After my initial trip to India a couple of years ago I thought I knew what to expect. However choosing to head to the far Northern Jammu & Kashmir region, specifically an area called Ladakh is not like visiting other parts of India.
The area is also known as Little Tibet as it is where many of the Tibetan people settled after fleeing the Chinese invasion. As a result it has its own very distinct culture and a large Buddhist community.
Its remote location, in the foothills of the Western end of the Himalayas, makes the landscape and scenery stunning although the altitude does mean you have to take things easy for a few days when you first arrive!
Pagoda in the Mountains
The pagoda style roof of a temple in Phyang
Masked Dancer
A monk dressed in ceremonial costume performs a dance as part of the Phyang Festival
Young Monks
Two young monks with Tibetan Buddhist horns used as part of the Phyang ceremony.
Watching the show
Through this doorway is where the monks get ready and dress up in their costumes and masks. The younger monks help with the preparations and inbetween ceremonial dances gather in the doorway to watch.
The old men
Monks in these costumes almost acted as the light relief between the ceremonial dances.
Head Monks
These were the head monks who throught the entire ceremony chanted, and kept time with the drum and cymbals.
Procession of the Tibetan Buddhist Horns
Dancing Monk
Master of Ceremonies
Mountain Stupas
Hilltop Monastery
A typical Ladakh landscape with mountains, fertile fields where the river indus runs through the lower valley, and a monastery perched on a hilltop.
Articles of Faith
Items arranged on a table inside one of the Buddhist Monasteries.
A Religious Life
This monk is stood inside the main temple at Hemis.
Temple Frescoes
Inside many of the Buddhist Temples, the walls are covered in intricately painted frescoes. These are inside Thiksey Monastery.
Shanti Stupa
This is a relatively modern stupa. It is of a slightly different design to a regular stupa as it was built by Japanese Buddhists about 26 years ago.
Detail on Shanti Stupa
Working the Fields
A woman tends to the barley fields in Alchi with the soaring mountain face in the background.
Rizong Monastery
Monks heading down the steps to class at Rizong Monastery
Little Buddha
A young monk sits by a wall in Rizong Monastery.
Temple Idols
A collection of Buddha statues in Rizong Monastery each wrapped in a coloured scarf.
