A Close up of the Shalimar Bagh as woven on the Map Shawl with along with the Dal Lake. Note the intricate work on the border. And see the detailing of the surroundings. No wonder it took 30 years to complete. One of the finest examples of Kashmiri Shawl craftsmanship. No wonder they were such a prized possession for Ladies in Aristocratic Europe.
Burzahom : Ancient Kashmir and its Dogs
The Burzahom is one of the oldest Neolithic sites excavated in Kashmir and probably the first place which saw settled life in the Valley. One remarkable characteristic of the site is the ritual Dog burial sites discovered. In some cases the Dogs were buried along with their owners. A reminder of how old our relationship is with this family of canines.
The Indus Irony
The Indus is the River which has given the name to civilization, to a people and to a Country as well. And the country it has given its name to has been the fountainhead of spiritualism where the Mountains and the Rivers are worshiped. But ironically the Indus, the mighty Indus itself figures nowhere in the list of sacred Rivers and a River to its East, the Ganges being the most revered one. We ask why ?
Kashmir and Tibet : The Forgotten Past
Kashmir has over the ages has had a great influence on Tibet in the area of Religion and allied Religious Iconry. Infact Mahayana Buddhism traveled to Tibet from Kashmir via Central Asia after the Fourth Buddhist Council in Kashmir. A large number of artisans and craftsmen were taken from Kashmir to Tibet to decorate the Monasteries as well.
First Lord Shiva on an Indic Coin
The Kushanas issued several other different versions of the Coins featuring Lord Shiva as well including him holding a damru and a Trident. And with Nandi Bull in the background. The whole irony of the whole situation is the fact that the first coin featuring the most revered Hindu God was coined in Bagram in Afghanistan (more Central Asian than Indic) on the foothills of the Hindu Kush and by an Emperor whose origin was Central Asian and not Indic.
9th Century Vaishnava Avatar
One of the most priceless treasures on display is a 9th Century metal “Vaishnava Avatar” frame which is a Prabhavali of bronze metal alloy measuring 6’4″ in height and 4′ wide and 1’2″ thick weighing almost 100 kgs excavated from Devsara. As the name suggests it shows various Avatars of Vishnu. Devsara, which is in Kulgam district had been in the past a great center for the casting of Bronze images and other metal works.
The Legendary Map Shawl of Kashmir
The legendary Map Shawl of Kashmir which has a map of Srinagar city weaved on fine Pashmina. The Shawl was commissioned by Maharaja Ranbir Singh and 3 of these were made. One is on display at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, one is with a private collector in Australia and one is on display at the SPS Museum in Srinagar.
Pahadi Languages of the Punjab Himalayas
A summary on the Pahadi languages spoken in the Western Himalayas. Compiled from Bailey’s classic Languages of the Western Himalayas.
Lijiang Instant Noodles Hotel
when you land up at an Indian owned Hotel on the edge of the Tibetan Plateau.
Passes into Kashmir
We try and summarize a list of Passes that provide entry /. exit into the Kashmir Valley besides the Gorge of the Jehlum River.
The Kashmir Ladakh Yarkand TransHimalayan Silk Route
Notes from the Kashmir Ladakh Yarkand Trade Route / Silk Route
The Nanga Parbat
The Nanga Parbat as seen from Gulmarg in Kashmir.
The Great Himalayan Mountain Complex
The Great Mountain Complex of the Himalayas is a vast expanse which includes the highest Peaks on the Planet and stretches all the way from Central Asia to South East Asia. We explain about some of the main Mountain Ranges of this Great Complex.
The Inglorious Bastards of the Pir Panjals
The Inglorious Bastards of the Pir Panjals
The Jawalaji Temple in Europe
The Astegah in Baku in Azerbaiajan is supposedly linked to the Jwalamukhi Temple in Himachal Pradesh. The intriguing story of the Hindu merchants who used this Temple along with the Zoroastrians and the Sikhs.
Harwan Buddhist Monastery Ruins
Exploring the remains of the Harwan Buddhist Monastery in Kashmir where the 4 th Buddhist Council was supposed to have been held in the First Century. It was Emperor Kanishka of the Kushan under whose aegis the Council took place and it was after this Council that hundreds of Buddhist Monks went to Central Asia, China, Korea, Japan and Tibet to propagate Mahayana Buddhism.
The Thanedaar of Balsan
A Tale of Man and his family who lived in a small Princely state or Thakurai called Balsan. He was the Thanedaar of Balsan and this is an ode to him.
Mission Yarkand
Mission Yarkand was a British Mission to to Ladakh to smoothen the trade between Ladakh and Yarkand. It was from Leh that British goods were sent into Central Asia. So it was in their great interest to facilitate the Trade. And students of Colonialism well know that where the Traders go the Soldiers soon follow !
The Chamba Story
The state of Chamba as it used to be was once a powerful Hill Kingdom which held sway from Kishtwar to Zanskar and Lahaul and Spiti. Notes on this small Kingdom with a big heart.
Martand Sun Temple : Then and Now
The Original Martand Sun Temple
The famous Martand Sun Temple in Kashmir and how it has faced the ravages of time. With some old sketches and photos compared with some pics of the modern times we take a journey in time.