Lamayuru is one of the most ancient monasteries in Ladakh, the oldest surviving structure dating to the 11 th century CE. What makes this monastery particularly fascinating, is its location, amidst what is today called the “moonscape”, for the spectacular natural rock formations, which truly are “out of the world”! As per legend , there once existed a huge lake in this area, populated only by the Nagas (serpents). It was prophesized that there would be a great monastery built here. This prophecy came true when the great acharya Naropa (756-1041 CE) arrived. He emptied the lake, meditated for many years inside a cave, and built the first monastery here. The present structure is a new one, built around the cave where Acharya Naropa is said to have meditated. This legend seems to fit well with the geological formations seen in the area, which suggest this was a paleo-lake, which disappeared around 1000 years ago. Lamayuru is about 130 km from Leh , and the Indus River flows along th
The year is almost gone, and its time to look back and remember all the wonderful things that made this year so special. The year was an especially good one for travel, though not as much for writing! I managed to travel almost every month, and, as a result, have a huge backlog of places and stories to write about!!! Leaving that aside for the monent, I will be posting a photo a day from one of my (many) trips this year.... in the order in which I took them. I begin with my first trip of the year.. in January, to one of my favourite destinations... Sringeri.
We performed Samhith's Upanayanam or Thread ceremony at Sringeri, and it was a great occasion for our entire family to get together. On the flip side, we had no time to go roaming around, but just spending a couple of days in the serene environs of the ashram on the banks of the Tunga river was enough to refresh and rejuvenate us!
Posts about Sringeri:
I remember the guest post on Sringeri. A wonderful place. I would love to see it someday with my own eyes.
ReplyDeleteYes, Arti! I do, too...that was the most detailed post I ever wrote on Sringeri. and you should def go sometime to Sringeri, From what i know of you and your family, you all will love it!
DeleteI love sringeri.. I visited only once, that too when I m 10 yr old.. its good that samhith got upanayana done there.. its also well known place for vidyaarambha.. don't know when I ll visit there..
ReplyDeleteSo many posts about sringeri, but also I want to read more about this place!!!
..... Dr.A
Its the kind of place, Dr.A that we can never have enough of! I could never visit Sringeri as a kid. It must have been even more beautiful then, before the bridge across the river was built.. you will see a lot of changes now.
DeleteIn fact I have never heard of this place Sringeri..... must look it up.
ReplyDeleteYes, Haddock. you certainly must! Its a really beautiful place
DeleteNice idea of recalling your whole year travel memories.
ReplyDelete