Norbulingka

At the close of our second day, we made a 5 hour drive north and then stopped to sleep for a few hours and on day three we finished our drive to Norbulingka- a Tibetan artisan community set up by the Dalai Lama to preserve the culture.  It is GORGEOUS and so peaceful there.   . .they have a guest house we stayed in one night that was filled with beautiful Tibetan art.  The grounds were covered in trees with streams running through and included a beautiful temple at the top of a hill.  We were all wishing we could stay more than one day.

Pilgrimage update #1

It's 11pm and once again I'm really too tired to really write much.  So I'm going to post pictures with a brief description and let them speak for themselves. (I only ended up covering day two of the pilgrimage here and we are finishing day five.  I thought I would have enough energy to do more but I will have to try to catch up as I go!  Tomorrow is another full day!)

Gonzalo buying fresh flowers in front of the Hindu temple to be used as an offering. 

Cecelia receiving a blessing in the form of a red dot on her third eye (made from a plant).

Meditating in a Hindu temple in Delhi (Brazilians Guilbert, Casia, Rubins, Ceclia)

At the famous Bahai Lotus Temple in Delhi.  There were many Indians that wanted to have a picture taken with us individually. ..especially the light haired women!

Doing the Dances of Universal Peace at the Lotus temple.  This pilgrimage is actually a Dances of Universal Peace pilgrimage. Most everyone participating is part of a DUP group in their country that meets regularly.   Basically DUPs are sacred texts put to music and danced in a circle (simple movements) together.  It's a way of embodying the sacred.

Here I am at Ghandi's tomb. .this was a special moment for me.  We were required to take off our shoes before entering the compound and we joined in the tradition of circling the tomb clockwise three times.  Just out side in the park we danced and the Indians were enthralled. . they surrounded us, clapped and then when we were done hugged and kissed us, gave us blessings etc.  There was this real heartfelt exchange despite the language barrier.  It moved many of us to tears.  

Happy New Moon (beginnings!)

Here we are!  All the pilgrims gathered in front of our hotel for the first time

Wow. . we have officially begun the pilgrimage. . .it's 11pm and I'm exhausted but wanted to share just a little- no way I can really share all the colors, smells, rituals, sounds, feelings resulting from two amazing events this evening.  The first was our opening ceremony in the form of a Hindu fire puja- basically a sacred ritual for cleansing and blessings (calling in the divine) that includes a fire, of course, the burning of certain offerings, sacred ash, chanting, prayer ties on the wrists for health.   .I'm I forgetting anything?  Probably!  Here are some pictures to help give you an idea:

After the punja which was held in a courtyard of the hotel, we ate and then travelled in two mini buses to a beautiful sacred Sufi compound that encompasses the tomb of Sufi saint Hazrat (title) Inayat Khan. We were led in a couple songs by Anahata on her guitar- Hazrat Inayat Khan's words put to music and then we had the fabulous experience of the Sacred Sufi Musician/Singers called the Qawalli.   Composed of four men, the group played and sang for about an hour- some of the most divine music you will ever hear I think!  Amazing rhythms, voices, feeling, heart was found in their music. I was entranced as was everyone else I think.  We finished off the evening on the balcony of the courtyard with masala chai tea and biscuits and great conversation in the ethereal light of the night surrounded by magnificent architecture, roses in bloom below and palm trees moving with the soothing breeze.  It has truly been a sacred time.  Gratitude to and for God!

Quietly entering the tomb, one by one, making an offering of fresh flower garlands.  Women cover their heads out of respect for the Sufi tradition.

Spirited Qawalli singers in action while Anahata looks on.  They actually invited her to play her open-tuned guitar (makes it sound like a sitar) with them.  She had a great time!

To close I would like to leave you with the words of Hazrat Inayat Khan many of which were engraved in the walls of the tomb.

KHATUM 

O Thou,

   Who art the Perfection of

   Love, Harmony, and Beauty,

   The Lord of heaven and earth,

Open our hearts,

   That we may hear Thy Voice,

   Which constantly cometh from within.

Disclose to us Thy Divine Light,

   which is hidden in our souls,

   that we may know and understand life better.

Most Merciful and Compassionate God,

   Give us Thy great Goodness;

   Teach us Thy loving Fogiveness;

   Raise us above the distinctions and

   differences which divide men;

Send us the Peace of Thy Divine Spirit,

And unite us all in Thy Perfect Being.

Amen

Happy 2070!! Honk Honk

Yesterday as I was working on the computer I kept hearing sounds of a marching band. .I finally went out to the street and there was a parade!  Traditional costume, decorated dancing animals, drums, kids marching etc. to the end of the street where there was some kindof party happening- so crowded that I didn't attempt to go there.  Later I found out that everyone was celebrating the Hindu New Year which officially starts today (it's also a new moon).  An Indian told me that according to them the year is actually 2070!  Not sure how they came to this number but I'm determined to find out!

