Below are ten moments that I captured on my lens during my visit to India.
ONE
This
is a very common practice in Tibetan Settlements in South India. You
will also see it in Delhi's Majnu-Ka-Tilla. These water-filled bottles
(or plastic bags) are hanged in the Patio (Verandah) to get rid of flies
and other small flying bugs. Not sure about its effect but it surely
rules the minds of Tibetans in exile.
TWO
Myth
or Fact: This stupa at camp 4 Bylakuppe is widely believed to be the
Wish-Fulfilling-Stupa if you circumambulate 11,111 times. People from
all corners come here to find cure for their ailing health, to seek
approval for their visa application request, or to earn karma for the next
birth.
THREE
Buddhist devotees believe in the power of money. They don't even spare the religious idols by tugging money into their robes.
You will also see many devotees feeding money into the hands and feet of Buddhist idols.
FOUR
Not
sure if she is feeling hot or cold in this hot summer of Leh, Ladakh.
When I asked my parents the same, Dad responded, "this ra-pag (skin of
goat) could be used as a cushion during the Kalachakra teachings and mattress during the night time". Ummm... Makes sense?
FIVE
In
this beautiful birth place of Guru Padmasambhava, devotees feed
hundreds of unharmed fish to earn good Karma. This is the place called
Tso-Pema (in Tibetan) and Riwalsar (in Hindi).
However,
during my visit at the end of July 2014, I saw a plenty of dead fish
floating every morning on the lake. Devotees were refrained from
feeding for the next few days. I was perplexed at these number of dead
fishes.
After
hearing from several people, there were two prevailing theories behind
the death of the fish. The first one is not supported by the local
Indians: That these deaths were caused by chemicals from the nearby Zoo
which were washed down into the lake by the monsoon rains.
The second one is widely supported by the local Indians: That a Tibetan man came with several bags of Soybean (Sha-Zuma in Tibetan) and fed the fish - leading to their death (Picture below).
Not sure which theory is true.
But
I definitely felt that the Act of Giving should be reasonable, sensible,
and respectable. If the local Indians are to be believed, this Tibetan
man might have thought of earning a plenty of good Karmas by feeding
too many Soybean. However, the end result is what you see here in these
pictures.
An act of kindness has resulted in hundreds of deaths.
SIX
At the cave on the top of Tso-Pema, there were two large boards that says, "Please don't throw scarf on statue. Don't write anything on wall".
But
as you see there are names everywhere on the wall. Are names really
important to disobey the words of Cave caretakers? Does writing names
really make you more blessed than others? Why? Why? Why?
Now on to some lighter MOMENTS...
SEVEN
This is an ancient prayer wheel made from the skin of goat/sheep.
EIGHT
In
India, there are hardly any wastes. Everything is put into use: Empty
glass bottles are broken down into pieces to secure the boundary walls
(picture below); empty plastic bottles are reused as water bottles; food
wastes are fed to dogs, cows, and the remaining into a dump hole that
generates fertilizer for crops; clothes are patched again and again
until it is totally worn out; and if you live in India, I am sure you have more to add...
NINE
There is no short of creative people in India. However, there is a lack of
respect for creative people in India. The picture below is a Prayer
Wheel that rotates clockwise with the help of fans created by used
plastic bottle. This is designed and created by a hermit living on the hills of Tso-Pema.
This
is a hand-held prayer wheel with wings attached to it. Since its hot
in South India, this attached wing acts as a fan whenever he spins the
prayer wheel. This is designed and created by an 80 year old who lives
in Elder's Home.
TEN
Finally,
a moment to cherish. In India, the culture of respect for elders is
always the Highest. You will see grand children supporting their grand
parents at every corners of the country. Grand parents are not yet replaced
by Google as it is in the most developed countries. Grand children ask
their grand parents seeking answers on all of their questions.
The one reason behind the increasing visibility of grand children-grand parent relationship
could be the mobility of younger generations. Many educated young
parent move to big cities or western world seeking a better future -
leaving their children with their Dad or Mom.
This article is based on few people and 80% is false !
ReplyDelete