Showing posts with label South Asia. Show all posts

The imposing triangular shadow of Adam�s Peak at sunrise is quite a sight

Location: Adam�s Peak�s shadow, Sri Lanka (6� 48' 41? N, 80� 29' 59? E)
Date: 3 March 1997; 6.15am
Camera: (analogue) Minolta compact with negatives and scanned

Adam�s Peak is the 4th highest peak in Sri Lanka. It is revered as a holy site by Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and Christians. It has a 1.8m rock formation at the summit that resembles a footprint- the Buddhists regard that to be the footprint of Buddha, the (Hindu) Brahmans as that of Lord Shiva, the Muslims as that of Adam and the Portuguese Christians have conflicting claims that it is the footprint of St Thomas and the eunuch of Candace, the queen of Ethiopia. As such it is a popular and important pilgrim site. There are several routes to the mountain, involving walking up thousands of steps. Pilgrims normally starts very early in the morning so that they can be at the summit at sunrise to see the distinctive shape of the mountain casting a triangular shadow on the surrounding plain which can be seen to move quickly downward as the sun rises. In fact the walk up the summit during the wee hours of the morning itself can be quite a sight with the zigzag path leading up to the summit lit up by the lights of pilgrims.

Technorati Tags: Adam's Peak,Sri Lanka

Do you like to have a haircut and shave in an open-air saloon?

Location: Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India(27� 10' 48? N, 78� 1' 12? E)
Date: 7 Jan 2009; 3.10pm
Camera: Canon 400D with Sigma 17-70/f2.8-4.5

India is one of a few countries where there is a healthy mix of the old and new. One example is the continue use of colonial era articles. Another very interesting sight is the continue practice of trade in the old fashion way alongside the modern version, be it laundry and ironing services or hair-cut. These days there are swanky air-conditioned saloons in cities such as Mumbai, Delhi and so on; but roadside barbers are doing popular.

Lights & fireworks during Sri Lanka�s �Festival of Lights�

Location: Central Colombo, Sri Lanka (6�54'58.10"N 79�51'18.61"E )
Date: 17 May 2011, 7.40pm
Camera: Samsung Galaxy Mini phone camera

Vesak Day is a Buddhist holiday commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Gautama Buddha. It is celebrated on different days by different countries due to the diverse nature of Buddhist cultures around the world. In most South East Asian countries, it is a public holiday. On Vesak day, Buddhists will visit monasteries to offer their prayers and to attend sermons. In Sri Lanka, a Buddhist-majority country, Vesak is celebrated over a week, though there are only 2 days of public holiday. Here, it is not only a religious holiday but also a cultural festival, dubbed the �Festival of Lights�. Alcohol and meat are not sold for at least 2 days (the public holidays) during this period. There will be brightly-lit pandols called toranas erected all over the major cities such as Colombo and Kandy. One will often see long queues of people at food stalls called dans�las, set up by Buddhist devotees providing free food and drinks. There will be fireworks in Colombo. The week is the brightest-lit and most festive everywhere in Sri Lanka.

A landmark of Mumbai�Haji Ali Dargah

Location: The Haji Ali Dargah islet, Mumbai, India (18� 59' 6? N, 72� 48' 36? E)
Date: 11 April 2007; 4.40pm
Camera: Canon 400D with Sigma 17-70/f2.8-4.5

The Haji Ali Dargah is a landmark in the southern part of Mumbai. It is both a mosque and a tomb located on an islet off the coast on the Arabian Sea. The Haji Ali Dargah was constructed in 1431 in memory of a rich Muslim merchant, Sayyed Peer Haji Ali Shah Bukhari. Bukhari was from Bukhara, in the ancient Persian Empire and now in Uzbekistan, who gave up all his worldly possessions before making a pilgrimage to Mecca. He travelled around the world in the early to mid 15th century, and then settled in Mumbai.

Haji Ali Dargah is connected to the mainland by a narrow km long causeway that is submerged during tides; it is only accessible during low tides. This does not deter the 80,000 odd pilgrims, irrespective of faith and religion, who visits the tomb every week to get the blessings of the legendary saint. It is quite festive to visit the tomb on Thursdays and Fridays when it is packed with pilgrims and visitors. Occasionally there are also sufi musicians who perform sufi devotional music at the Dargah.

