[1/10]
A young monk ensures that the burning lamps don’t run out of ghee.
A young monk ensures that the burning lamps don’t run out of ghee.
[2/10]
Monks gather in the main courtyard at Rumtek Monastery. Preparations are on in full swing to celebrate the birthday of His Holiness The 17th Karmapa, on the next day. Every year, The Karmapa’s birthday is a big cause for celebration across the monastery, and brings everyone together, despite differences in age, experience and knowledge, to come together and celebrate.
Monks gather in the main courtyard at Rumtek Monastery. Preparations are on in full swing to celebrate the birthday of His Holiness The 17th Karmapa, on the next day. Every year, The Karmapa’s birthday is a big cause for celebration across the monastery, and brings everyone together, despite differences in age, experience and knowledge, to come together and celebrate.
[3/10]
A young lama watches the preparations in progress.
A young lama watches the preparations in progress.
[4/10]
A senior monk watches a full practice of the drama act and song and dance performances one last time before the final day.
A senior monk watches a full practice of the drama act and song and dance performances one last time before the final day.
[5/10]
Army presence is quite strong at Rumtek, it being one of the more high profile monasteries in all of Sikkim. The preparation as well as the birthday celebration are events where the security is upped substantially, and complete vigilance is expected of all armed forces personnel guarding different entry and exit checkpoints.
Army presence is quite strong at Rumtek, it being one of the more high profile monasteries in all of Sikkim. The preparation as well as the birthday celebration are events where the security is upped substantially, and complete vigilance is expected of all armed forces personnel guarding different entry and exit checkpoints.
[6/10]
Nalanda Cafe stays open till 10 pm, allowing monks to catch a short break or grab a snack when need be. Everyone is welcome, dogs included.
Nalanda Cafe stays open till 10 pm, allowing monks to catch a short break or grab a snack when need be. Everyone is welcome, dogs included.
[7/10]
We grab dinner with Kinzang Dorji, the disciplinary incharge here at Rumtek. His meal includes brown rice, thin daal (lentil soup), potato with cheese, some greens and red chillies to add spice and flavour.
We grab dinner with Kinzang Dorji, the disciplinary incharge here at Rumtek. His meal includes brown rice, thin daal (lentil soup), potato with cheese, some greens and red chillies to add spice and flavour.
[8/10]
A few hours to go, army personnel patrol the main courtyard. Tensions run high as constant rains seem to be a pertinent problem.
A few hours to go, army personnel patrol the main courtyard. Tensions run high as constant rains seem to be a pertinent problem.
[9/10]
Next day, celebrations begin as a jam-packed audience watches on.
Next day, celebrations begin as a jam-packed audience watches on.
[10/10]
Jumps and acrobatics, part of the performance, enthral the audiences, as excited exclamations, sighs and laughter fill the courtyard.
Jumps and acrobatics, part of the performance, enthral the audiences, as excited exclamations, sighs and laughter fill the courtyard.
