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Every year, thousands make a pilgrimage to Kailash, following a tradition going back thousands of years. Pilgrims of several religions believe that circumambulating Mount Kailash on foot is a holy ritual that will bring good fortune. The peregrination is made in a clockwise direction by Hindus and Buddhists while Jains and Bönpos circumambulate the mountain in a counterclockwise direction.
The path around Mount Kailash is 52 km (32 mi) long. Some pilgrims believe that the entire walk around Kailash should be made in a single day, which is not considered an easy task. A person in good shape walking fast would take perhaps 15 hours to complete the entire trek.
Some of the devout do accomplish this feat, little daunted by the uneven terrain, altitude sickness and harsh conditions faced in the process. Indeed, other pilgrims venture a much more demanding regimen, performing body-length prostrations over the entire length of the circumambulation: The pilgrim bends down, kneels, prostrates full-length, makes a mark with his fingers, rises to his knees, prays, and then crawls forward on hands and knees to the mark made by his/her fingers before repeating the process. It requires at least four weeks of physical endurance to perform the circumambulation while following this regimen.
I cannot resist a black and white conversation, so here is yesterday's image converted to monochrome.
A Tibetan pilgrim during the Losar festival (Tibetan New Year) on the way to one of the many monasteries which there are a lot. It is the Eastern Tibetan area of the Sertha Golok nomads close to township Aba. In this area around Aba are more than 40 monasteries with different branches so each can find his direction in belief and stay for some ceremonies. This man walks in the early morning when the sun penetrates the haze of a new day. Leica M6, Summicron - M 2,0/50mm, Fuji Neopan 400, dev. with ID-11, del. 1:1, scanned with Nikon Supercoolscan 8000ED.
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The Buddhist stupa of Boudhanath is one of the largest in the world. Since 1979, Boudhanath is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it is one of the most popular tourist sites in Kathmandu.
La estupa budista de Boudhanath es una de las más grandes del mundo. Desde 1979 es patrimonio de la humanidad por la UNESCO y es uno de los sitios turísticos más populares en Katmandú.
A narrow shopping street festooned with prayer flags, with local shoppers in traditional attire and street dogs, Leh, Ladakh.
09/02/2018 www.allenfotowild.com
I found this peaceful spot in a private park in the area. It's quite large and unfortunately I didn't have much time, so I'll have to return there soon. There's so much to explore if you live somewhere new!
And as we were leaving, few clouds started wrapping up the mountain, adding a magical end to our adventures in the tallest mountain in the world.
The Indus River is one of the longest rivers in Asia and in Ladakh the major roadways follow the Indus River valley. Yet, despite its length, it is crossed by relatively few bridges, mostly one lane steel truss bridges. One of the major crossings is the Chuckhot Rd bridge in Leh, seen here. Each of the few bridges we crossed in Ladakh was festooned with prayer flags and in this image they cast shadows across the road bed.
26/02/2019 www.allenfotowild.com
Gurudongmar Lake, is one of the highest lakes (glacial) in the world and the second highest lake in India , located at an altitude of 17,800 ft (5,430 m) in the Indian state of Sikkim. It is a lake which is considered sacred by both Buddhists and Hindus.
For Macro Mondays Group
Subject: In A Line
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These are Buddhist prayer flags that are strung across my bookshelf. Each flag presents a symbol and one word of the Sanskrit mantra 'Om mani padme hum'.
Tibetan Buddhists believe that saying the mantra (prayer), Om Mani Padme Hum, out loud or silently to oneself, invokes the embodiment of compassion. Viewing the written form of the mantra is said to have the same effect -- it is often carved into stones and placed where people can see them.
Spent a week in magical Ladakh, India. It was a truly eye-opening experience for me. Beautiful landscape with mountain-top monasteries. Beautiful people who are made stonger by the harsh environment.
i am greeted by one of the most amazing sights i have ever set my sights on.. standing at 1 vintage point looking at prayer flags stretching from my point all the way to the temple is simply just amazing.. Blue sky, colourful flags, fantastic light!
Taken at Namgyal Tsemo Gompa, Ladakh, India
About 2 miles down the West Rim trail there are these flags and small labrynth. It's a great spot for turning around and heading back...at least for me.
