STUNNING Sri Lanka!

Hi...just back from a comprehensive tour to this incredibly gifted nation just out of a long drawn civil war. Mesmerizing landscapes, impregnable forts, tucked away caves, expansive national parks with abundant wildlife and birds, ancient cities of historical importance, sprawling tea and spice plantations, beautiful and simple people, flora and fauna, soft golden sands with azure blue waters, shopping opportunities and a unassuming cuisine to awaken the most jaded taste buds makes this a 'must visit' destination in Asia! Truly an Emerald Island!!

Moving Clouds offers custom made breaks to this lovely drop of nectar in the Indian Ocean!

Travel Peace! Bylakuppe, South Karnataka

Pic-1: A group of western monks training at Sera Jey

Pic-2: The Sera Jey University for Advanced Buddhist Studies

Pic-3: Inside the Namdroling Temple


Pic-4: The Majestic Namdroling Temple (also known as the Golden Temple)

It was that time of the year when the need for a footloose yet purposeful vacation grew dire. Moreover, i was informed that the HH the Dalai Lama was to be in Bylakuppe during this period. This settlement is located about 100kms from Mysore and is the largest of Tibetan settlements outside of Tibet. It is today the nerve centre for Tibetan Buddhist studies with the Universities of Namdroling and Sera Jey being the beacons, imparting teachings in Buddhist philosophy of the purest and highest order by Rinpoches (Masters) of great accomplishments.

Inbetween exploring and learning sessions, what caught my attention was this relatively large group of young westerners, once laity like us, training to be monks! I was intrigued to find out what drove them all the way here from their land of plenty to be ordained as monks, lead simple lives and undergo the rigours of 18years and more, of continuous training and practices, before graduating as Buddhist masters. I had the good fortune of meeting extensively with a few of them to seek insights of their motivations and message they have for the samsaric world.

Small home stays and guest houses, clean and humble, mostly run by resident Tibetans, are on offer to compliment one's stay. A great getaway to stitch-up tattered urban nerves!

Aaaah....Sikkim!

A few months ago on a spiritual sojourn to Bodh Gaya, forces of the universe conspired to further my journey into the landlocked state of Sikkim! And was i smitten? Sample this: To wake up on Diwali day and realize the meaning of the phrase "festival of lights" as being the silent golden glow of the first rays of the sun bounce off the lording massif of Mt. Kanchendzonga! Not to be outdone, equally stunning are her lovely sisters, the peaks of Kabru, Pandim, Simvo, Narsing. Isn't this what some people called nirvana? And ofcourse the innumerable walks and hikes that one can take in almost wherever one is located far from the hustle bustle of the capital. Here are some snapshots to share with you from somewhere in West Sikkim.

Mind-blowing Mewar!

Living in opulent palaces, castles & fort hotels, gorging on preperations that were bestowed with a time tested & perfected symphony of condiments, chatting up with erstwhile royalty taking a peep into their world, feasting our eyes on immaculate craftmanship, grandeur and natural setting, Rajasthan and specifically Mewar has it all! To cap it, ushering in the New Years amidst the Aravallis, had us mesmerized! Wonderful 2010..may every noble aspiration of yours bear early fruit! (pic credit..yours truly!)