An Expedition

Home to Dalai Lama and Tibetan Government in exile and the starting point of some of the exhilarating treks into the Himalayas, McLeod Ganj is the upper town of Dharamshala. Spread across the wooden ridges beneath the Dauladher Range, the town is divided into two distinct sections. Originally a British Hill Station, McLeod Ganj has been converted into a Tibetan Home by the influx of Tibetan Refugees who left China fleeing the Chinese Oppression. McLeod Ganj is a place which attracts a lot of homeland people as well as foreigners. Its a preferred place for Hollywood Actors with a number of them already visited the place. Despite low temperatures between December and March, it attracts a lot of people throughout the year. Seeing the low temperatures, you will require loads of very warm clothes. Dalai Lama Settled temporarily in Mc Leod Ganj in 1960, four decades later he is still here. Because of his presence the place has become prestigious. His house is one the south edge...

Either it is contemporary or its is esthic – in whatever way you can accept it, the sculptures of Khajuraho has always been a question for the mankind. A superb example of the Indo Aryan Architecture, the embellished carvings on the walls of the temples has made them famous. The liberty given in the idols of the not – so liberal Indian society has always been a source of curiosity. Two elements have been highlighted in the temples – women and sex. But why so, Why there are no idols of the gods worshiped in these Temples except Lord Shiva. (There is a separate Temple for Lord Shiva in Khajuraho Temples). Some say these sensuous posturing idols are in fact Tantric Images (Black Magic), pertaining to the fact that they are not limited to Khajuraho. As per this Cult, gratification of the basic instincts is one way to transcend the evils of the world and thus achieve Enlightenment. Bhoga (Physical enjoyment) and Yoga (Spiritual enjoyment) – both are seen as equally valid in the Quest fo...

Constructed in the 3rd Centuries, it still has the Charms of a New City. I have seen a number of movies ( as per my say) on the nomadic Arabs, but as i stood in front of this one - its was as if standing in front of a gold mine - which shone more in the bright sun light. As i put my foot ahead in the only entrance of the City of Petra, i could sense what next i am going to see will be mindblowing. The siq - a long narrow gorge took me to the lands of Petra City. The huge city has many facets in its intact forms like the Al Khanez - the treasury. This treasury is fully bathed in the sun light in the morning hours. Glowing like gold in the morning; it turns into a pink shadow in the evening. Large shells indicate sort of lockers where wealth used to be put up. Next to it is the road which takes you to the Old Market. The huge lanes on the both sides, indicate a large no of shops and shopkeepers in it. My imagination suddenly runs what might have been the Market of City of P...