Monday, October 09, 2006

Hyderabad faux toes



Maula Ali ka dargah in the moonlight





Locks at the entrance to Maula Ali ka dargah, Hyderabad. Devotees put locks on this rope. I don't recall what the exact purpose of that was.





Cow outside home in Hyderabad. This is not to show India as a land of cows and snake charmers, but to showcase some entrepreneurship. As the symbol of prosperity (and fertility - thank you, circusinjungle) in the old agrarian society of India, cows were held in high regard. A lot of people still wish to show their regard ("worship") for the cows. But who has the time to have a cow at home? So this young man has this cow that he decorates and brings to middle class homes. People can perform pujas and they give him some money for the hassle-free piety.