My pictures with their little stories

These kids are in a different world While everyone else is engrossed in the folk dances and other festivities at this village festival in Ura valley, these kids are engrossed in a different world altogether. (Ura valley, Bhutan , 2015)

View from inside a monastery, Bhutan From darkness to colour, that is how the view was from the upper floor at this monastery in Bhutan . It was around noon when I ventured upto the upper floor which was dark and deserted. When I came to the edge, it was all colourful right in front. May be very symbolic. (Bhutan, 2015)

At Tabo monastery, Spiti Being an ancient and important Buddhist monastery, I expected Tabo to have grandeur befitting its status. It turned out that the monastery was unpretentious. There was a serene and mystical beauty in the simplicity at Tabo. (Tabo monastery, Spiti, 2011)

Tabo monastery entrance The feeling is of sheer awe when you are entering a structure which was established more than a thousand years ago and is in continuous operation. Visiting ruins dating back to few thousand years is one thing but entering Tabo monastery established in 996 was a different feeling altogether. Tabo is the oldest continuously operating Buddhist monastery in both India and the Himalayas . ( Spiti , 2013)

Kids playing as younger monks watch, Gangtey, Bhutan The monks were out of the monastery at Gangtey ( Phobjikha Valley ) for an evening stroll in the village.  The younger lot watched these kids engage in a friendly fight. (Gangtey, Bhutan , 2015) 

Enjoying the meal at the monastery after the festivities, Bhutan  Everyone who attended the festivities was welcome to partake the meals which were lovingly cooked by the village folk. They were keen that everyone including visitors like us joined in for the meal with some local arak (ara). No wonder Bhutan is seen as such a tourist friendly country. (Bhutan, 2015)

The artistes step out in the monastery grounds for a dance performance After the elaborate dressing up and putting on the fierce looking masks, the artistes step out from the crowded changing room into the monastery ground for a spectacular dance performance to the cheer of waiting crowds which has people from near and far. This ritual will be a colourful extravaganza with a slow beat typical of monastery dances. The young lad on the left announces the arrival of the troupe by beating the metal disc in his hand. (Bhutan, 2015)

Buddhist monks at a monastery, Bhutan The red robes of the young monks in this Buddhist monastery in Bhutan created a stunning contrast against the backdrop of predominantly white majestic walls and steps.  Another sharp contrast was the age - the monastery which is few hundred years old providing a solid foundation to the young energetic monks who are still learning. Interesting to note this contrast operating at two different planes.

At the upper level of the monastery, photo by Milind Sathe As I climbed up to the upper level of the monastery to take few pictures from above, came across this motley group which included western travellers, seekers of spiritual experience, two local young beauties and two bubbly kids. All these characters made a perfect setting for a lively shot with so many little stories in one single frame.

View from above - Dancers at the monastery festival in Bhutan While the local dancers wore spectacularly colourful attires, the wet surface of the floor below prompted me to climb up and take few pictures from above. The pattern of the stone floor which did not have any symmetry looked very inviting after a shower in the morning that day. While the downpour stopped, the clouds were still hovering and this lent a sense of special air to the festive mood already prevalent.

Oil lamps in a monastery, Bhutan Let there be light - near us and afar - to illuminate and guide. These oil lamps in monasteries in Bhutan was a sight which was profound to say the least. Even a confirmed atheist would turn pious in these surroundings. 

Village elders watch festivities at Ura Yakchoe near Bhumthang, Bhutan These village elders had a special enclosure for them and sat patiently watching all the dances at the monastery. They have obviously seen years pass by so few hours did not matter.

Prayer wheel at Dhangkar monastery, Spiti Prayer wheels at monasteries is a fascinating sight. Usually there is line of prayer wheels and the visitors make it a point to touch each and every wheel. This prayer wheel at Dhangkar monastery in Spiti looked as old as the monastery itself and it was a different feeling to touch the prayer wheel as well as the wall around. It had a deep cold feel to it almost as if connecting with its ancient past.

Coffee at Taktsang Cafetaria, Tiger's Nest, Paro This cafeteria which is around halfway mark of the not so easy climb to Taktsang Goempa near Paro offers a great view of the famous monastery high up in the mountain. Coffee break here  was absolutely necessary. Had  a great time here doing some sketching with hot coffee and thin cream cracker biscuits.

Monks returning from an evening stroll to Gangtey Gonpa, Bhutan Gangtey Gonpa is an important monastery in the scenic Phobjikha valley . It is a small village with one street lined up with several shops. The monastery here is historically important and houses several monks. Our walk around the village coincided with the evening stroll of the monks from the monastery.

Save Dhangkar campaign poster at Dhangkar monastery Save Dhangkar is an initiative of concerned citizens which includes architects, photographers, geologists and others who through their collective efforts have done remarkable work in ensuring that this 1000+ year old monastery in Spiti does not wither away due to toll of the natural forces and human intervention.

On top of Dhangkar monastery, Spiti While the experience of feeling the 1000 year tradition of worship and meditation inside Dhangkar monastery was humbling,  the nature opened up the vision when we went atop the monastery. The quiet of the mountains and snow coexisted with the sound of the wind.