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| I have been traveling and living all over the world, and it is an honor to have met such wonderful people and experience so many amazing cultures and languages. | ||
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Here I am in Southern India in a small village outside of Madurai which is surrounded by lovely rose plantations. Children come running and everyone is so excited when people visit them, especially those who love the roses! There is a market where the most beautiful flowers of the area are available every day, new and fresh. Due to the heat, Coconut water was the best thirst quencher and readily shared! | |
| Now in the village of Coimbatore the smell of Jasmine is abundant at sunset and through the night. The flowers bloom in the evening so they must be harvested then. The Jasmine plantation is maintained by families with the friendliest, softest children! Since fragrance is an integral part of the Indian culture, it acts as a key to deeper things... |
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The Himalayan Mountains are host to the quaint village of Dharamasala, which has welcomed many people from Tibet. I was in this part of Northern India for cedar wood, which provides a delicious, sweet oil which is simply wonderful for skin care. Here I visit the Temple and gently turn the Tibetan 'prayer wheels.' As one turns the wheels it is the custom to do so in prayer as this is a rather sacred moment, and I honor it. | |
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It is important to note that not all the flowers are harvested for our use, many are for the Temple as gifts of worship, offerings, and thus the villages not only provide income, but the continuation of their Spiritual heritage. |
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Garlands are used to adorn the images of the gods and goddesses, in marriage ceremonies and for welcoming guests! Garlands were presented to religious leaders so that their discourses would be filled with divine inspiration. Flowers woven into garlands were seen as a reminder to the people that human life was intertwined with nature. At the Temple, my traveling companion realized she knew one of the Monks! I must tell you this amazing man exuded such a joy and sense of love and peace that I had not experienced anywhere else. The Monks are totally selfless, yet maintain such a demeanor of understanding of self. I was, and still am, in awe of their inner beauty that shined so bright. |
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| One of my greatest joys is the opportunity to meet such warm, welcoming people, albeit a tiny bit shy for such a silly thing as a camera! Here, still in the North of India, in the area of Kangra Valley, roses are farmed. Very early in the morning everyone begins the harvest of the entire flower, the first step in the process of producing the essential rose oil and rose water. Back to Top |
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