The beginning of our hike alternated between paths and narrow stone steps of uneven heights. Monkeys stayed close to the path, waiting for an opportunistic moment. Others whiled away the time by grooming each other and eating the lice. A baby monkey was off by itself, looking vulnerable and lonely. Through a tiny break of the tall growth along the stairs I saw a
gopuram of an old Hindu temple. As we were on a timetable, we decided to instead press forward towards the top of the hill. I did follow one short path, which led me to a canon at the top of an outcropping, pointed towards the direction of the Kalyana Mahal and other buildings below.
About partway up, we met an elderly man sitting in the shade opposite a tiny temple. With his shaky hands, he held a tray of colored saffron and sandalwood powder and spread a small amount on our forehead. A fair amount of the powder floated onto the camera dangling from my neck, but luckily it was easily cleaned later. In front of temple was a 3-pronged trishula, from which colorful bangles were hung. Also on the grounds was a linga and Nandi statue. Behind the tiny dark temple was a mural painted on stone. Sadly it had been defaced.
About partway up, we met an elderly man sitting in the shade opposite a tiny temple. With his shaky hands, he held a tray of colored saffron and sandalwood powder and spread a small amount on our forehead. A fair amount of the powder floated onto the camera dangling from my neck, but luckily it was easily cleaned later. In front of temple was a 3-pronged trishula, from which colorful bangles were hung. Also on the grounds was a linga and Nandi statue. Behind the tiny dark temple was a mural painted on stone. Sadly it had been defaced.
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