A VISIONARY JOURNEY TO THE EAST

NORTH INDIA

       After landing in Mumbai, we headed north, visiting Hindu and Buddhist temples - always with an eye open for visionary imagery. After the caves Ellora and Ajanta, we suffered a succession of train, bus and auto-rickshaw rides to reach the Great Stupa of Sanchi. Then, the week of Holi was spent at the temples of Khajuraho, with their mix of spiritual and sexual imagery. After Delhi, we followed the Ganges to Varanasi, the Holy City of Hinduism. Another gruelling bus ride brought us to Bodh Gaya, centre of Buddhist pilgrimmages.

ELLORA
The Kailasa temple
carved top-down
from one solid stone

SANCHI
Detail of
North gate

THE GREAT STUPA OF SANCHI
housing the Buddha's relics
2nd century BC

KHAJURAHO TEMPLES
Kandariya Mahadev
and Devi Jagadambi
9th century AD

KHAJURAHO ALTAR
A bizarre
Giger-esque
image

KHAJURAHO
Gods, demons
and erotic sculptures

KHAJURAHO
Ceiling detail:
Lionine gargoyles

KHAJURAHO ALTAR
Another
Giger-esque
image

KHAJURAHO
Unique styling in the figures
(Note the elongated eyes)

VARANASI
Cremating bodies
on the banks of the holy river

VARANASI
Boat ride
on the Ganges

VARANASI
Morning prayers
and absolutions

FAMILY TIWARI
Florence (in sari) with
Ramesh and Sakuntala Tiwari
and their five children

BODH GAYA
The Bodhi Tree,
Mahabodhi temple
where the Buddha
attained enlightenment

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Continue the
Visionary Journey to the East
with:
Nepal and Tibet
or return to:
Main Gallery

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