1996
New Delhi
Red Fort, Lahore Gate
The Red Fort dates from the very peak of Moghul power. Emperor Shah Jahan started its construction in 1638 and it was completed ten years later.
Agra
Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal in the distance, with a camel in the foreground.
Constructed by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife
Mumtaz Mahal, the "lady of the Taj." Construction
of the Taj
Mahal began in 1632 and ended in 1647; about 20,000 people are said to have worked on
the building.
Agra Fort
Construction of the massive Agra Fort was begun by Emperor Akbar in 1565, and additions were made up until the time of his grandson, Shah Jahan.
Goa
Church in Old Goa
Goa was the vice-regal seat of the Portuguese Empire of the east, and fortunes were made from its control of the spice trade in the 16th century.
Goa Beach
Varanasi
The Ganges at Dawn
Varanasi,
the "eternal city," is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in
India. Situated on the banks of
the sacred Ganges,
Varanasi has been a center of learning and civilization for 2,000 years.
It was at Sarnath,
only 10 miles away that the Buddha
first preached his message of enlightenment, 25 centuries ago. Later
the city became a great Hindu
center, and is today a symbol of the Hindu
renaissance.
Bathing Ghats
There are more than 100 ghats
in all, of which Dasaswamedh is the most important, its
name signifying that Brahma
sacrificed (medh) 10 (das) horses (aswa) there.
The Golden Temple
Dedicated to Vishveswara (Vishwanath), Shiva
as Lord of the Universe. Originally built in the early 17th century,
the
present temple was built in 1776 by Ahalya Bai of
Indore, and the three tons of
gold plating on the towers was
provided by Maharaja Ranjit Singh of
Lahore.
1999
Road to Ladakh
Road to Leh from Manali
The 485-kilometer road from Leh to Manali is usually open from mid-July to mid-September when it is clear of snow.
My Driver
Traffic Jam...
...Due to a Mud Problem
Unbelievable Is Not It?
Taglang La is second only to Khardung La, the highest motorable pass in the world at 18,380 feet, between Leh and the Nubra Valley.
Leh
Leh
Leh, the capital of Ladakh, sits at an elevation of 11,550 feet and has a population of 24,500.
Shanti Stupa
Built by a Japanese, Indian-based man whose intention was to
spread Buddhism
by
building temples throughout the world. It was opened by the Dalai
Lama in 1985.
Ladakhi Men
Ladakhi Woman
Tikse Gompa
Tikse Gompa
Tikse Gompa is part of the Gelukpa (Yellow Hat) order.
The gompa has an important collection of Tibetan books in its library.
A sand mandala.
Hemis Gompa
Prayer Wheel
Hemis Gompa, also know as Chang-Chub-Sam-Ling (or the Lone
Place of the Compassionate Person),
belongs to the Drukpa order,
and was founded in the early 17th century.
Prayer Books
Monk Praying
Local Children
West of Leh
Road to Kargil
Road manners!
Indus and Zanskar Rivers
Where the Indus River meets the Zanskar River.
Alchi
Family near Alchi Gompa
Likir Gompa
Likir Gompa
Likir, or Klu-kkhyil (water spirits), Gompa was founded in
the 14th century. The present
structure was rebuilt in the 18th century and re-dedicated to the Gelukpa
(Yellow Hat) order.
Thangka Museum
Some of the thangkas are 500 years old.
Tree of Life
Restored Wall Murals
Buddha Statue
75 foot high statue of Buddha.
Young Monk