Dancing horses!

I'm finishing up my last breakfast at this lovely cafe in preparation for moving to the official guest house of the pilgrimage which starts at 4pm tonight.  Of course, I have already met several of the pilgrims who arrived early and stayed in our same hotel.  I'm personally getting ready to be the official photojournalist/videographer of the pilgrimage!

Lastly, I can't believe that I haven't mentioned the horn when talking about driving in India (and Ghana for that matter).  The use of the horn is more common and more important than the use of the brakes here and often times used instead of a turn signal.  People use it all the time to let people know they are there and to preferably move out of the way or at least be aware.  Honk Honk!

Hotel Relax balcony- notice the elephants- ancient Indian art, furniture was everywhere in this hotel!

Pilgrims Arriving!

Yesterday we took the 11 hour taxi ride back to Delhi in order to prepare to meet the pilgrims- some of whom have been arriving earlier than the pilgrimage (which officially starts here tomorrow at 4pm).   Driving through the foothills is precarious business.  In fact, driving in India in general is precarious business.  Yesterday, after witnessing our amazing taxi driver, I came to the conclusion that it is an art really.  Most of India has no traffic lights and no lines on the road and cars/trucks weave in and out, passing each other whenever possible- jumping back into their designated side of the road just in the nick of time.. . as well as sharing the road with pedestrians, bicycles, rickshaws, and tuk tuks (or as you would say in Ghana "trow trows"- passanger vehicles usually crammed with people).  Many times the roads are narrow and not well paved.  To say the least, it's a breathtaking experience, but I learned to totally trust our driver.  I gained a certain reverence and awe for his talent for sure!  (Did I mention that I love India;-)

Here are a few more pictures from  our time in the beautiful Dharamasala, land of the Dalai Lama, Tibetan monks and refugees:

A little Tibetan boy standing on the basketball court in the complex where Tibetan government  officials  and employees live.

Pasang's wife, Sella, rinsing the henna out of Anahata's hair with fresh, cold mountain spring water!

Arriving back at Relax Hotel in Delhi, we got to say "hello" to 2 newly arrived Australian pilgrims and then this morning as we had breakfast on the balcony 5 of the Brazilian pilgrims arrived- it was very joyful.  Alot of excitement in the air!!!  Tomorrow is the day we all gather and begin the adventure together.  I have a feeling it's going to be an amazing and wonderful time!  

What a relief!

At the moment I'm in the house of Tibetan refugee Pasang Dorjee in Dharamsala, India which is in the foot hills of the Himalayas.  We arrived in this town yesterday evening . ..and what a relief!  It is really gorgeous here and the air is so much more clean and crisp compared to where we have been so far in India.  It's quieter and so much more peaceful. . .it's so nice to be in a place with so much more vegetation. ..surrounded by beautiful nature which I have been craving prior to coming here.  Here is a view from our hotel balcony:

Prior to coming here we spent a couple days in Ludhiana where the textile merchants have a big market.  Anahata did some buying for her shawl business which helps to support Pasang's family.  We went through hundreds of beautiful samples of stoles and shawls.  It was fun and also somewhat overwhelming!

While we are here in Dharamsala we are making sure that everything is set for this portion of the pilgrimage.  Pilgrims start arriving Monday and the pilgrimage officially starts on Wed.  So Anahata and I along with Pasang make our 11 hour journey back to Delhi tomorrow!

We have arrived!!

Well, I have been in India now for about 24 hours.  We arrived at 1:30am earlier today and it's now almost 12am as I sit in a quaint bamboo infused internet cafe in the heart of Paharganj Market to catch up on emails and grab an evening meal.    I have to say it is official, I am in love!  From the minute I stepped out of the airport quite frankly- something in the atmosphere and then waking up and walking out onto the balcony of the hotel overlooking the street- the sights, sounds, smells. . .all intoxicating to me.

Anahata enjoying a cup of tea on our hotel balcony

This is the view from our hotel

Later, walking through the market, mesmorized by all the beautiful Indian crafts- the colors, the artistry as incense burned in the air mixing with the smells of exotic, ancient perfumes and then of course, there are the cows wandering about freely, the rickshaws, bicycles, motorbikes all whizzing by.  It was hard not to go crazy spending money on scarves, embroidered tapestries, clothes etc.  For now I've only purchased 5 beautifully decorated/embroidered pillow covers for about $2 a piece!  But I'm sure I that's not the end of my shopping especially at these prices!!!

To close, for  now, I just need to write how grateful I am.  The trip over was so smooth!  Great timing, seats and company!  We were met at the airport and whisked away to a quaint, older, very Indian hotel right in the market area and ended our night with a hot shower and a cup of chai tea.  I'm so grateful for this experience of being in such an exotic culture with so many beautiful people and I look forward to the myriad of adventures that await us and that will transform us!