INDIA. Culture, colors and courage.
VARANASI
India’s Spiritual capital. The Ganges, Prayers and a Sunrise. Orange flowers, 1000 candles, and constant celebrations of the life of the dead. I remember I kept asking myself how Indians could find the mental space to create a moment of reflexión, mourning, and inner peace with so many constant loud noises. I guessed they were part of who they are. Cultures are amazing.
THE GANGES RIVER
Also called Ganga, is the longes river in India, flowing for 2525 km from the Himalayan Mountains in northern India, to the Bay of Bengal, near the border with Bangladesh. The Ganges has the second greatest water discharge in the world, and its basin is the most heavily populated with over 400 million people living by it.
KITE FLYER
The kid's historical pastime.
WOMEN OF DHARAMSHALA
Women in mountainous India are in charge of taking care of the cattle. This involves finding food in a high altitude area where grass doesn’t grow.
BRIGHT ORANGE
In traditional rural Indian villages, men receive guests, share their hashish, and women prepare food and tea to honor them. Their preparation includes finding and carrying wood to start the fire, the water and the food.
ROYAL ENFIELDS
Royal Enfields are definitely the preferred mode of transport in mountainous India. The Governor of Dharamkot uses it to tour his village and visit neighbours. Dharamkot is a small hill station in the Kangra district in the state of Himachal Pradesh, India.
SIKHISM - RELIGION, PHILOSOPHY, AND CAST
Due to the Mughal persecution of minorities, Sikhs later developed into a military cast which followed the 5 K’s: Kesh - uncut hair, reason for the turban Kangra - wooden comb for the hair Kara - iron bracelet, symbolizing a shield Kachera - 100% cotton undergarments Kirpan - iron dagger to defend oneself (they actually carry it around) Sikhs run communal kitchens where people from any culture, place or religion can have a free meal if they need it. And anyone can volunteer to pay for the meal or not, any time they wish.
INDIAN COLORS
Colors in India have connections to religion and politics and are a fundamental part of festivals and celebrations. Their use and interpretation may vary by region, due to India’s cultural and religious diversity. Usually, pastel hues are found in the northern part of the country and bright hues in the south.
THE BALLON MAN
Jodhpur Market attractions
SPICES: INDIA'S TREASURE
In the Indian civilization, trading of spices has been integrally connected to its history. Between the 7th to 15th centuries, Arab merchants supplied spices to Europe, and for a very long time, kept their source of spices in India a closely guarded secret. Many sea voyages set sail from Europe in search of India for its spices. Over time, spices began to be exploited commercially by foreign traders. Ayurveda believed that spices, with their medicinal qualities, could infuse health into the diet. For centuries, the social system of medicine was closely linked to the culinary culture of ancient India.