Ladakhis look more like Tibetans than �Indians�

Location: Leh, Ladakh, India (34� 10' 3? N, 77� 35' 24? E)
Date: 18 August 2009 6.20pm
Camera: Canon 300D with EF 70-200/f4 IS L

Ladakh is nothing like the rest of India. It is cold, mountainous and not as crowded as most parts of India, which tends to be steamy and sweaty with humanity. The rest of India is mainly dusty and flat where the representation of Hinduism is everywhere. Some parts of Ladakh are even more dustier and very dry- high altitude desert- but the predominate religious manifestation is that of Buddhism. The major exceptions are Kargil where the majority is Muslim and perhaps Leh, where there is also a significant proportion of Muslims.

The people of Ladakh are also quite different from �mainland� India. Again apart from the Kargil region and Leh, the predominant population are rather Tibetan-looking. In fact without thinking too much, one could have thought that one is visiting Tibet or the Sherpa region of Nepal. The language too is like a Tibetan dialect. Such is the wonder and beauty of Ladakh.

Traveling is a way of living. It allows you to expand your eyes, mind and improve your listening skills, as you encounter a variety of people on your journeys. Reader's Digest supports travel bugs and wanders from all walks of life and believe that a good traveler knows every penny spent is a penny fewer from the next town. Traveling is a way of life and a travel budget is how you survive. We wish the best for Peter throughout all his adventures.

Technorati Tags: Ladakh,Leh,Tibetan

A Baroque-style mosque that looks more like a church, Galle, Sri Lanka

Location: Meeran Jumma Masjid , Galle, Sri Lanka (6� 1' 28.27" N 80� 13' 8.16" E )
Date: 12 October 2010, 4.40pm
Camera: Canon 500D with Sigma 17-70/f2.8-4.5

Galle has some quite interesting architecture gems. The majority of the older buildings- residences, warehouses and so on- are built during the Dutch colonial period. Many of these buildings are being preserved and refurbished into boutique hotels and art galleries. One of the most impressive building in the walled city that is still alive all this while is a Baroque-style mosque, Meeran Jumma Mosque. From the outside, the mosque looks just like a church. The only giveaway are the crescents atop the mosque in front instead of crosses. The mosque originating from 1750s and rebuilt in 1904 had been in continuous use. It is a white building but I reckon it looks cooler and more fun with this HDR rendition.

Technorati Tags: Meeran Jumma Mosque,Galle,Sri Lanka

The Symbol of Nepal- Buddha's Third Eyes

Location: Kathmandu, Nepal (27�42'26.99"N 85�18'43.60"E)
Date: 7 May 2003; 3.20pm
Camera: Canon G1
The Buddha Eyes, also known as Buddha's Third Eyes or Wisdom Eyes symbolizes the omnipresence or all-seeing of a Buddha. In Nepal, Buddha Eyes can be found on virtually every stupa; so prevalent that they are considered the symbol of Nepal itself. This is quite remarkable considering that the majority of Nepalis are Hindus. With each pair of eyes, there is also a curly symbol between the eyes that looks very much like a question mark - this is the Nepali character for number 1 and symbolizes the unity of all the things and the one way to reach enlightenment�through the Buddha's teachings.

Indiana Jones would be proud of this�� Passu, Pakistan

Location: Hussaini Village, Northern Territories, Pakistan (36�25'25.26"N 74�52'54.78"E)
Date: 2 July 2007; 9.15am
Camera: Canon 400D with Sigma 17-70/f2.8-4.5

Apart from trekking the Karakorum Mountains, one of the most amazing experiences in Pakistan is crossing the suspension bridge across the Hunza River from Hussaini Village to Zar Abad. This rope bridge is long and un-maintained, missing a few planks. There are actually two bridges; the old one was broken and hangs in tatters right next to the current one. Crossing the bridge is quite a challenge, not only because of its condition, the length and the quick flowing river underneath but also the precariousness due to its shaking by strong winds brought by the flowing river. However to the locals, this is their only means to cross the wide river and they cross it as if walking on land, without much of a blink of the eye. There is another suspension bridge across the river slightly further south- better condition but just as scary. Apart from the sense of adventure, one can also enjoy the fabulous view of the Passu Cathedral (mountains in photo) from here. This place is highly recommended and is a �must-go� for anyone travelling the Karakorum Highway.

