Journeying high into the Himalayas is a dream for many in search of spiritual fulfillment. Since year 2000, year after year, this has taken me to the abode of the snows, hopping from one holy place to another - spending just enough time to place your toileteries out only to pack them up again next.
In year 2008 I spent my time there with a difference. For once I did not back pack. I went with a roller suitcase. I spent my 3 months in India at a peaceful respite where the teeming life of the city lies just on the horizon of a half hour bus ride away. The routine for the 3 months was waking up at 7.00am each morning and going to bed sometimes as early as 7.30pm. There was no television, no newspapers, infrequent sms and calls from family members and friends back home.
Our only interaction was with those who stayed there and the villagers of that place. On occasional weekends we made fleeting trips to nearby holy places of Rishikesh, Haridwar and Clement Town. Just for a "look-see" of the talked about Sahastradhara - meaning a Thousand Drops -(the suburb that I stayed in), we took a 10-15 mintues bus ride to spend an easy lazy afternoon there.
My days of pilgrimage hopping is over. Now it's all about soaking in the culture and life of the places we visit and the people we meet.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXRk2Kmcg4Q (Howling Thunderstorm in India)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9py5TCXotu0 (Hand Turned Ferris Wheel)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hl_YbReKiY0 (Sahastradhara Water Droplets)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmmL2490bnw (Noodle Making By Tibetan Folks)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cws02iBqra4 (Haridwar - people bathing in the Ganges)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eagMeWL64s (Ladakhi New Year in India)
No, this dog is not for sale!!!! Only the jeans and shoes are
Last day of student life
Snow-capped Sahastradhra mountains just behind where I stayed
My home for 3 months
Guard House
Where monks gather in the evenings to catch up
Awaiting the gas man at the Tibetan Colony
Pumping water from the ground
Post Box
Haridwar
Haridwar
By the roadside - where they call Home
Home
Clement Town - another Tibetan Settlement
Clement Town
Our dining hall
My pantry
My kitchen
Holiness' residence
Lessons
Sahastradhara
Sahastradhara - sulphur water
Our tibetan friends
Tibetan home
Ladakhi New Year with Holiness
Holiness cutting cake
Rishikesh
Rishikesh
The break of morn
My sitting room
Village children carrying water for their daily use 
Audience with Holiness
2 comments:
Wow, thanks for sharing these photos of your experience in India with us. Everything looks so serene.
hi salameander, that's where my heart is - india. it is such a poor country but so very rich in essence.
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