Swat trip – 6: Torkadara and Amlukdara Stupas

Next via Barikot to the Torkadara   (dara means gorge) ( Najigram) and Amlukdara Stupas which are a few kilometers apart from each other. The way to Torkadara Stupa passes very narrow windy roads. After this to Torkadara Stupa which has the scenic Elam Mountain in the background.  “Legend tells of a serpent king, the … Continued

Swat trip – 5: King Indrabuti Palace ruins

The next morning we paid a visit the Palace of King Indrabuti, in Udegram. There is approximately a 30 minute walk from the entrance to the site of King Indrabuti’s palace ruins. From the ruins of the palace there is a scenic view over Udegram ( ancient scriptures describe as Uri ) and the snowy … Continued

Swat trip – 4: Swat Museum and Butkada Stupa

Next we visited the Swat Museum, in Saidusharif town. Here, amongst many different other artifacts, are foot prints of Buddha and a rock carving which is believed to possibly be a carving of Padmasabhava. (See: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swat_Museum ) Not far from here, we went to Butkadah 1 Stupa which is said to have had many carvings … Continued

Swat trip – 3: Jahanabad Buddha carving

The Jahanabad Buddha rock carving lies in a side valley off the main River Swat near the road from Saidu Sharif and Mingora which  tracks along the edge of the main river.  It is a huge 7th-century Buddha carved on a cliff dominating the approach up the valley. At six meters tall the Jahanabad Buddha … Continued

Swat trip – 2: Shingdara Stupa and Galligay Buddha

Our first stop in the Swat valley being Shingadara (Ghandhara Stupa) which has a relic of Buddha in it. The Shingardar stupa was identified by Colonel Deane and S.A Stein with the famous stupa built by King Uttarasena on the spot where the white elephant that carried the Kings share of the relics of the … Continued

Swat trip – 1: Takht-i-Bahi

We arrived in Islamabad on the evening of the 15th May and left the next morning to head towards the Swat valley (Swat from the word Suesto which means fair dwelling), a valley rich in cultural heritage dating back for thousands of years. This and other areas in Pakistan had rich, abundant, thriving and flourishing … Continued

Saga Dawa: the Month of Merits

Saga Dawa, the 4th lunar month which runs from 31st May until 29th June 2022, is known as the month of merits, it is also called bumgyur dawa, which means “merits multiplied by a hundred thousand times”. Accordingly, practitioners make extra efforts during this month in practicing Dharma, generosity, kindness and compassion accumulating virtuous merit … Continued

Happy Losar – Tashi Deleg 2022

In this Tibetan New Year, sincerely wish for world peace, prosperity for all, harmony in the society, unity amongst the people, freedom/ relief from the pandemic and sickness, happiness for everyone ; wishing all family and friends, good health, happiness and Tashi Deleg!

Visiting Namo Buddha

Visiting Namo Buddha – the place where Buddha, due to his compassion, offered his body to a starving tigress and her five cubs. The Stupa nearby which is said to contain his relics: Also went to go pay respects, make offerings to 9 practitioners who were coming out of a 3 year 3 month and 3 day … Continued