03/19/11

After a couple days, I’ve gotten used to sleeping in late and doing most of my exploration at night. The temple here is only open from moon-rise to moon-set. And it’s closed on the new moon.

The temple is a smallish compared to the others in the city, sandstone with bits of marble. Regal feline statues wearing crowns guard the entrance. A large opening in the roof and an ingenious set of mirrors allow the entire main area to be lit by moonlight. I wonder what they do on a cloudy night.

By the altar, the cat-headed goddess’s statue. Polished ebony, bare-breasted and wearing exquisite golden jewelry. Wreathes of flowers around her neck and laid at her feet.