Exotic atmosphere

Today we feature some more of the story of an Indian adventure, Hidden Dimensions, written by Craigie regular Kenneth Miln of Monifieth. He writes: “Heading for a break, I felt relaxed despite the hot and humid weather that day.

“Travelling through the local bazaar, my lightweight tropical suit was soon soaked in perspiration as I struggled to remain upright as the horse-drawn carriage swerved from side to side narrowly avoiding people, sacred cattle with painted horse and pariah dogs. The sound of traditional Bengali music, together with the pungent cooking smells, lent a strangely exotic atmosphere to the passing scene.

“With the bazaar left behind, a light breeze provided a degree of relief and I began to take more interest in the nature of the district. I was intrigued by the sight of an old ochre-hued temple, towards which a group of worshippers were heading carrying small brass jars containing water from the holy Ganges.

“The temple, one of many to be seen around Calcutta, was a smaller version of the magnificent Kali Temple which is of significant importance to the city’s Hindu community. As the afternoon sun dipped slowly beyond the Hooghly’s west bank, a peculiar luminosity, probably due to the excessive humidity, gave the entire area a surreal and disconcerting aspect.

“On entering Calcutta, the streets were teeming with people, men in white dhotis, elegant women in bright saris and scores of noisy children, all adding vibrancy to the scene.

“However, there were also beggars in evidence and a prostrate leper, partly covered in rags, waved a skeletal arm