A collection of photographs around my travels across Punjab, Northern India.
Hanuman, Mcloeod Ganj Dharamsala
At the circus, Amritsar
At the circus, Amritsar
At the circus, Amritsar
At the circus, Amritsar
The Railways were first introduced to India by the British in the mid 19th century. Today it is one of the world’s largest networks-consisting of 115,000 km of tracks over a route of 65,000 km through 7,000 stations. Annually the Indian Railways has carried over 8 billion people or more than 23 million passengers a day. It is also the worlds 7th largest commercial employer. -Amritsar Station Punjab, India November 2015 “Railway termini are our gates to the glorious and the unknown. Through them we pass out into adventure and sunshine, to them, alas! we return.” E. M. Forster
At the circus, Amritsar
The Railways were first introduced to India by the British in the mid 19th century. Today it is one of the world’s largest networks-consisting of 115,000 km of tracks over a route of 65,000 km through 7,000 stations. Annually the Indian Railways has carried over 8 billion people or more than 23 million passengers a day. It is also the worlds 7th largest commercial employer. -Amritsar Station Punjab, India November 2015 “Railway termini are our gates to the glorious and the unknown. Through them we pass out into adventure and sunshine, to them, alas! we return.” E. M. Forster
At the circus, Amritsar
The Sikhs, Amritsar
At the circus, Amritsar
Lovers in Delhi
The Amritsar Railway is located in the Northern Indian State of Punjab. Established in 1862 it can lead you to the highest hill stations down to the humid coasts of Bombay. To this day it is one of the top booking stations of the Indian Railway
Hayuman’s Tomb, Delhi
Meetha. A sweet shop along Mcleod Ganj leading to the Dalai Lama’s monastery. India November 2015
Hayuman’s Tomb, Delhi
Amritsar
Dharamsala, meaning “spiritual dwelling” in Sanskrit, is situated almost 5,000 feet in the district of Kangra and the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It is aptly named- as the Dalai Lama has called it home since 1959. The main monastery of The Dalai Lama is located in a higher suburb of Mcleod Ganj. Thousands of Tibetans followed His Holiness to live in this “Little Dhasa” or the Tibetan government in exile in India. FREE TIBET. November 2015
Hanuman. The monkey god. Mcleod Ganj, Dharamsala
Dharamsala, meaning “spiritual dwelling” in Sanskrit, is situated almost 5,000 feet in the district of Kangra and the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It is aptly named- as the Dalai Lama has called it home since 1959. The main monastery of The Dalai Lama is located in a higher suburb of Mcleod Ganj. Thousands of Tibetans followed His Holiness to live in this “Little Dhasa” or the Tibetan government in exile in India. FREE TIBET. November 2015
Dharamsala, meaning “spiritual dwelling” in Sanskrit, is situated almost 5,000 feet in the district of Kangra and the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It is aptly named- as the Dalai Lama has called it home since 1959. The main monastery of The Dalai Lama is located in a higher suburb of Mcleod Ganj. Thousands of Tibetans followed His Holiness to live in this “Little Dhasa” or the Tibetan government in exile in India. FREE TIBET. November 2015
“There are only two days in the year that nothing can be done. One is called Yesterday and the other is called Tomorrow. Today is the right day to Love, Believe, Do and mostly Live.” – Dalai Lama.
“Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive.”― Dalai Lama A Buddhist monk walks through a narrow alley while a Hindu Sadhu sits by a local store along McLeod Ganj. There are over a billion people in India but the tolerance for other religions is fairly strong. Dalai Lama Temple, McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala India November 2015
Dharamsala, meaning “spiritual dwelling” in Sanskrit, is situated almost 5,000 feet in the district of Kangra and the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It is aptly named- as the Dalai Lama has called it home since 1959. The main monastery of The Dalai Lama is located in a higher suburb of Mcleod Ganj. Thousands of Tibetans followed His Holiness to live in this “Little Dhasa” or the Tibetan government in exile in India. FREE TIBET. November 2015
“We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves”. Dalai Lama Dalai Lama Temple, McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala November 2015
The Pancha-varna in Sanskrit or The Five Pure Lights in Tibetan Buddhism carry specific meanings. Each color represents a mantra, a state of mind or the Buddha through meditation. Blue is associated with purity and healing. White is the color of learning and knowledge. Red is related to life force and preservation. Green is the color of balance and harmony. Yellow transforms pride into wisdom. November 2015 — at Dalai Lama Temple, McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala.
Dharamsala, meaning “spiritual dwelling” in Sanskrit, is situated almost 5,000 feet in the district of Kangra and the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It is aptly named- as the Dalai Lama has called it home since 1959. The main monastery of The Dalai Lama is located in a higher suburb of Mcleod Ganj. Thousands of Tibetans followed His Holiness to live in this “Little Dhasa” or the Tibetan government in exile in India. FREE TIBET. November 2015
Dharamsala, meaning “spiritual dwelling” in Sanskrit, is situated almost 5,000 feet in the district of Kangra and the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It is aptly named- as the Dalai Lama has called it home since 1959. The main monastery of The Dalai Lama is located in a higher suburb of Mcleod Ganj. Thousands of Tibetans followed His Holiness to live in this “Little Dhasa” or the Tibetan government in exile in India. FREE TIBET. November 2015
The Dhaba is a name given to an Indian roadside restaurant. Punjab is a haven for them. Some establishments go as far back as the early 20th century- everything served fresh and piping hot. Saag, kulchas, biryanis, chole, tandoori rotis, chicken to naan…the choices are endless. The bustling city of Amritsar, maddening beeps and psychotic driving will lead you from one food stall to another. Each with its own specialities. It is a constant search for the next heart clogging chilli infused fix- addictive like a drug. November 2015.
