The first walk (hike) of the season / Visit to a Tamilian Temple - Part 1

Thanks goodness! The weather has finally cooled down and it has become bearable for a Northerner like me to venture out! :)) I love living here, but the cyclone- and rainy (hot- and humid) season make it difficult for me to do longer walks/hikes. From middle/end of April throughout October the climate is just perfect for me and we will try to do the most out of it.

Last week was our first longer walk/hike; a distance of approx 10 km/6 miles.

Long time ago I'd spotted a temple in the distance, which I've wanted to visit. DH had never been to that temple either, so we decided it was a perfect start for the "hiking-season".
To avoid the scorching midday sun, we were out as early as 8 o'clock in the morning. Clear sky and very strong sun made some of the photos a bit over-exposed, but I hope you'll get an idea of how a Tamil temple looks like.

After asking DH millions of questions (according to him!), as well as searching the net for information about Gods/Goddesses etc in Hinduism - what should I say? Gosh! The information on the net is overwhelming! I have chosen a few links which I hope is informative to you - if interested. 

After approx 3 km / 1.8 miles, this is what it appeared to be; a beautifully, decorated Tamil temple!   

Somehow I have a fascination for the architecture of Tamil temples, but I do not know much about the history of those beautiful and colorful temples, neither do I know much about their "religion"; Hinduism.
Referring to this web site; "Hinduism is not a religion in the same sense as Christianity is, it is more like an all encompassing way of life; much as Native American spirituality is".

 Tamils (Tamilians) are an ethnic group native to the Southern state of Tamil Nadu in India and the North-eastern region of Sri Lanka.
Tamilians came to Mauritius as craftsmen and traders under the French rule, which you can read more about here.  
Local Tamilians have their own "religion" (Hinduism) which has evolved since 1771 when the French (1710-1810) granted permission for a Tamil temple in Port Louis (the capital). Tamilians also indulge in spectacular forms of worship in honour of different deities, such as fire walking and piercing their flesh with enormous needles; Thaipoosam Cavadee.

Part of the temple, seen from outside.

Some of the Hindu Gods/Goddesses; (from left) Ganesh, Shiva, Parvati (wife to Shiva), Murugan (Kartekey). We don't know who the one to the right is...

We are not sure who this one is...

...neither this one...

Kartikay - son of Lord Shiva and brother to Ganesha.
By North Indian Hindus; known as Kartikay, and by South Indians (Tamilians) as Murugan.

Lord Krishna with his flute and bull.

 

Goddess Durga (on the lion) and Goddess Kali (means; the black one) to the right.

Hindu Goddesses (not sure who they are...)

Nandi - the bull. For more information, click here.

Yali - the mythical lion. 

The exit. Yali's on each pillars.

This is part 1 of our walk. Since I want to share more photos and info with you, I'll keep the rest for part 2.
(Coming soon!) :)