Sani Festival, Zanskar valley, India
Sani festival is a big event in the Zanskar. People from all over Zanskar, dressed in their festive best come to Sani for this festival. Everyone is in a gung ho mood meeting friends and relatives. It is a great moment to soak in the camaraderie and the joyous atmosphere. Read more at Sani festival: Colourful victory of good over evil
Inside Sani Monastery in Zanskar, India
These are the musical instruments used in Buddhist prayers. They provide rhythm to the dances of the Sani festival. Read more about the festival at Sani festival: Colourful victory of good over evil
Sani Monastery, Zanskar, India
These are the scenes inside the Sani monastery, host of the Sani festival, a two-day riot of colour, dance and music. It is an important festival in the Zanskar valley. People from far-flung villages of Zanskar travel here for the festival. Read more at Sani festival: Colourful victory of good over evil
Monks at Sani Monastery in Zanskar, India
The Sani monastery hosts the Sani festival, a two-day riot of colour, dance and music. It is an important festival in the Zanskar valley. People from far-flung villages of Zanskar travel here for the festival. Read more at Sani festival: Colourful victory of good over evil
Morning prayers at Sani Monastery in Zanskar, India
The Sani monastery hosts the Sani festival, a two-day riot of colour, dance and music. It is an important festival in the Zanskar valley. People from far-flung villages of Zanskar travel here for the festival. Read more at Sani festival: Colourful victory of good over evil
Inside Sani Monastery, Zanskar valley, India
This is the interiors of the Sani monastery on the day of the Sani festival. Sani is one of the oldest monasteries in Zanskar. Devotees have offered "kathas", white silk scarfs offered as a mark of respect to the idols. Read more at Sani festival: Colourful victory of good over evil
A member of Women's Alliance group in Sani, Zanskar , India
A member of a group called Women's Alliance had come all the way from Ladakh for the Sani festival. A two-day riot of colour, dance and music, the Sani Festival is the perfect way to build a social camaraderie among the far-flung villages of the Zanskar valley. Read more at Sani festival: Colourful victory of good over evil
A member of Women's Alliance group in Sani, Zanskar , India
A member of a group called Women's Alliance had come all the way from Ladakh for the Sani festival. A two-day riot of colour, dance and music, the Sani Festival is the perfect way to build a social camaraderie among the far-flung villages of the Zanskar valley. Read more at Sani festival: Colourful victory of good over evil
Cooking lessons in Sani, Zanskar, India
She was the daughter of the family we stayed with in Sani. Her deftness in rolling these chapatis just with her hands was striking and I asked her for some cooking lessons. Read more on Simple life of Sani.
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Holy lake of Sani, Zanskar valley, India
A holy lake named Tuthot is the main landmark of Sani. Next to this holy lake is a big camping ground. Read more on Simple life of Sani.
Holy lake of Sani, Zanskar valley, India
A holy lake named Tuthot is the main landmark of Sani. Next to this holy lake is a big camping ground. Read more on Simple life of Sani.
Happy faces at Sani, Zanskar, India
Walking around Sani, we sensed a relaxed pace of life, like never before. Life was as basic as it gets and the inhabitants mingled together as one big family. Read more on Simple life of Sani.
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Sani, Zanskar valley, India
Religion and prayers, as a way of life, was unmissable. Prayer beads and Mani wheels were ubiquitous. Living in the midst of such harsh nature, it was not really surprising! Read more on Simple life of Sani.
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Cooker parade at Sani in Zanskar Valley, India
The kitchen of the homestay we stayed at in Sani, Zanskar. Read more on Simple life of Sani.
Hand grinder, Zanskar valley, India
Read more on Simple life of Sani.
Homestay at Sani, Zanskar valley, India
This was our homestay in Sani. It was the house of the only shopkeeper in the entire Sani village. She was the daughter of the house and in charge of the kitchen responsibilities. She even gave us some impromptu cooking lessons. Read more on Simple life of Sani.
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Sani Monastery decorated for Festival, Zanskar valley, India
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Local food from Sani village in Zanskar, India
We got a chance to attend a post wedding party during our stay in the Sani village of Zanskar. Local homemade bread served with a spicy tangy pickle and yogurt was one of the delicacies served at the wedding. Read more about the Simple life in Sani.
Woman from Sani village in Zanskar, India
We got a chance to attend a post wedding party during our stay in the Sani village of Zanskar. This woman is showing off the local home made bread served at the event. Read more about the Simple life in Sani.
Man from Sani village in Zanskar, India
We got a chance to attend a post wedding party during our stay in the Sani village of Zanskar. Read more about the Simple life in Sani.
Man from Sani village in Zanskar, India
We got a chance to attend a post wedding party during our stay in the Sani village of Zanskar. Read more about the Simple life in Sani.
Wedding party at Sani, in Zanskar, India
We got a chance to attend a post wedding party during our stay in the Sani village of Zanskar. Read more about the Simple life in Sani.
