Mahashivrati at The Kashi Vishwanath Temple
Devout Hindus say that going to the Kashi Vishwanath temple happens when you are called. They say that it is one of the holiest places a Hindu could visit as … 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
A Visit to Phyang Monastery
Sat still within the ancient halls with only a young monk in attendance. Time passed unmarked by minutes and seconds. What do these matter when the walls have seen centuries! … 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
Painted Map of Benaras – Indian Art
A pilgrim’s map of Benaras with the Kashi Vishwanath temple at the centre. Seen in the Victoria & Albert Museum, London Feb 2018 jaina mishra| wovensouls View more Exquisite Antique … 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
Life in the Years / Years in the Life
“It’s not the years in the life that matter – it is the life in the years that count”
Astrological Calendars – 8 – Tibetan Calendar
The Tibetan calendar begins at Losar and has either 12 or 13 months each beginning and ending with the new moon. Every two or three years a 13th month is … Continue reading
A Yao Ceremonial Mask
On a trip in 2009, I got this Yao mask from back of the bottom drawer of a store owned by an elderly couple. The beautiful woman and I shared … Continue reading
Ancient Christian Art at The Met
Just photos of some amazing artworks created a few centuries ago … From the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
Art of the Universe – Yao Shaman Robes
Yao painting scrolls, Yao dragon bridges and now Yao Shaman robes! The Yao group has created several forms of art while pursuing their spiritual goals! Led by priests called Shamans, … 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
The Holy River Ganga
A few sunrise photos captured on the phone camera of the important Ganga whose significance to Hindus is as deep as its waters. This may seem obvious – but … Continue reading
Benaras Ganga Diaries
An unplanned visit to the Ganga came my way. For spiritual reasons. For filial piety reasons. For ceremonies that complete the cycle of life & death. Measured in the number … 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
Across the Universe – A Bridge to the Other World
Each of us has wondered at some time or another about what happens when we die. Too many questions that have no answers. And then along come the religious bosses … Continue reading
A Temple Lies Locked
Many temples are run by trusts. Trusts that are made up of people. Sometimes people disagree. And fight. And over time, with the addition of ego and the passage of … Continue reading
In Search of Heaven
In every village, in every town in Goa I drive through there’s either a temple or a church/chapel just around the corner. Goa probably has the highest per-capita or per-acre … Continue reading
Art in Jain Cosmology – Painting of Loknar or Lok Purush
Every religion has its own set of beliefs but few have their beliefs manifested prolifically in art forms as Jainism (& Buddhism). Conveying the philosophy is paintings and drawings on … Continue reading
The Magnificent 11th Century Lamayuru Monastery – A photoessay
The Monastery Student Monks doing their laundry. And finally an invitation to lunch of Rajam & Rice with the student monks! Food for the Soul, Food for the … Continue reading
