Photo Essay: Pillow Covers from Madurai

Tell any India aficionado that you have been to Madurai, and the conversation will quickly turn to the amazing Meenakshi Temple complex. It is a southern Indian contemporary of the Taj Mahal, with towers over 160 feet tall completely covered with intricate, brightly-painted figurines. But when the topic is raised, I always smile, nod, and move the conversation along. I have never been willing to confess (until now) that while in Madurai I never actually went to the temple; I bought pillow covers instead. A local guide with an effective “seen one temple, seen them all” spiel substituted a brief view from a nearby rooftop for an in-depth temple visit. After a few quick photos, we wound back down through the inevitable store below with the usual assurance of “no pressure to buy”. Dismissing offers of carpets, saris, and statues, we finally succumbed to purchasing two pillow covers. Now propped on the coach back home, they are a constant reminder of unfinished business in Madurai and encourage a proximate return.