Technorati Tags: Pakistan,Hunza River,Passu,Passu Cathedrals,Hussaini,suspension bridge,Karakorum Highway

Fun carvings in Gangaramaya temple, Colombo, Sri Lanka

Location: Gangaramaya, Colombo, Sri Lanka (6�54'58"N 79�51'22"E)
Date: 14 October 2010, 2.10pm
Camera: Canon 500D with Sigma 17-70/f2.8-4.5

Gangaramaya is the largest Buddhist temple in Colombo. It is not just a temple, place of worship, but also a recognised learning center. Within its compound are residential hall, museum and education rooms as well as a huge collection of Buddha souvenirs, precious artworks, statues, carvings and gifts from devotees around the world. The collection of statues is rather interesting- as they are from different countries, one can see the influence and depiction of Lord Buddha in the different ethnic and cultural forms. Chinese influence seems to be strong as there are carved jades and tusks from China and even huge statues of Chinese deities. However some of the more interesting carvings are those outside and carved around the Relic Chamber with kids in different postures as if they are supporting the base of the Chamber.

Technorati Tags: Gangaramaya,Colombo,Sri Lanka

Location: Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India (26� 55' 12? N, 70� 54' 0? E)
Date: 27 Dec 2008; 8.30am
Camera: Canon 400D with Sigma 17-70/f2.8-4.5

The Gypsies or Roma that we know today originated from India and migrated across to the West over a thousand years ago. The origin of their culture is the hostile habitat of the Thar Desert of Rajasthan. Two of the most common group of so-called gypsies in India are the Bopa and Kalbeliya. They are the lowest caste in the Hindu caste system and live a nomadic life, sleeping underneath the stars on the outskirts of towns in Rajasthan. They worked as street performers travelling between fairs and festivals such as those of Pushkar and Bikhaner, as well as selling ethnic jewellery and accessories at tourist spots. They are talented musicians and dancers and they used to be sought after by maharajas as court performers; however their stable livelihood disappeared together with the royalties of India. They can be easily identified by their darker skin, colourful costumes and abundant adornment of accessories, the most common being the nose rings.

The �Mosque of the 4 Minarets� of Hyderabad (also known as Cyberabad or Tollywood)

Location: Charminar, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India (17� 21' 41? N, 78� 28' 28? E)
Date: 27 November 2005; 2.45pm
Camera: Canon 400D with Sigma 17-70/f2.8-4.5

Hyderabad is the 6th largest city in India. It has developed by leaps-and-bounds in the last few years especially as a major hub in the IT industry, earning itself the nickname �Cyberabad�. It is also the home of the Telugu Film Industry, second biggest only to Bollywood in India; that�s why the city is sometimes referred to as Tollywood. It has a huge Muslim minority and one of the most famous monument of the city is the Charminar literally meaning the Four Minarets. Charminar was built by a Sultan in 1591 after fulfillment of a prayer for the end of a plague that was ravaging the city. The monument is in fact a mosque (on the top floor of the structure) within a fort, made of granite, lime, mortar and pulverised marble. Surrounding the monument is the most bustling bazaar of Hyderabad, the Laad Bazaar. Due to the big Muslim population of the city, Hyderabad has reputedly the best Nasi Biryani (a Muslim rice dish) one can ever find in India.

Technorati Tags: Hyderabad,Cyberabad,Tollywood,Andhra Pradesh,Charminar,Laad Bazaar

Srinagar, Kashmir at better times, just a year ago

Location: Dal Lake, Srinagar, Kashmir, India (34� 5' 24? N, 74� 47' 24? E)
Date: 15 August 2009 8.30am
Camera: Canon 400D with Sigma 17-70/f2.8-4.5

This was Dal lake of Srinagar a year ago. Just how much things have changed for the Kashmir Valley in just one year. Protests on the streets of Srinagar in the middle of this year descended into killings of activists and protesters by the Indian Army and Police. The death toll was at least 60, mostly rock-hurling civilians shot dead by police. Whilst the Kashmiri issues are complex and intractable, it is still rather hypocritical of the so-called Western democracies for not raising much of a ruckus to India over the killings. The same cannot be said if the country was Iran or China. Civilian lives often became pieces of pawn on a chessboard to be sacrificed for the greater gains. I was blessed to have the opportunity to visit this beautiful place during one of its most peaceful period and I hope that peace and common sense will again prevail in the Valley very soon.

