A priest walking around with the aarti after the ceremony at Har-ki-Pauri in Haridwar.

A Sambar deer at the Ranthambore National Park

A young adolescent tiger taking an afternoon siesta at the Ranthambore National park.

The Yunam river cutting across the Sarchu plains.

The Sarchu Plains, is a high altitude (4300m) grassy plain forming the valley system between the Great Himalaya and Zanskar ranges. The Yunam river cuts through the Sarchu plains forming a deep, wide canyon in the middle of the grasslands. At the far end of these plains lie the Sarchu camp, consisting of numerous tented camps providing hot food and accommodation to weary travelers.

The Lamayuru monastery sitting on its dramatic perch.

Temples at the Laxmi Narayan temple complex in Chamba, Himachal Pradesh.

Stone sculptures on the the outside walls of the temples at the Laxmi Narayan Temple complex in Chamba, Himachal Pradesh. There are totally 6 temples present in the complex. Three of which are dedicated to Lord Vishnu and three for Lord Shiva. The temples are carved in stone with shell roofs and wooden umbrellas to protect them from rain and the occasional snow. The sculptures around the temple are quite exquisite as you can see above.

East trail Entrance..

Entrance gate to the eastern steps of the huuangshan mountain.

Sea of clouds.

Sheep being driven out for grazing at the Korzok village.

Railay west beach during day time..

A bonfire to burn the religious artifacts (butter sculptures, tomas etc) at the Hemis monastery in Ladakh

One of the important events of the festival start after it has actually ended. A few hours after the final ceremony all the monks gather in the courtyard or in the main temple of the monastery. Here they offer pujas to the Butter sculptures and Tomas (conical cakes made of barley and butter) created as offerings for the festival. Once the puja is done they take these artifacts on a ritual procession around the monastery compound, accompanied by a lot of cheering and music from the monks.

Stone temples at the Laxmi Narayan temple complex in Chamba, Himachal Pradesh.

Stone sculptures on the the outside walls of the temples at the Laxmi Narayan Temple complex in Chamba, Himachal Pradesh. There are totally 6 temples present in the complex. Three of which are dedicated to Lord Vishnu and three for Lord Shiva. The temples are carved in stone with shell roofs and wooden umbrellas to protect them from rain and the occasional snow. The sculptures around the temple are quite exquisite as you can see above.

Having tea with the lama at the Sengor monastery

Husband and wife..

In a sea of clouds

playing with fire..

Fury

what does it looks like ?

Swan lake at the emperor's palace.

Black swans swimming at the Old Summer palace in Beijing China. I love the perfect symmetrical reflection of the swan in the lake's waters.

Whirling like crazy..

Whirling round like this is part of the traditional Bhutanese mask dance. But now at the end of festival processing that goes around the temple these people we whirling around like this just for fun.

Me with the Lama's wife...

waiting for the sunset..

Waterfall on the outskirts of Vashisht Village, Manali

Stone sculptures at the Laxmi Narayan temple complex in Chamba, Himachal Pradesh.

Watching the festivities.

A Canter ferrying tourists around at the Ranthambore National Park

Black necked cranes (Thrung Thrungs) at the Phobjikha valley in central Bhutan.

Black necked cranes (Thrung Thrungs) at the Phobjikha valley in central Bhutan.

Sunrise over Tsomoriri Lake..

Look at the peaks to the right lighting up in pink with the first light of the day.

Sarchu plains

The Sarchu Plains, is a high altitude (4300m) grassy plain forming the valley system between the Great Himalaya and Zanskar ranges. The Yunam river cuts through the Sarchu plains forming a deep, wide canyon in the middle of the grasslands. At the far end of these plains lie the Sarchu camp, consisting of numerous tented camps providing hot food and accommodation to weary travelers.

Moodland landscape on the outskirts of Lamayuru.

Moodland landscape on the outskirts of Lamayuru.

Young monks studying at the Sengor monastery.

Young monks studying at the Sengor monastery.