Losing Our Way

Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day I can hear her breathing. --------------------------------------------------------- Arundhati Roy (Indian author, advocate, activist)

NORTH INDIA: Delhi; Dharamsala; Amritsar; Haridwar; Rishikesh; Agra; Varanasi; Sarnath & Bodhgaya

There are [106] photos in this gallery.

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Just another calm, serene day in the streets of Delhi. We think it was 100 degrees with 99 percent humidity that day! Views[36] Just another calm, serene night in the streets of Delhi! This is Main Bazaar, the area where we stayed our first nights in India. Views[36] Ja mil Majid mosque, the grandest mosque in Delhi. Views[31] Pilgrims of all faiths make their way into the B'hai Lotus Temple in Delhi. Views[33] The Norbulingka Institute in Dharamsala is dedicated to teaching traditional Tibetan art skills to young Tibetan refugees who have crossed the border to escape Chinese oppression. The Dalai Lama seems to smile in approval of keeping the old ways alive in the diaspora. Views[30]
 
Artists at Norbulingka Institute practice the art of creating Buddhist shrine statues. Views[30] At Norbulingka Institute, Ive investigates the process of painting Thangkas -- sacred Tibetan Buddhist iconographic paintings. Views[34] Mi enjoying her recovery from chaotic Kolkata, basking in the peace of the Norbulingka Institute in Dharamsala. Views[48] A Buddhist shrine on the incredible grounds of the Norbulingka Institute in Dharamsala. Views[43]
 
Nuns at Dolma Ling nunnery in Dharamsala debate the finer points of the nature of reality using the traditional Tangelo dines on delicious traditional Tibetan soups -- a bowl of Mothuk (momos, or dumplings, in broth) and a bowl of Thenthunk (handmade pasta in broth). Views[34] Tibetan Buddhist monks make their way to the daily puja (offering) ceremony at Gyutoe Monastery -- although it is of Gelukpa lineage, the monastery provides a home away from Sikkim for His Holiness, the Karmapa -- spiritual leader of the Kagyu lineage. Views[29] Monks at Gyutoe Monastery wrap in a final layer before entering the daily puja (offering) ceremony. Views[28] It seemed like each monk at Gyutoe Monastery exuded a palpable level of joy. Views[34]
 
Street scene in Mcleod Ganj, the neighborhood in Dharamsala that is both a backpacker haven and the home in exile to the Tibetan Government and His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Views[41] In Mcleod Ganj, Lhamo instructs us to make steamed momos -- Tibetan dumplings Views[37] We learned 3 styles of momos -- 1 veggie, 1 spinach/cheese, & 1 sweet Views[25] Mi focuses hard to pinch together a momo. They were delicious! Views[34] A new friend fries up veggie burgers for us on the streets of Amritsar Views[20]
 
The Golden Temple is the holiest site in Sikhism, attracting 40,000 pilgrims/day Views[20] The Golden Temple houses a profound sweetness, fueled by pilgrim devotion Views[19] Some Sikh boys befriended us, toured us around the Temple, and took this photo Views[22] Even by day, the Golden Temple and its holy waters held beautiful energy Views[17] With a history of violent victimization, Sikh guards defend the Golden Temple. Views[19]
 
The pilgrims - a rare combo of devotion and welcome to visitors of all faiths Views[18] The setting sun created an aura reflecting what the Temple already emanates Views[19] A colorfully candy-like Hindu temple in the holy city of Haridwar Views[24] Another of the many styles of Hindu Temples, this one also in Haridwar Views[20] Hindu India -- a land of beautiful Temples, devout ascetics and sacred cows Views[20]
 
We were in Haridwar during an annual pilgramage period -- fascinating people! Views[21] India is also home to the Jain faith -- and their ornately decorated temples Views[17] Making a quick pitstop for deep fried vegetable pakoras Views[18] Each night in Haridwar is marked by a sacred aarti ceremony at the Ganges River Views[17] Sacred fire is an essential element of the aarti ceremony... Views[18]
 
...including offerings to the Ganges of leaf-boats w/ flowers, fire & incense Views[21] The crowds gather each night for the ecstatic bell ringing and chanting of aarti Views[23] When each woman seems to wear hundreds, bangle sales is a good business Views[20] The walk down from a hilltop Hindu shrine is lined by food-stealing monkeys! Views[21] Haridwar held a beautiful combo -- spirituality, but also classic Indian chaos! Views[26]
 
Some of our favorite samosa friers on the streets of Haridwar Views[24] Hindu deity, Shiva, holds court over the aarti on the Ganges in Rishikesh Views[162] Fewer people and sweeter chanting at the Rishikesh aarti compared to Haridwar Views[52] Dusk holds unique magic -- we loved that Hindus celebrate nightly at that time Views[34] Tangelo eats a thali -- a one plate sampling of Indian delights Views[48]
 
Pilgrims, monkeys, beggars...just another day on the bridge in Rishikesh Views[74] With the Ganges and hills, Rishikesh offers more serenity than Haridwar Views[57] A sadhu (wandering Hindu ascetic) selling food to feed his monkey friends along the pilgramage route to Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, an ancient temple dedicated to Shiva. Views[24] Some of the beautiful decor on the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, where two beautiful older couples walked Ive through all of the rituals honoring a sacred tree in the Temple. Views[24] Ive, along with some friends made on the way, celebrates successfully completing the 14km climb to Neelkanth Mahadev Temple high in the hills above Rishikesh. Views[32]
 
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