Swayambhunath a sacred power site, rises up from the floor of the Kathmandu Valley. According to a legend, Swayambhunath, the “Self-Created, ”rose from the middle of the lake that filled the valley before man. A crystal in the form of a light emanated “a ten thousand petalled lotus of gold adorned with diamonds, pearls, and rubies with a glittering stalk of lapis lazuli. Buddhist Bodhisattva Manjushri drained the lake by slicing outlets in the valley, and the Bodhisattva Vajrasattva “concealed the jeweled crystal light Swayambhu beneath a slab of stone.” Kathmandu, Nepal

2007, Santa Fe, New Mexico, www:VerveFineArts.com Native Graces. A retrospective photographic exhibition 40 pigment prints.

On 100% archival Mueso silver rag paper. Printed at Santa Fe Editions, Santa Fe, New Mexico/ Gary Mankus.
14X20 inch image size on 17X22 inch paper size
20X30 inch image size on 24X 36 inch paper size

Or, on Kodak professional matt paper with 100 year archival quality made on Noritsu LPS 24 pro Japanese Kodak printer in Kathmandu, Nepal
16X20 inch paper size
20X30 inch paper size

(Shipping of the prints are done in a PVC tube)

Please contact tkelly@photo.wlink.com.np for Price inquiry and further information.

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Thomas Kelly > Swayambhunath a sacred power site, rises up from the floor
of the Kathmandu Valley. According to a legend, Swayambhunath,
the “Self-Created, ”rose from the middle of the lake that filled the
valley before man. A crystal in the form of a light emanated “a ten
thousand petalled lotus of gold adorned with diamonds, pearls, and
rubies with a glittering stalk of lapis lazuli. Buddhist Bodhisattva
Manjushri drained the lake by slicing outlets in the valley, and the
Bodhisattva Vajrasattva “concealed the jeweled crystal light
Swayambhu beneath a slab of stone.”

Kathmandu, Nepal

Thomas Kelly > Despite the chilly winter morning Buddhist pilgrims prostrate themselves before stone Buddha statues at the base of Swayambhunath hill.
Kathmandu, Nepal.

Thomas Kelly > On Magh Sakranti (during January-February) the sun changes its course and begins to “move” towards the northern hemisphere. Despite the penetrating cold, this day is deemed most beneficial for ritual bathing. Many men and women gather along the banks of the sacred Bagmati River, notably in Patan’s Sankhamole area, to bathe and launch leaf-plate offerings of burning butter wicks praising their gods and petitioning blessings.

Patan, Nepal

Thomas Kelly > Every 12 years in the Kathmandu Valley, Dipankara Buddhas are
lined up to be worshipped and fed. The Dipankara Buddhas foretold
the coming of Gautama Buddha.

Kathmandu, Nepal

Thomas Kelly > Rato Machhendranath is the chief deity for all Newar Jyapus in the
Kathmandu valley. During the summer months when the deity is pulled
around in a wooden chariot, devotees offer prayer and burning oil lamps.
In some places, an individual representing the area lies down with oil
filled burning lamps over his body to gain merit for his locality. To this day,
Machhendranath is revered as the compassionate one and is propitiated
to bring the monsoon rains.

Patan, Nepal

Thomas Kelly > Women of the Tamang ethnic group carry loads of stones in Nagarkot,
central Nepal. Across the Himalayas, women perform much of the field
work and manual labor with a quiet, even cheerful grace. Lack of
infrastructure and education means that hill villagers have few other
ways to earn a living. Unfortunately, many of the young Tamang girls
are sold by their families into prostitution to supplement their meager
income and sadly for these girls, the road is a dead end ally.

Nagarkot, Nepal

Thomas Kelly > Former devadasis ‘handmaidens of the Goddess’ are now organized
and rebelling against he devadasi system. Volunteers from the activist
organization Myrada cuts the ritual dreadlocks of a devadasi child.
When the dreadlocks are cut, it believed that the power of the goddess is
broken.

Saundatti, Karnataka, India.

Thomas Kelly > Drenched in yellow turmic powder, with images of goddess Yellama balanced on their heads, devadasis ‘handmaidens of the Goddess’ in trance weave through the crowds at the Yellama festival. The followers of Yellama come from the lowest tier of a poor agricultural society-low caste, bonded labourers who will till the soil for their landlords. A devadasi does not require a dowry, which sends so many of the poor even deeper into debt. Many impoverished parents are paid by wealthy patrons may receive a boon from the deity. Since marriageto Yellama ritually
turns a daughter into a groom and a son, poorparents without sons dedicate their daughter in the hopes that she will provide for them in their old age.

Saundatti, Karnataka, India.

Thomas Kelly > Nepali sex workers and a madam wait for clients in front of the
legendary ‘cages’ on Falkland Road, in Mumbai’s working-class
brothel district. It is the destination of many trafficked children and
women. Contrary to the myth of Nepali girls being coveted for their
grace and beauty, they are imported to India because they are cheap.

Falkland Road, Mumbai.

Swayambhunath a sacred power site, rises up from the floor
of the Kathmandu Valley. According to a legend, Swayambhunath,
the “Self-Created, ”rose from the middle of the lake that filled the
valley before man. A crystal in the form of a light emanated “a ten
thousand petalled lotus of gold adorned with diamonds, pearls, and
rubies with a glittering stalk of lapis lazuli. Buddhist Bodhisattva
Manjushri drained the lake by slicing outlets in the valley, and the
Bodhisattva Vajrasattva “concealed the jeweled crystal light
Swayambhu beneath a slab of stone.”

Kathmandu, Nepal