Mis kujutluspilt Sinul tekib, kui mõtled ahvidele? Nunnud, särtsakad ja lustakad punase pepuga elukad, kelle toidukraami varastamise pahateod on tüütud, kuid vahvad? Selline oli igastahes minu idee ahvidest aasta-poolteist tagasi. Eks ta nii kipubki olema, kui need vähesed kokkupuuted ahvidega on loomaaias või loodusfilmi kujul.
Indias ja Tais on ahvid aga kohalike jaoks ühed parajad tüütused, kes lähevad oma pahandustega tihtipeale üle piiri, ning ahvigängidega ei taha ka julgeimad ning tugevaimad tänaval teid ristata. See pole küll uudis, kuid ahvide nahaalsus ja võim inimeste üle oli minu jaoks midagi uut! Kel rohkem huvi, siis tasub kindlasti vaadata ülivinget National Geographicu sarja "Monkey Thieves" (Ruudi!), mille tegevus toimub Jaipuris: linnas, kus ma eelmisel aastal 2 kuud elasin ning kuhu ma nüüd tagasi lähen.
Jaipuri lähedal on ka kuulus Galta tempel (Galwar Bagh), mis on rahvasuus ümber ristitud ahvitempliks (Monkey Temple). Kuna see tempel on pühendatud hindu ahvjumal Hanumanile ning päikesejumalale, siis on sealsetes mägedes elavatesse ahvidesse alati väga sõbralikult suhtutud, ning nüüdseks elab templis ca 6 perekonda ehk umbes 300-600 ahvi (igastahes palju!), kes on end väga mugavalt sisse seadnud. Kuna esimesel korral polnud õnne palju ahve näha, siis otsustasin, et sel korral peab paremini minema. Nüüd on see üks mu lemmikkohti Jaipuris ning Indias, kindel must-see!
Indias ja Tais on ahvid aga kohalike jaoks ühed parajad tüütused, kes lähevad oma pahandustega tihtipeale üle piiri, ning ahvigängidega ei taha ka julgeimad ning tugevaimad tänaval teid ristata. See pole küll uudis, kuid ahvide nahaalsus ja võim inimeste üle oli minu jaoks midagi uut! Kel rohkem huvi, siis tasub kindlasti vaadata ülivinget National Geographicu sarja "Monkey Thieves" (Ruudi!), mille tegevus toimub Jaipuris: linnas, kus ma eelmisel aastal 2 kuud elasin ning kuhu ma nüüd tagasi lähen.
Jaipuri lähedal on ka kuulus Galta tempel (Galwar Bagh), mis on rahvasuus ümber ristitud ahvitempliks (Monkey Temple). Kuna see tempel on pühendatud hindu ahvjumal Hanumanile ning päikesejumalale, siis on sealsetes mägedes elavatesse ahvidesse alati väga sõbralikult suhtutud, ning nüüdseks elab templis ca 6 perekonda ehk umbes 300-600 ahvi (igastahes palju!), kes on end väga mugavalt sisse seadnud. Kuna esimesel korral polnud õnne palju ahve näha, siis otsustasin, et sel korral peab paremini minema. Nüüd on see üks mu lemmikkohti Jaipuris ning Indias, kindel must-see!
What mental image you get while thinking about monkeys? Cute, cheeky and cheerful red-bottomed creatures, who are annoying yet awesome while snatching food. Well, it's what I thought a year and a half ago and that's how it tends to be when your exposure to monkeys is at the zoo or through nature movies.
It's no news that monkeys are a nuisance to the locals in India and Thailand, whose monkey business crosses the line at times, but I was surprised to realize, how impudent they actually are and how strong is the fear rule monkey gangs have over humans. If you're more interested definitely check out Monkey Thieves. It's a National Geographic show, which takes place in Jaipur: a city where I lived for 2 months last year and now heading back to.
There's a famous Galta temple (Galwar Bagh) near to Jaipur, which is now being called the Monkey Temple. The temple visitors and staff have been monkey-friendly people since it's dedicated to the Sun God and Hanuman, a monkey god of Hindus. There's about 6 families and 300-600 monkeys (sorry if I'm wrong with the numbers, but anyway, there's a LOT of them) who are living a comfortable and interesting life. I decided I'll have better luck seeing many monkeys this time since it didn't go so well the last time. Now it's one of my favorite places in Jaipur and India. A definite must-visit for anyone coming to Jaipur!