Amritsar
At the Mall, Amritsar
Do you sometimes feel like your head is going to explode? November 2015. India
Kela Wallah (Banana Man) Amritsar
Fresh produce, Amritsar
Pandit ji performs Lakshmi Puja at home and is considered a close member of our family. Devotees show reverence to the goddess Lakshmi by placing oil lamps and candles inside and outside their houses. Prayers for good health and prosperity. India, Diwali 2015
Pharmacy, Amritsar
grand dad’s bridge November 2015 — at Bhandari Bridge.
Ladies on motorcycle
Amritsar
Apple Punjab
The Golden Temple, Amritsar
The Golden Temple, Amritsar
The Golden Temple, Amritsar
A devotee at the Golden Temple,
Inside the world’s largest community kitchen. The Golden Temple langar feeds approximately 100,000 people daily- regardless of race, religion or creed. Amritsar, India November 2015
Inside the world’s largest community kitchen. Two volunteers hand out plates to the hungry. The Golden Temple langar feeds approximately 100,000 people daily- regardless of race, religion or creed. Amritsar, India November 2015
Inside the world’s largest community kitchen. The Golden Temple langar feeds approximately 100,000 people daily- regardless of race, religion or creed. Amritsar, India All photos (c) Shirin Bhandari 2017
Inside the world’s largest community kitchen. The Golden Temple langar feeds approximately 100,000 people daily- regardless of race, religion or creed. Amritsar, India All photos (c) Shirin Bhandari 2017
Inside the world’s largest community kitchen. The Golden Temple langar feeds approximately 100,000 people daily- regardless of race, religion or creed. Amritsar, India November 2015
Inside the world’s largest community kitchen. The Golden Temple langar feeds approximately 100,000 people daily- regardless of race, religion or creed. Amritsar, India All photos (c) Shirin Bhandari 2017
Sat Sri Akaal- in the Punjabi language is a form of greeting used particularly by the followers of the Sikh religion. Roughly translated it means “God is the ultimate truth”. The Golden Temple, Amritsar, Punjab India November 2015
Sardar Ji, Amritsar Railway Station
A night before Diwali, The Golden Temple Amritsar
Sat Sri Akaal- in the Punjabi language is a form of greeting used particularly by the followers of the Sikh religion. Roughly translated it means “God is the ultimate truth”. The Golden Temple, Amritsar, Punjab India November 2015
Sat Sri Akaal- in the Punjabi language is a form of greeting used particularly by the followers of the Sikh religion. Roughly translated it means “God is the ultimate truth”. The Golden Temple, Amritsar, Punjab India November 2015
A night before Diwali, The Golden Temple Amritsar
The Golden Temple, Amritsar
The Golden Temple, Amritsar
Himalayan rock salt or halite originate from mines in the the Punjabi region of Pakistan. It is sourced from the Khewra district. The foothills of the range are located about 300km from the Himalayas and about 290km from Amritsar, India. November 2015
Himachal is a Northern state that is bordered by Kashmir, Haryana, Uttarkhand and Punjab. Hima means snow in Sanskrit. The literal translation of the state’s name is “In the lap of the Himalayas”. This photograph was taken along the Hill station of Dharamsala.
Lassi is a refreshing traditional yogurt based drink that originates from Punjab, India. Usually served chilled, it can either be had savory or sweet; mixed with salt, ground cumin, turmeric, sugar, honey or fruits. Bhang lassi is a special variation which contains a liquid by-product of cannabis. Happy Days. November 2015.
The only place in the world Anthony Bourdain will go full on vegetarian. Estd. in 1916 and is considered as one of the best Dhaba’s in India — at Kesar Da Dhaba.
The only place in the world Anthony Bourdain will go full on vegetarian. Estd. in 1916 and is considered as one of the best Dhaba’s in India — at Kesar Da Dhaba.
Delhi on duty
Delhi
Delhi
Delhi
Delhi
The Dhaba is a name given to an Indian roadside restaurant. Punjab is a haven for them. Some establishments go as far back as the early 20th century- everything served fresh and piping hot. Saag, kulchas, biryanis, chole, tandoori rotis, chicken to naan…the choices are endless. The bustling city of Amritsar, maddening beeps and psychotic driving will lead you from one food stall to another. Each with its own specialties. It is a constant search for the next heart clogging chilli infused fix- addictive like a drug. Beera’s November 2015.
The Dhaba is a name given to an Indian roadside restaurant. Punjab is a haven for them. Some establishments go as far back as the early 20th century- everything served fresh and piping hot. Saag, kulchas, biryanis, chole, tandoori rotis, chicken to naan…the choices are endless. The bustling city of Amritsar, maddening beeps and psychotic driving will lead you from one food stall to another. Each with its own specialties. It is a constant search for the next heart clogging chilli infused fix- addictive like a drug. Beera’s November 2015.
Nimbu Wallah, Lemonade Man, Delhi
Delhi Incense Man
Shirin Bhandari 