Counting Passes in the Himalayas
There are hundred of passes or tops in the Himalayas. A small fraction of these have motorable roads built across them. And a smaller fraction of that fraction have been … Continue reading
Let’s Explore Himalayan Art – Antique Wooden Sutra Cover
Sometimes a video just does the job better! Sutra covers are usually highly decorated and very beautiful. Because it is through the creation of art – on walls, in architecture, … Continue reading
Himalayan Art – Crowns of the Buddhist Priests
A decade ago I witnessed the Losar ceremonies over 3 days in Lingdum monastery in Sikkim. Witnessing the head priest leading the group of monks and young novitiates through the … Continue reading
How Many Kilograms is your Head Jewelry?
Hers weighs about 13 kilograms. Yours? Enjoy more photos taken in 2011 in this small gallery of costumes of some groups of Ladakhis. *** jm Dec 24th 2020
Spinning Yarn
Seen in the Himalayas….an activity, a skill, a lifestyle …. People STILL live in this charming way! All through our afternoon conversation in which our minds and voices engaged, their … Continue reading
Goatherding with Gutthu in the Himalayas
Gutthu sat on my lap staring into my eyes. Was there love? Was there bonding? Was this unbroken stream of photons resulting in any emotional bonding from his side? Would … Continue reading
A Himalayan Monk’s Mask for Royal Rituals
The masked dances of Himalayan Buddhist monks are fascinating and since 2011, I’ve watched them on four different occasions in various monasteries (Kalimpong, Matho, Stok, Jokhang-Leh ). The Chamms … Continue reading
Himalayan Glimpses
View from the aircraft flying over the Himalayas. Awakens a thousand desires to go into each of those valleys on foot and knowing I shall never be able to do … Continue reading
The Life of an Old Thangka
Thangkas that were once in active use for worship hung in high places inside monasteries. They are exposed to butter-lamp vapors over decades.The inside of a monastery is filled with … 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
The Astitva Project – Phase III
Just as life happens just one step at a time, it seems to me that in the same way wisdom reveals itself one step at a time. It would … Continue reading
Connections
Cliff overlooking the fork on the Shyok River Valley. On the way to Yarma village that lay beyond the last mountain in the valley on the right. Sometimes there is … Continue reading
Breathtaking Monastery Art
First, the altitude in the Himalayas makes me breathless and then the paintings in the monasteries take my breath away! Each monastery has so much to offer the vision that … Continue reading
Wearing Art – Antique Himalayan Ceremonial Silver Belt
When everything the eye sees is artistic and pleasing, where art is an intrinsic part of every object, there must be undercurrents of joy constantly hitting the people… Maybe THAT … Continue reading
Legacy of a Past Life
This post is not about art or culture… Once upon a time I had a little venture called IQ Club. The idea came from working with my own kids and … Continue reading
Nomadic Weavings of Chanthang
Seen in the Himalayas in the Chanthang desert in Eastern Ladakh. Their living spaces Let’s gp in … To see their home & their weavings (videa to follow later) Volunteers: … 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
An Extraordinary Feat
So at the top of Khardungla pass in a small cafe I saw this other solo traveller. Since two of us were the only ones there I asked about his … Continue reading
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
