You Tube:
How 50,000 People live on Kashmir's Dal lake.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXM-RBTtAsI&t=603s


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Another photobook --- more snippets in northern India.

Kashmir: A predominantly muslim corner in the Himalayas - it has disputed boundaries with Pakistan and China. But its historic culture fits well in scenic nature.

Old Srinagar is the main city, summer capital of Kashmir, with a majority population of the sunni sect. The area is famous for its lakes, formal gardens, houseboats, and elegant rowed shikaras. Temples and mosques abound, and the historic old town suggests conservation quality and pride in handcrafts.

Dal Lake is noted for its setting and daily-life with market activities colouring life afloat on the rowboats.

About 60miles north we visited Lolab almost on the border. “Land of love and beauty.“ Here we find mountain forests, extensive rice paddies, rural fruit-growing, and remote agricultural life, free from commerce and tourism.

We had intended to use the ZojiLa pass to climb up to Ladakh -- the longest tunnel in Asia is nearing completion under its superb scenery. However, early snow-closure meant we had to fly from Srinagar to our next target of wonderful Ladakh again. Previous photobooks record earlier visits to this fascinating setting in the high Himalayas. Predominately Tibetan-Buddhist culture has revered the mountainscape for centuries of survival. This time the scenery was rich in autumn colours especially along the Indus valleys. And of course the Ladakhi settlements so naturally fitted. Landmarks were frequent gompas-or-monasteries such as Lamayuru, Alchi, Spitok, and so on. Prayer-flags and chortens abounded.

But our particular aim was to join the enthusiastic and ever-colourful locals at the two-day annual Gustor Festival at Thiksey monastery. The hill on which Thiksey fits, Potala-like, seems strikingly natural with the warren of building stepping down from the temples in response. Perfect high-altitude sunshine brightened the crowds keenly attending from all around. Thiksey belongs to the Gelugpa order, the most dominant of the four Tibetan-Buddhist schools in Ladakh; it’s easily recognised by its curve-flourished yellow hats. But altogether colourful ceremonies progressed to trumpets, drums, and tradition lessons.

Then down to Delhi to re-visit some historic highlights including Isa Khan’s garden tomb, and Humayan’s (2nd Mughal emperor) mausoleum complex with its refined architecture. Near the Yamuna River.

Next, to the Qatb Minar with its surrounding Mehrauli archeological Park. The 73m minaret tower is skillfully carved in re-cut sandstone including incised script; a symbol of Indian history. And nearby is the 5thC Iron column!

So then east to Varanasi on the Ganges. I had never visited Varanasi before; well-known for photographic opportunities, but I wondered about the complex religious obsession. So now was the chance to quickly catch the moment.

In this crowded Holy city we see symbolic live cobra snakes, and intense blue faces in honour of Krishna. The main religion in Varanasi is Hindu, and it’s been the centre of Hinduism throughout recorded time. The Ganges itself is of fundamental significance and about 100 ghats step down to the water’s edge. Evening religious ceremonies are held on the riverside levels, thus becoming temples. Sadhus perform rituals, and families consult priests to lay their deceased to rest in waterside cremation fires. Indeed, colour and character in a melee of mythology.

But here too at least 40% of the people live in slums. Poverty, unemployment and illiteracy are common in this rapidly increasing population. We will see many children begging for survival. Colourful photos but human disaster.


Explore and enjoy

Peter Shep :-)

Tags:   PS peteshep Peter Sheppard November 2022 Srinagar Kashmir J & K shikaras Dal Lake

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Tags:   PS peteshep Peter Sheppard November 2022 Srinagar Kashmir J & K shikaras Dal Lake copyright

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Tags:   PS peteshep Peter Sheppard November 2022 Srinagar Kashmir J & K evening shikaras Dal Lake copyright

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Tags:   PS peteshep Peter Sheppard November 2022 Srinagar Kashmir J & K shikaras copyright

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Tags:   PS peteshep Peter Sheppard November 2022 Srinagar Kashmir J & K Dal Lake evening shikaras copyright

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