A Nepalese couple arrives on the Mardi Himal View Point at 4200 meters after an ardous 4-day trek just on time for their 30-year wedding anniversary.
Planning the next trip back here ~ but this time to tell the stories of how Ladakh is coping with glacial retreat, and the imminent loss of the major water supply.
Worship ( reprocessed).
There's a place I have found where mortal words have no meaning.
There's a desert I have seen where just a glance unfolds the secrets of this life. And all that went before it.
There's a mountain I have climbed which is a shining pathway to that distant fiery orb. And all its light and heat merge into the passion in your eyes.
There's a river I have crossed whose ancient rhythm sways into dreams that last forever. And every Awakening is the beginning of another dream.
There's a temple in a faraway land in which the gods are not seen. Nor heard. And I have worshipped the thought of you.
License this image at: www.gettyimages.com/detail/photo/paro-taktshang-monastery...
Perched on a cliff-top, Bhutan's Taktsang monastery, also known as the Tiger's Nest, is one of the most breathtaking temples in the world.
The Buddhist place of worship is built on a rock around 3,000m (10,000ft) above sea level.
The main temple complex was built in 1692 and is considered to be one of the holiest for the Bhutanese people.
Das Drehen der Gebetsmühlen dient nach buddhistischer Überzeugung dazu, gutes Karma anzuhäufen. Eine einfache Motivation dieser Praxis ist es, bei der Drehung der Gebetsmühle den Wunsch zu hegen, dass alle in der Walze befindlichen Mantras durch die Drehung zum Wohle der fühlenden Wesen wirken, deren Leid beseitigen und ihnen Glück bringen.
The Chang La is a high mountain pass in Ladakh, India. It is claimed to be the second highest motor-able road in the world.
Located above 5000m, encircled by snow-capped mountains and crystal clear icy water, it is considered as a very holy lake and provides breathtaking view. The lake is one of the sources of River Teesta, which flows through Sikkim, West Bengal and Bangladesh, to finally merge with the Bay of Bengal.
For Macro Mondays - Bokeh
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In Tibet, these prayer flags are called Lung-ta or Windhorse, named for the traditional character who carries the prayers to the universe. The five flag colors represent the five elements: Blue - earth, White - water, Red - fire, Saffron - infinite space and Green - wind.
Each prayer flag is 2.5" x 2.5". HMM, everyone ! !
The day after we arrived in Bhutan was an acclimatisation day in preparation for our trek to Jomolhari Base Camp. We actually needed more than one day.
We drove up to this pass which is just under 4000m, the highest road in Bhutan, and spent about an hour walking around.
From here we had a good view of Jomolhari mountain.
Karo La Glacier is a beautiful glacier perched between Ngarzhag County of Shannan and Gyantse County of Shigatse. Within only 300 meters from the highway which connects Lhasa and Gyantse. Karola Glacier is thought to be the lowest glacier in the central Tibet. The front “Ice tongue” is about 5,560 meters above sea level.
our Sundaymorning Walk passing "Trotte" Arlesheim with its exhibitions. Today presenting these prayer flags doubling with shadows.
Boudhanath Stupa in Kathmandu, Nepal holds deep historical and cultural significance. It is believed to have been built in the 14th century and is one of the largest stupas in the world. It has been a place of pilgrimage and worship for centuries, attracting devotees and seekers of truth from various Buddhist traditions. The Stupa is a whitewashed dome and a symbol of purity and enlightenment in Buddhist culture. It is adorned with vibrant prayer flags, which flutter in the wind, carrying prayers and good wishes to the heavens. The people in the photograph are engaged in a practice known as circumambulation. This is a meditative act of walking in a circular path around the stupa's base. The locals and tourists alike join this procession, spinning prayer wheels, chanting mantras, and offering prayers for peace, enlightenment, and well-being. The towering structure beside the stupa is crowned with a gilded tower, resplendent with intricate designs. This tower is known as the harmika and represents the elevated state of consciousness that one can attain through spiritual practice. The all-seeing eyes painted on the tower symbolize the wisdom and compassion of the Buddha, watching over all beings and guiding them towards enlightenment – Boudhanath Stupa, Kathmandu, Nepal