"Chang", the staple drink of Zanskar
This is a tub full of Chang , the staple drink of Zanskar, brewed by fermenting barley. It flows freely on any special occasion; from young to old, everyone relishes it. Read more about the Simple life of Sani.
Lemon tea from Ladakh, India
Tea is served in small porcelain cups like this in the Ladakh region in India. Rows of decorative cups are proudly displayed on the kitchen shelves. Locals in this region have a special butter tea. But to tourists, they will ask for your preference. Read more on Simple life of Sani.
Local bread from Sani in Zanskar, India
Read more about the Simple life in Sani.
Local bread from Sani in Zanskar, India
Read more about the Simple life in Sani.
Wedding party at Sani, in Zanskar, India
Brewed by fermenting barley, Chang is the staple drink of Zanskar. It flows freely on any special occasion; from young to old, everyone relishes it. Read more about the Simple life in Sani.
"Chang", the staple drink of Zanskar
Brewed by fermenting barley, Chang is the staple drink of Zanskar. It flows freely on any special occasion; from young to old, everyone relishes it. Read more about the Simple life in Sani.
Ongoing prayers to God, Zanskar, India
Religion and prayers, as a way of life, was unmissable. Prayer beads and Mani wheels were ubiquitous. Living in the midst of such harsh nature, it was not really surprising! Read more about the Simple life in Sani.
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Girls having some fun, Sani, Zanskar valley, India
Joys of a simple life; these girls are trying to run away from another one (with the back to the camera) splashing water on them. This is in a small village called Sani in the Zanskar valley. Read more about the Simple life in Sani.
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Girls having some fun, Sani, Zanskar, India
Joys of a simple life; these girls are trying to run away from their friend splashing water on them. This is in a small village called Sani in the Zanskar valley. Read more about the Simple life in Sani.
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Stupas in Sani, Zanskar
Three stupas mark the entrance of every village in Zanskar. Read more about Simple life in Sani.
Lunch at our homestay in Sani
Sani, Zanskar valley, India
Lunch at our homestay in Sani
Sani, Zanskar valley, India
The group that traveled in the trucks to Zanskar
Unavoidable circumstances forced us to halt overnight in the middle of nowhere. We spent the night in one of the trucks. This was the farewell picture we took with our kind drivers the next morning, after we had finally made it to Zanskar.
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Drang Drung glacier en route Zanskar
From atop the Penzi la, this was the closest we got to the Drang Drung glacier. Read more about Mountain passes we crossed in the Himalayas.
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Landscapes en route Zanskar
The meandering gravel path is how much of the 250 km, only motor-able "road" to Zanskar is.
Drang Drung glacier on Penzila enroute Zanskar, India
We saw the Drang Drung glacier after crossing the highest point at 4200 meters, of Penzi la, the only mountain pass en route Zanskar. It was an enormous glacier, melting in full flow at the peak of summer. Read more about Mountain passes we crossed in the Himalayas.
Drang Drung glacier on Penzila enroute Zanskar, India
We saw the Drang Drung glacier after crossing the highest point at 4200 meters, of Penzi la, the only mountain pass en route Zanskar. It was an enormous glacier, melting in full flow at the peak of summer. Read more about Mountain passes we crossed in the Himalayas.
The truck driver who drove us to Zanskar, India
He was one of the drivers of the truck we traveled in, on the way to Zanskar. This was his maiden trip to this remote valley. While we covered ourselves in sweaters and caps, he refused to wear any warm wear.
Landscapes en route Zanskar
It was late afternoon when we crossed the Penzi la, the landscape was starting to "feel" cold! Read more about Mountain passes we crossed in the Himalayas.
On the Penzi la en route Zanskar
Our truck trudges through Penzi la, the only pass on the only motor-able road that connects Zanskar valley to the rest of India. Read more about Mountain passes we crossed in the Himalayas.
Landscapes en route Zanskar
The rugged browns of the Greater Himalayas give company after crossing the Penzi la. Soon after Rangdum is Penzi la, the only mountain pass on the way to Zanskar. The water the glacier melt of Drang Drung glacier, the source of the Suru river.
Landscapes en route Zanskar
Soon after Rangdum is Penzi la, the only mountain pass on the way to Zanskar.
Landscapes en route Zanskar
Soon after Rangdum is Penzi la, the only mountain pass on the way to Zanskar.
Landscapes en route Zanskar
Soon after Rangdum is Penzi la, the only mountain pass on the way to Zanskar.
Kids at Rangdum, Kargil, India
Modeling was in her blood and her spontaneity and ease in front of the camera made her a pleasure to shoot. She was posing as if it was a routine for her. Considering that she lived in the remote and isolated little hamlet of Rangdum, on the way to the Zanskar valley, her natural response to the camera was surprising and endearing. Read more of the kids we met at The kids of the hills…
Kids at Rangdum, Kargil, India
Read more of the kids we met at The kids of the hills…