Day 34, Gokarna [Sunday 6th January 2008]
Previous day: Day 33, Gokarna [Saturday 5th January 2008]
Next day: Day 35, Udupi [Monday 7th January 2008]
I get up early and watch the morning's goings-on around the tank. It's 7am and full of people washing, splashing, swimming. Brahmins wander the town wrapped in just a simple cloth dhoti, the sacred thread, or yajnopavita tied around their body. Bells ring from from within dark rooms, children seated on a veranda chant from the Vedas. Black clad Ayyappa pilgrims are everywhere, noisily driving through town in their jeeps festooned with orange flags, deities balanced on the roof or bonnet. We were woken up by them chanting in the street at 4.30am. The feeling of worship and devotion is thick in the air here.
We walk up and over the headland to Kable Beach, which is wide and flat and pleasant, with a sprinkling of ratty dreaded hippies. We go over again to Om Beach, which is full of excited Indian boys chasing each other in and out of the water. There are empty booze bottles on the beach, lots of litter and it isn't very nice.
Next day: Day 35, Udupi [Monday 7th January 2008]
Previous day: Day 33, Gokarna [Saturday 5th January 2008]