DAY THIRTY EIGHT
Jagannath Temple. This is what Puri is famous for. But it’s Hindus only inside. We have to stand outside, not even able to go to the viewing platform, which is closed. We watch as literally lorry loads of food is carried into the temple, sacks of sugar, pumpkins, ghee, firewood, of course too. The gods are very hungry here and have to eat 5 times a day. There are 400 temple cooks to cater to their needs and sort out all their meals. The Brahmins look well fed. I’m sure they get a share too.
Apart from the temple, the other place of interest is the beach. One end of the beach is filled with fishing boats (and human excrement as previously mentioned), right next to this is where flocks of Indians are cavorting in the sea, women fully dressed in their saris, men sometimes swimming. Beautifully decorated camels ply the beach offering rides, men sell garish candy floss, conch shells, necklaces….. At dusk everyone comes here, like a Mela, to play in the sea and watch the sun set.
