We left our shoes and socks at the gatehouse and walked past stalls selling garlands of fresh flowers -- bright orange marigolds and red and yellow flowers that looked like chrysanthemums. The temple was busy, but it wasn't as crowded as I feared it might be. Covering an area greater than fourteen acres, it can comfortably hold thousands of people, as well as at least one elephant.

There was so much activity going on that it took me a moment to realize I was face to face with a live elephant. She had white spirals and floral ... (more)