A Textile Lover’s Dream
7am As I struggled to walk barefoot at 15 degrees Centigrade on even colder marble floors – suddenly I see this vision: An unopened pile of textiles …who knows what … Continue reading
Blessing Containers in Silver
How many people have others praying for them? Am certain that I have fewer today than I had 50 years ago. And so as these blessings become rarer, I value … Continue reading
The City of Benaras
“Yeh Benaras Hai” Literally it means “This is Banaras” but the tone included pride and an assurance – a way of saying “Don’t worry – it’s okay – this is … Continue reading
Side Effects of Religion
With the world slowly going crazy and the use of religion as a platform to justify it all, it is natural that there are discussions everywhere on this provocative subject. … Continue reading
Mrityor Ma Amritam Gamaya – Immortal Mr. Lee Kuan Yew
asato ma sat gamaya tamaso ma jyotir gamaya mrityorma amritam gamaya In the moment of untruth let me see the truth In the moment of darkness let me see light, … Continue reading
Antique Prayer Rugs
On the occasion of Ramzan Id, a day on which I have enjoyed Biryani and Sewaiyan from the homes of my neighbours and friends growing up in Mumbai – a … Continue reading
Praying in a Hong Kong Temple
A shore excursion took me to this famous Buddhist Temple in Hong Kong. Since I live in Singapore, my attitude was one of ‘been-there-done-that’. The building the architecture, the nestling … Continue reading
The Stylish Priests at Jagannath Temple
Who said that men’s fashion has to be bland and boring? Jagannath temple in Puri is one of the 4 important pilgrimage spots for any Hindu. The temple is old … Continue reading
A chance encounter with a Shaman Priest during a sacrifice ritual
Rural Arunachal Pradesh, Dec 2011 This was an encounter that took me by surprise and swept me off my feet! When I think back, it is difficult to imagine the … Continue reading
Chanting ceremony at Kagyud Monastery, Lingdum, Sikkim
The Kagyud Monastery was the best experience of my Sikkim trip. This is the monastery that I will return to someday. On the first visit, 2 days prior to Losar, … Continue reading
Losar Celebrations – Bonfire at Kagyud Monastery, Sikkim
The Kagyud Monastery was the best experience of my Sikkim trip. This is the monastery that I will return to someday. On my second visit, the day just before Losar, … Continue reading
Street Shrines of India
The Gods are everywhere – literally. In busy Bombay, in parts where its working class real people live, almost every street has a wayside shrine. A holy tree or an … Continue reading
