Gokarna highlights

Flower sellers outside the Mahaganapati temple

Leading bhajans at a friend's housewarming gathering, with an all Indian school girl percussion section.

A new sari: choosing in Metro Fashions, being measured for the blouse by a lady tailor with a treadle Singer sewing machine, being dressed by three Indian women, wearing it and feeling amazing; demure, exotic and very feminine.

One of two enormous wooden chariots

Being lulled to sleep nightly by the luscious, rythmic mantra of ocean waves rolling onto the shore, yards from my room.

Witnessing brahmin priests, Indian tourists, school children and amassed others taking a morning bath in the sea as the sun rises red on Gokarna main beach. Cows, dogs and crows joining in.

Mud hut for rent on Kudle beach

Yoga self-practice on my concrete verandah, overlooking fields. Cool, shady and undisturbed and exactly the right amount of space for my mat.

Spending time with Kate, a hardy New Zealander, travelling India for the first time. Straight talking and practical; also tender and compassionate.

Bathing tank at Shree Ramana temple

Cycling -  everywhere! Especially enjoying the dusty, bumpy village back roads as local children wave from their homes or run behind calling School pen!

Taking the long walk from town to Kudle beach and onwards to Om beach and back again as the sun sets, bathing the landscape in mellow light.

Light fades on the path from Kudle to Gokarna

Walking past the homes of priests and hearing the vedas read aloud. Glimpsing inside temples to see young scholars prostrating before statues of hindu deities whilst agni hotra sacred fire ceremonies are performed.

Taking a daily young green coconut, costing only fifteen rupees from stall all over town. First the delicious, nourishing water through a straw, then the husk is hacked open with a machete, scooping the tender white flesh into my mouth.

Bicycles are widely available

Playing with a family of young, sandy coloured puppies at the side of the road. Feeding them biscuits as they, wriggle, chew my toes and try to climb inside my trousers.

Collecting mineral rich, high vibrational spring water which gushes in abundance from the Shree Ramana temple.

Lord Hanuman depicted at Namaste Yoga Farm

Blessings

Jennifer