Teel templisse ning selle valdustel on palju erinevaid loomi: paabulinnud (pane tähele emast pildi keskel), oravad, palju linde, erinevad ahviliigid ning kaks looma, kellest Indias "lahti ei saa": lehmad ja hulkuvad koerad. /
There's many animals on the way to the temple and on the premises: wild peacocks (note the female above), squirrels, many birds, different species of monkeys and these two who you just can't avoid in India: cows and stray dogs.
Ahvitempli pärl oli aga maailmakuulsa "ahvimehe" otsa komistamine, kes näitas parajasti oma sõpradele ümbrust. Onkel kasvas üles selles samas templis ning sai kiiresti ahvidega sõbraks. Nüüd teab ta kõike ahve nägupidi, nende nimesid, perekondlikku- ja hierarhilist positsiooni. Ta teab, kuidas neid midagi tegema panna ning kõik ahvid kuulavad tema sõna! Kõlab hulluna? Eip, täitsa tavaline India mees. Ta on aidanud National Geographicut (see sama Monkey Thieves), Discovery Channelit, BBC-d jms nende ahvifilmide valmimisel. Üritasin tema nime Internetist leida, kuid leidsin vaid Monkey Man'iks. Ma ei mäletanud teda küll eelmisest korrast, aga ta tundis isegi minu ära (meenutan nii palju ahvi?) ning ütles, et käisin seal ka aastakese tagasi. Vau, milline mees!
Alguses olin veidi pelglik (khm, päris hirmus oli 15 vallatu ahvi keskel istuda!), kuid harjusin kiirelt. See oli ikka üks ülivinge kogemus! Ma tean ka ta numbrit, kuigi pole 100% kindel, kas ta ka niisama turistidele tuure teeb, kuigi tasub proovida... ;)
The pearl of the Monkey Temple was stumbling upon the world famous 'Monkey Man', who was showing the temple to his friends. The uncle grew up in this temple and quickly befriended with the monkeys. Now he knows all the monkeys by their faces and names, and is able to assess their position in the community. The monkeys listen to him and he knows how to tame them or to make them do something! Seems like a nut-job? No, just a regular Indian man. He has helped National Geographic (the same Monkey Thieves series), Discovery Channel, BBC etc. with their monkey films. I was trying to find his real name from the Internet, but I guess he's just called as a Monkey Man. I couldn't remember him from the last time, but he even recognized me! Gosh, do I resemble monkeys that much? He told me as I visited that place more than a year ago which is true. What a Man!
I was a bit timid at first (it's a bit scary to sit in the middle of 15 cheeky monkeys!), but adjusted quickly. It was such a great experience! I also know his number, though I'm not 100% sure if he's giving regular tours to tourists, but you can still try! ;)
Alguses olin veidi pelglik (khm, päris hirmus oli 15 vallatu ahvi keskel istuda!), kuid harjusin kiirelt. See oli ikka üks ülivinge kogemus! Ma tean ka ta numbrit, kuigi pole 100% kindel, kas ta ka niisama turistidele tuure teeb, kuigi tasub proovida... ;)
The pearl of the Monkey Temple was stumbling upon the world famous 'Monkey Man', who was showing the temple to his friends. The uncle grew up in this temple and quickly befriended with the monkeys. Now he knows all the monkeys by their faces and names, and is able to assess their position in the community. The monkeys listen to him and he knows how to tame them or to make them do something! Seems like a nut-job? No, just a regular Indian man. He has helped National Geographic (the same Monkey Thieves series), Discovery Channel, BBC etc. with their monkey films. I was trying to find his real name from the Internet, but I guess he's just called as a Monkey Man. I couldn't remember him from the last time, but he even recognized me! Gosh, do I resemble monkeys that much? He told me as I visited that place more than a year ago which is true. What a Man!
I was a bit timid at first (it's a bit scary to sit in the middle of 15 cheeky monkeys!), but adjusted quickly. It was such a great experience! I also know his number, though I'm not 100% sure if he's giving regular tours to tourists, but you can still try! ;)