INDIA is a vast South Asian country with diverse terrain, reaching from the Himalayan peaks to the Indian Ocean coastline. It history reaches back five millennia.
I have traveled, extensively, in India since 1988, and return almost every year with my daughter, Cary, to visit the seat of the Tibetan government-in-exile in Dharamsala, and the TCV (Tibetan Children’s Village) school in Suja. I have gone from the northernmost area in Ladakh (and the disputed Kashmir) down the coast to Rishikesh, Gokarna, Udipi, and the most holy cities on the Ganges, beginning with Varanasi. In recent years I spent time in the south, exploring Ft. Cochin and beautiful tropical Kerala, making my way north to Hampi, the Bandhavgarth Tiger Reserve, and the amazing Ellora and Ajanta caves carved out of the hillside. From now on, however, I think I’ll stick to the north. The south is just too hot for me!
Click HERE for blog posts of my travels in India.
Click on a photo to start the slideshow.
The Taj Maha, Agra
The ghats in Varanasi
Statue of Guru Rinpoche in Tso Pema (Rewalsar)
One of many tapestries in every temple
Prayer flags on the bank of the sacred lake, Tso Pema
Temple by the lake
Dharamsala, India, from the Dalai Lama’s temple. the Namgyal
Inside the temple
Mine were…last year!!
Lighting candles for loved ones
Inner courtyard
Every town needs a trash can!
A typical truck in India
Just before the Udupi celebration honoring Shiva
First the elephant starts things going
Then the celebration continues with music and fireworks
A side street in Gokarna, a beautiful pilgrimage town on the west coast. Plenty of plastic for the animals….
A restful morning on the beach in Gokarna
Just another pretty face!
Who owns the street?
Ladies washing clothes and dishes in town, Gokarna
Shopping in town
And the markets on the beach are loaded with cauliflower!
Gokarna is full of pilgrims. They don’t swim…they paddle
I’m waiting!
Sunset at the beach in Gokarna
Ancient rocks and temples in Hampi
Gullvi, just give me the banana!
What about me?
The intricate carvings are different on each pillar
Dusk in Hampi….Mountains of rocks everywhere
Stopover in Puna. Is he calling a cab?
Hey, get out of the way!!
And we saw tigers!
Backstreets of Ft. Cochin
Time to go home from school in Ft. Cochin
Trip down the river in Ft. Cochin
Prayer wheel at the TCV (Tibetan Children’s Village) School, Suja
Model of the Potala Palace in Llasa made by students
Laundry day at one of the dorms
One of many dorms
Ready for school
Classes out…..
Taking supplies to the kitchen
Everyone shares in the work
Typical classroom
Paragliding in Bir, near TCV school
