! Safe journeys Sophie and maybe your auntie Martha should visit you and do some filming of her own! Trish

[amy]

Traveling mercies, Sophie. Your information on this blog is inspiring.

[Sherey]

What wonderful experiences and photos that have been shared with us. I think Sophie has inherited aunt Martha's love of travel and the written word...a young educator.

[Jan Erickson]

Hi Laura, How proud you must be of your wonderful, talented children! It is so great of you to share their lives with us and it has been absolutely fantastic to watch them as they mature into caring, productive adults. This blog from Sophie is absolutely beautiful. I look forward to her "more to come"! Thanks so much for sharing. Jan

[Hardboiledegg]

Is Darjeerling Limited --the Wes Anderson film shot on location in India-- in the theaters. I enjoyed the movie as I am a Jason Schwarzman fan after seeing him in I Heart (Love) Huckabees he is a remarkable actor.

My remarks are he is very funny. Also, Wes Anderson has introduced many-- a new generation of Americans-- to India, a colorful nation and one with people that truly love their country and traditions

[Margie]

The power of youth. Sophie writes with skill, an enthusiastic outlook, humility, a sense of knowing. ".....took a 30 hour journey by train...eager to see..". What a powerful people, Sophie, Sundar,their friends, family, Chris, et.al. Surely they are having a postive influence where ever they go. The pictures are very good.

[Isabella]

Martha,
I love reading Sophie's descriptions and seeing the photo's... please continue to share her journal with us. It's wonderful!!

[Charlene Austin (SCS - Willow01)]

Martha. This is the first time I have checked out your blog. I can't believe it has taken me so long. Love it! I especially love your MY HOME section. Made me feel like I was there. I love everything Martha, including you.

p.s. It says SCS-Willow01 behind my name. Are you familiar with Splitcoaststampers.com? Willow01 is my user name. It's an on line site where we can post our homemade cards. About 150,000 users so I am sure you must have heard of it in your craft world. I love your product for making my cards. Take care and have a great day. I will be back daily to check your blog. I am addicted to over 100 blogs so naturally yours will be included.

[Carolyn]

Martha,
I just began practicing Yoga and taking my first formal class.
Please have Sophie on the show when she returns. I would love to hear of her travels and experiences in the Ashram. Maybe even a Yoga Demo?!?!

Carolyn

[Tresa]

Martha,
I appreciate your sharing the beautiful tribute to your mother in the last issue of your magazine. I enjoyed spots and articles including "Big Martha" over the years and was sorry to hear of her passing. Having lost my own wonderful mother just over four years ago, I'm sure you would have loved to devote an entire issue just to her for the tremendous influence she had in your life.
Please accept my deepest sympathies for your loss.
Sincerely,
Tresa Wilkins

[Susan]

This is the first time I have viewed your blog and it is pure joy to read. Please pass on to Sophie that while she is in India not to miss out on visiting the Oneness University. More about it at www.onenessmovement.com Keep on blogging. Thanks

[Matilde]

I discovered your show on Tv few days ago and I liked very much
Congratulations !!
Matilde