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Newar devotees circumambulate Kathmandu’s Seto Machhendranath temple. The cult of this idol is one of the oldest and most revered in the valley’s religion. The god is identified by the local Buddhist as Avalokitesvara, the Bodhisattava of compassion, and by Hindus as Yamaraja, lord of death. Hindus come to light a candle before the idol when someone in the family is in danger of death. The idol receives a ritual bathing each winter before making its public appearance riding in a rath, or chariot, several weeks later. Kathmandu, Nepal.
At the heart of Zanskaris culture is Tibetan Buddhism, though local superstitions have been added to the traditional canon of beliefs. Zanskar, India.
Ladakh has many historic monasteries called Gompas, where Buddhist monks and nuns live, study and practice their religion. The monasteries of Ladakh are situated in scenic locations, on hills and mountains and have rich collections of Buddhist Thangka paintings, art and artifacts. Many of the monasteries are open to tourists who can admire the architecture and art collections in these Gompas. Ladakh, India.
Masked dancers. Matho Monastery. A ritual dance performed by monks wearing grotesque masks, it ends with the symbolic destruction of evil. Ladakh, India.
Buddhist Cham dancers perform at the annual festival in Matho Monastery. A ritual dance performed by monks wearing grotesque masks, it ends with the symbolic destruction of evil. Ladakh, India.
Buddhist Cham dancers perform at the annual festival in Matho Monastery. A ritual dance performed by monks wearing grotesque masks, it ends with the symbolic destruction of evil. Ladakh, India.
Oracle at Matho monastery, cutting his tongue with sword. In course of annual festival he reaches a trance-like-state—which people attribute to the magical force and religious frenzy—and begins to inflict wounds on the himself while answering people’s queries on their lives. Ladakh, India.
Oracle at Matho monastery, cutting his tongue with sword. In course of annual festival he reaches a trance-like-state—which people attribute to the magical force and religious frenzy—and begins to inflict wounds on the himself while answering people’s queries on their lives. Ladakh, India.
Monks dancing around the flagpole in Matho monastery in Ladakh, the dance ends with the dismembering of an effigy made of flour, symbolizing the destruction of evil. Ladakh, India.
Newar devotees circumambulate Kathmandu’s Seto Machhendranath temple. The cult of this idol is one of the oldest and most revered in the valley’s religion. The god is identified by the local Buddhist as Avalokitesvara, the Bodhisattava of compassion, and by Hindus as Yamaraja, lord of death. Hindus come to light a candle before the idol when someone in the family is in danger of death. The idol receives a ritual bathing each winter before making its public appearance riding in a rath, or chariot, several weeks later.
Kathmandu, Nepal.
Newar devotees circumambulate Kathmandu’s Seto Machhendranath temple. The cult of this idol is one of the oldest and most revered in the valley’s religion. The god is identified by the local Buddhist as Avalokitesvara, the Bodhisattava of compassion, and by Hindus as Yamaraja, lord of death. Hindus come to light a candle before the idol when someone in the family is in danger of death. The idol receives a ritual bathing each winter before making its public appearance riding in a rath, or chariot, several weeks later. Kathmandu, Nepal.
Newar devotees circumambulate Kathmandu’s Seto Machhendranath temple. The cult of this idol is one of the oldest and most revered in the valley’s religion. The god is identified by the local Buddhist as Avalokitesvara, the Bodhisattava of compassion, and by Hindus as Yamaraja, lord of death. Hindus come to light a candle before the idol when someone in the family is in danger of death. The idol receives a ritual bathing each winter before making its public appearance riding in a rath, or chariot, several weeks later.
Kathmandu, Nepal.
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