A truly unique Sri Lankan tradition�. stilt fishing

Location: Ahangama, Sri Lanka (5� 58' 40 N, 80� 22' 28 E)
Date: 12 October 2010, 6.10pm
Camera: Canon 500D with Sigma 17-70/f2.8-4.5

One of the most iconic images of Sri Lanka is that of men fishing while perched precariously on poles in the middle of rushing waves.The fishermen sit on a cross bar called a petta tied to a vertical pole planted into the coral reef. They hold the stilt with one hand while fishing with a rod using the other. The poles are about 3-4 m long with about half a meter driven into the reef; so the fishermen is about 2 m above water at high tides. The fishes they catch are small herrings, sardines and mackerels that hang around the shallow reefs. Any fishes caught are stored in a plastic bag tied around their waist or the pole. This is stilt or pole fishing, a tradition that is uniquely Sri Lankan; but a dying tradition with dwindling practitioners. Most stilt fishermen are found on the south and eastern coast of the island. However these days near the tourist resorts along the south coast, there are more so-called stilt fishermen who will pose for a fee for tourists to snap their photos.

Technorati Tags: Sri Lanka,Ahangama,stilt fishing,pole fishing

Golden temple- it is really gold!!

Location: Golden Temple at Amritsar, India (31� 36' 0 N, 74� 52' 0 E)
Date: 24 June 2007: 6.30pm
Camera: Canon 400D with Sigma 17-70mm/f2.8-4.5

The Sikh Golden Temple of Amritsar is definitely one of the highlights of anyone�s visit to India. Though it is not as well-known or popular as some other Indian destinations such as Taj Mahal, Red Fort etc, it is to me, one of the most memorable destinations of India. As was discussed in a previous post on this temple, this place exudes a certain sense of peacefulness and tranquility like no other places in India. If the UNESCO Heritage Site includes existing places of worship, the Golden Temple will definitely get my vote as a candidate.

A living Dutch-style walled city in Sri Lanka

Location: Fort Galle , Galle, Sri Lanka (6� 1' 53.19? N, 80� 12' 58.78? E)
Date: 12 October 2010, 6.10pm
Camera: Canon 500D with Sigma 17-70/f2.8-4.5

I first visited Galle in 1996 and spent less than 2 hours there. I did not do much research about the place then and went there because it is one of the tourist destinations touted by travel publications on Sri Lanka. I was a little disappointed with Galle then as there was really nothing to see apart from some old style Dutch buildings which are in various state of disrepair. Later I realised that it is a UNESCO Heritage Site. Lately I have read some travel guides that described the place with flowing praise, more for the so-called transformation into a shopping paradise for arts and the money spent, mainly by rich European expatriates in renovating and transforming some of the older buildings into boutique hotels and art outlets. So I told myself I must spend two days there the next time I visit- which I did recently- I specially extended my stay in Sri Lanka for this. Well, I was reasonably disappointed again. Yes, there had been some restoration of old buildings but the audience is obviously rich Europeans tourists. Most of the houses and churches are still in �original� state despite the �city� being a UNESCO site and hence, getting funds to preserve and upkeep. I guess the UNESCO inscription was for a �fortified city built by Europeans in South and South-East Asia, showing the interaction between European architectural styles and South Asian traditions.� and in that sense it is correct. I do enjoy the fact that it is a living city with people actually living and breathing in the old houses, and for centuries for that matter. But that is also changing- many of the houses are already under renovation and soon the character of this place will change from being a living city to a commercial city.

The �Crown of Jaipur� Hawa Mahal, Rajasthan, India

Location: Hawa Mahal, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India (26� 55' 26? N, 75� 49' 36? E)
Date: 3 Jan 2009; 8.30am
Camera: Canon 400D with Sigma 17-70/f2.8-4.5

Jaipur forms one of the legs of the so-called �Golden Triangle� of Delhi-Agra-Jaipur that nearly every tourist to India will visit. The city is a chaotic city- just like anywhere in India- and has a few interesting attractions, including the UNESCO Heritage Site of Jantar Mantar. However I always enjoy visiting the Hawa Mahal in the city.

