A Party and a Prince

 

Our touring bus for the day. India is incredible!

January 16, 2026, Thursday

Today was our first excursion day. Before we headed out, Karl went to find an ATM. He ended up running into the pujari who came to prepare the Ganesh image in front of the hotel for Pongal. We had just learned about the steps of the ritual in class. He first bathes the image, then dries the image and dresses it in special clothing. Then he adorns it with flowers and then he offers it food, lights a small camphor fire and pronounces some prayers.

Pujari preparing an image of Ganesh

The consecrated image ready for the holiday. 

Originally we were going to Vall-ji's ancestral home up in the hills for our Pongal celebration, but the rains washed out the road. So, the backup plan was to divide us into two groups and each group went to visit a different family. It took almost two hours to drive to the first family's home. We were in the second group and were told we were going to a farm house. We drove for another hour. We got off the main road and started down some small lanes when a man on a scooter stopped us and said we could not go down the road we were on because a live power line was down. So, we went another direction and the hairpin curves were too tight for the bus, so we got out and walked. After walking for a while, it was determined we were in the wrong place completely and we needed to walk back to the bus.

This man on the scooter stopped and tried to help us figure out if we were in the right place. Google maps led us astray. We got to see plenty of wandering cows and goats.

Trying again on another long walk to find the home.

Karl was feeling at home!

We found the home and were ushered in to cool off in the bedroom. The bedroom is the place of honor to bring guests in an Indian home. They served us cups of coffee and/or water. We declined both.

We went to their front step and watched as the head of the household performed the overflowing rice pot ritual. He prepared food and presented it in front of the pot on a banana leaf.

We came back into the house and watched them perform another ritual in front of their family shrine. It had an assortment of images representing several different Hindu Gods.

They gave us all a pottu and then served us some of the overflowing rice, which tasted like rice pudding. It had a very sweet, creamy taste and was seasoned with roasted cashews and cardamom.

Eating the rice. Instead of using our fingers, since we didn't wash our hands, we used a piece of the plate to eat with. We were really hungry because we missed eating lunch.

Elisabeth and I got rides back to the bus!

We were going to stop for bananas and chips (French Fries) but there was not much open because of the holiday. We did get some bananas and digestives to eat for the bus ride back to the hotel. Once we got back, we had just a few minutes to collect the rest of our group and head to the palace of the Prince of Arcot. He is the only remaining Mughal prince who is recognized by the Indian government.

Amir Mahal (the palace) was built in 1798. It is still a private residence. The prince was home but not feeling well, so we met with his nephew.

The grand hallway. Abid was explaining that the architecture is very British. An Indian Palace would not be laid out with a long hallway. The rooms were filled with antiques, paintings and interesting objects.

An old fashioned palanquin that was used to transport women through town.

The staircase that led to the reception room.

These chairs are on a dais where the prince can visit with his guests.

The Prince greeting the current Prime Minister, Modi.

A row of canons on the palace grounds. 500 people live on the palace grounds. They are family members and their supporting staff. We got back at 5:30 and were very ready to find some dinner!