I arrived to find myself in the middle of a complete mob scene where locals have set up a small market of kitchen goods, jewelery, various fried foods and chai on the sides of the main path. Being the only foreigner in the entire complex, I was attracting all sorts of stoned faced stares from the local on goers. Once past the market, I climbed the steps leading to the infamous Shiva Temple of Rameshwaresh. I wasn't as impressed with the actual temple as I was the scene going on. I removed my shoes to find that inside there were people throwing seeds, flowers, and sweets around the floor as offerings, while others are cramming into a small enclosure to touch the Shiva idol, and of course you have the poorest of the poor begging at the entrance and exit. Just beyond the enclosure is a small platform with a rather large fire pit. People were walking clockwise around the pit while throwing in their offerings and blessing. Most people we crowded around for the warmth or to just be hypnotized by the flames and billowing black smoke.
After scrapping all the seeds, flowers and sweets off my feet I walked out of the temple grounds to waterfall. Down the steps I passed dozens of monkeys, which now scare the hell out of me after my Taragarh episode. Fortunately these monkey appeared rather harmless and just wanted some food. Once past the monkey's, I entered into a clearing where a large greenish pool of water has collected at the base of the waterfall. This water is now a holy bathing pool. Hindu's ceremoniously scrub and dunk their heads three times before gathering to talk and air dry. Many people after bathing walked up a trail to the right of the waterfall wall where you can find a set of ladders leading to the top. As I was heading up, everyone was heading down so when I got to the top I was completely alone. The scene was surreal and looked like the filming grounds for King Kong with massive rock formations, exotic plants, ancient wall paintings and a Shiva sculpture. I wanted to venture in further but a monkey fight broke out 20ft-30ft away from me and I nearly crapped my pants. I heard sounds that I thought could never some from a monkey; screaming, hissing, and even roaring. I ran to the top of the ladder where some boys were coming up. I warned them not to go around the corner because some Langun (monkeys) were fighting. One boy dismissed my claim and went around, only to come running back with his eyes wide open and jaw dropped. We all had a good laugh while watching the monkey leave and run up the walls of the cliff side.
As I was preparing to leave the main gate, I was stopped by some men that kept pointing from me to this old man and back while talking in Hindi. I couldn't understand anything but "yes?" So I said "yes" back and the old man jumped on the back of my bike. I seem to had just volunteered to give this man a ride into town. Everyone around was laughing, but I don't think at me, just with me. When I dropped the man off he said happy said Danyabad, (thank you) and next thing I knew, two boys my age were already situating themselves on the back of my bike. Three of us were crammed onto the small Hero Honda. This is not an uncommon site as I've seen up to SIX people fit on these bikes! Now I was really laughing and everyone was cheering in Hindi. So I set off to Bundi with my two new passengers. The only bad thing that happened on the ride was when I didn't see a speed bump and accelerated into in. We all groaned as we got our balls crushed. I dropped them at one of the gates near the South Eastern wall of the city and proceeded back to my guest house to take in all that had just happened today on my solo adventure.
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