FiVe HuNDReD MiLeS

or Can 100K Indians cram into a cave?

Not into one, pressumably, but thirty would go. At least according to the parking lot staff at Ajanta. One lakh tourists visited that place on Christmas day. For those not too familiar with Indian figures, lakh is 100,000, a crore means 10 million.

Ajanta Caves are one of the best/known tourist attractions in India. If you do not know them, I suggest Ajanta I won`t go into artistic details about the ‘frescos’. Enough is available on the internet.
The frescos in Ajanta are not frescos, but carvings on the facade, not a painting into wet facade. Not interested? The main thing is there about 30 caves cut into rock. In many of them 2nd century BC paintings have been preserved. The 5th century AD paintings are the best-preserved. However, crowds of tourists work hard to damage even those as soon as possible. I do not believe a few ‘white guys’ a day paying 20-times higher entrance fee than the local darker people.[not really darker, just someone Indianish] Vast majority of the Western tourist behave really nicely in the caves, crawling through breathlessly and in amazement.
However, the locals from all ends of the subcontinent conceive a slightly different idea of viewing historical monuments. Especially children. This category includes, according to European standards, all that can walk and does not hold a degree yet. They must form groups as large as possible and it`s absolutely essential to shout [sort of driving away demons]. If an ancient item is touchable, the chance must be taken. Once I thought a hundred blind people arrived at a museum, because every single one of them had to touch all the exemplars[the guard was having his deserved rest somewhere]! The relics were not too old anyway, 11th and 12th centuries…

If there is a way to breal any law, let`s do it! Lawyers will agree with me a law without a sanction is close to useless. So the gurds` couple of “Do not use flash!” and “Do not touch anything!” `s are ignored without problems. I`ve never seen a single person paying a fine. This theory of mine applies to roads as well. And I am beginning to be stronly convinced India is not the most populous democracy in the world, but the biggest anarchy with a grand circus performance every five years [elections].
But I got too far with that. I`d better cut it off, or I`ll get kicked out before I fly away myself.
P.S. I appologise to all Indian people offended by this article. Do not get me wrong, I still love India and her people. But why not nag a bit from time to time:-]
Ajanta pictures: Photogallery: Ajanta