Tibetan Weavings
A little video clip of street photos taken in Dharamshala. And a few warm moments spent with a welcoming elderly Tibetan woman. And in case the video is not visible … Continue reading
Monk’s Cham Dance / Ladakh
Just posting a video of a Cham Dance during Spituk Gustor held in winter. See more photographs of costumes of monks including Pattu Hats, Gyaser brocades and textiles in monasteries … Continue reading
A Place of Darkness – A place of Light
Come with me to this place – so dark that I stumbled a bit as my eyes took a few minutes to adjust. Seeking nothing, I went there during a … Continue reading
Fierce Deities!
A character that is not pleasant or all goody-goody has an appeal that is perhaps stronger! The glimpse of something fiesty, something temperamental, something strong with overtones of bold confidence … Continue reading
Wealth of Ladakh
Photos of photo prints of women wearing traditional jewelry at festivals. The magnificentv Petak headdress has been discussed earlier. But the others have not received enough attention! Here are sone … Continue reading
Mountain Art – Large Ancient Himalayan Buddhas – 4
The Yarma Gombo A set of natural rock formations revered and venerated by Buddhists as the appearance resembles the face of Buddha and other dieties. I would not have known … Continue reading
Mountain Art – Large Ancient Himalayan Buddhas – 3
Seen just outside Mulbeg – An engraving on a mountain face that may have been the starting point of a sculpture. May 2018
Mountain Art – Large Ancient Himalayan Buddhas – 2
The Mulbeg Chamba Mulbeg is a small Buddhist village in Kargil that I’d first heard of while studying Perak headdress types. Never thought U’d visit it someday to see the … Continue reading
Mountain Art – Large Ancient Himalayan Buddhas – 1
Huge Ancient Buddhist Sculptures in the Himalayas
Ancient Cave Paintings in Sasphol
13th Century Sasphol Caves, Ladakh Went up a mountain to see the magnificent Buddhist cave paintings. Worth every huff and puff. The big achievement was the small journey out of … Continue reading
Inspirational People from the Himalayas
When people push themselves beyond the limits of normal human capability, it is always admirable. A few years ago I’d read about the kora or parikrama that Tibetans performed as … Continue reading
What lies within? Copper Manuscript
Found in Odisha, it is said to be a Buddhist Mahayana mansucript in Pali script hand-handhammered into copper plates. Imagine the trouble that went into creating this …. Similar examples … Continue reading
Tales the Phra Malai Thai Manuscripts tell!
It will be years before I will be able to understand all the stories contained in the few Phra Malai manuscripts that I’ve seen! Some are stories from the life … Continue reading
Old Buddhist Painted Parables on Furniture
Parables – simple stories used to illustrate a spiritual lesson – are found in every religion. But this way of painting these stories on furniture is unique. Was it a … Continue reading
Antique Tantric Phurba Carving – Available for Sale
Fourteen little pieces strung together in a necklace. Not an ordinary necklace but one that was used in rituals by tantric priests. Each is a Phurba made of Yak bone … Continue reading
Daily Art Fix – The Heavy Crown of Responsibility
A large yet simple copper crown or Mukut worn by learned Buddhist priests known as Vajracharyas or “Master of the Thunderbolt” during religious ceremonies. The weight of this crown is … Continue reading
Picking a Bone …
Picking a bone …. Not exactly any bone. But a Kapala bone. A bone from the skull of a deceased Buddhist Lamaji. Under the assumption that his wisdom and powers … Continue reading
The Rich Bow to the Poor – Images of Myanmar
The rich bow to the poor as they donate money to the monks in Myanmar. There is no attitude of arrogance or of self-indulgent generosity. They rich bow to the … Continue reading
A Glimpse of Purity at Wat Chalong
This important Buddhist temple in Phuket became far more important when a relic of Gautam Buddha – a bone fragment – was installed in the temple in 2009. On … Continue reading
A Cup of Tea with the Lamaji of Lamayuru Monastery
Imagine a much revered 11th century Gompa (monastery). The drive to Lamayuru takes us through unusual & complex Himalayan landscapes. We arrive tired and saturated with all the beautiful views. … Continue reading
The Arresting Architecture of Chi Lin Nunnery, Kowloon
The photos below suffice to show the serenity reflecting the stillness and peace of mind of its inhabitants. The art in its architecture is complemented by the craft and the … Continue reading