Hawa Mahal means the �Palace of Winds� and is part of the City Palace complex. Nothing much of it is left except its exterior five-storey structure. The structure was designed like the crown of the Hindu god, Krishna. but with 953 small windows known as jharokhas, decorated with intricate lattice work. the windows was designed to allow royal ladies to observe everyday life in the street below without being seen as they have a tradition of strict face covering (purdah) for the ladies then. Hawa Mahal was for many years in a rather derelict state with peeling paint and broken windows until a restoration effort that started in 2005. It is now somewhat more �pretty�.

Technorati Tags: Hawa Mahal,Jaipur,jharokhas

Youngster practicing cricket batting in Galle, Sri Lanka

Location: Galle International Stadium, Galle, Sri Lanka (6� 1' 53.19? N, 80� 12' 58.78? E)
Date: 11 October 2010, 4.40pm
Camera: Canon 400D with Sigma 17-70/f2.8-4.5

Cricket is the most popular game in South Asia and in many other former British colonies, the most popular summer game. It is played as 5 days Tests and One Day Internationals. Test cricket is a strategic game but One Day cricket really brings the game to the mainstream, adding a higher level of excitement by capturing the audience attention with the shorter game perfectly suited to the TV era.

Sri Lanka is a relatively new player in the international cricket scene, having only obtained Test status in 1981. However it has managed to capture the imagination of the cricket world by winning the Cricket World Cup in 1996 and the International Cricket Council Champions trophy in 2002 as well as being the runner up in a few other international championships. Sri Lanka has within its ranks greats such as Muttiah Muralitharan (often referred to as simply Murali), the highest wicket taker in both Test cricket and 1 Day internationals. Most of the great cricket players of Sri Lanka and other countries such as Pakistan are in fact �hailed from the streets�. However these days cricket is such a big game that youngsters go through structured training programs to hone their batting and bowling skills. It has also become such a big money game that it is rife with corruption as big bets are placed on many small specific aspects of a game. Many talented Pakistani players are notoriously associated with cricket corruption.

Technorati Tags: Sri Lanka,cricket,Murali

Location: Bundi, Rajasthan, India (25� 26' 24? N, 75� 38' 24? E)

Date: 22 Dec 2009; 1.10pm
Camera: Canon 400D with Sigma 17-70/f2.8-4.5

I saw this painting of Ganesha outside houses in Bundi. There are different versions but of them are of Ganesha. I did not quite discover the reasons for this but I guess it has to do with the fact that Ganesha is a symbol of prosperity and is believed to be destroyer of all obstacles which come in its way. Hence just like the Chinese Door Gods, Ganesha is supposed to do the same.

Durbar Square is full of temples and palaces, Kathmandu, Nepal

Location: Basantapur Tower, Durbar Square, Kathmandu, Nepal (N27 42 14 E85 18 30 )
Date: 28 March 2000; 2.15pm
Camera: Canon EOS 500N (analogue) on slides and scanned

Durbar Square of Kathmandu is so full of temples, palaces and old buildings that I lost track of which building I took my photos. I took this photo because I was amused by the two figures staring out of the window, like they were enjoying the view. Later I found out the name of the building (actually palace) and found out that the images are supposed to be that of the gods Ram and Sita. Anyway Durbar Square is a fun place to hang around- well, it was more fun then as it was free to enter the Square those days. There is now an entrance fee, supposedly for the upkeep of the place � if it is true, I do not really mind. But it can be frustrating trying to have a quiet moment in the Square as it is packed with people at any time of the day. I was told that the Durbar Square in the nearby town of Patan is a better place to visit for enjoying the architecture and atmosphere as it is very much less crowded than the one in Kathmandu.

Technorati Tags: Kathmandu,Durbar Square,Nepal,Basantapur,HanumanDhoka

The most crowded place in Mumbai on any weekends

Location: Juhu Beach, Mumbai, India (19� 6' 0? N, 72� 49' 48? E)
Date: 17 April 2007 6.15pm
Camera: Canon 400D with Sigma 17-70/f2.8-4.5

Juhu is one of the most affluent suburbs of Mumbai where many of Bollywood�s stars live. It has a sprawling beach, Juhu Beach, which is very popular with Mumbai-ans. It is always jam-pack with people in the evenings and during weekends. The beach is actually pretty nice, facing the Arabian Sea, though the waves can be quite strong. There are many luxury hotels and apartments along the beach, especially at the southern end. There are also some exquisite shops and restaurants which are popular with the increasing number of young professionals, along the Juhu Road. It is probably the only beach in Mumbai that I will swim. It is also a fun place (for me) to watch people.

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