Religions | GRRRL TRAVELER

Video: The Monkey Temple in Kathmandu

Filed under Nepal, Photo Essays by Christine Ka'aloa on January 10, 2010 at 4:38 am {2 comments}

by Christine Ka’aloa

Swayambhunath Stupa “aka the Monkey Temple“, Kathmandu, Nepal

Located atop a forest hillside overlooking the Kathmandu Valley is one of the most ancient and revered religious sites in Kathmandu- Swayambhunath Stupa. The stupa is claimed to be over 2,000 years old and is a re-known pilgrimage site for many devout Hindus and Buddhists in Nepal. It is also known as The Monkey Temple, as it is home to over a hundred resident monkeys which roam the area. Ever fantasized about having a pet monkey when you were a child? Then this will be a small part of (more…)

Video: “Sunrise on the Ganges”, Varanasi

Filed under Photo Essays, Religious by Christine Ka'aloa on June 10, 2009 at 5:03 pm {no comments}

GrrrlTraveler’s Postcard Diaries: Sunrise on the Ganges, Varanasi, India
(2min video)

…My boat cruise down the ganges at 6A felt beautifully special …and not, with reason that at least a 100 of other tourist boats were out on the waters racing to make the length of the Ganges before sunrise! By boat is the only way to see the overall bathing ghat life, morning sun salutations, chanting, meditations, yoga postures and people washing their clothes on Ganges. Man, woman and child are there- a dip in the Ganga water is considered holy and purifying, so many lather up and take a baths in it too! Most are so devout and absorbed in their water ritual, they can be nonchalant about the 100+ tourists boats observing and photographing their every move.
[Excerpt from "Varanasi's Humorous Underbelly"-- Click here for actual blog...]