Annapurna Region: Religion

Nepal is a Hindu majority country, but the Annapurna region showed far more evidence of Buddhism. Christianity was rarely evident. I saw no evidence of Islam or other religions there.

I do not claim to be an expert on eastern religion. Anyone who knows better and sees an error below should feel free to contact me.

Buddhism

Buddhas, stupas and prayer flags seemed to be everywhere, especially in high places …

Budhha is in the center of town at Ghorepani

Buddha watches over Muktinath (left), Jharkot (more distant) and the entire area.

Sacred waterspouts behind Buddha

Bells near the Buddha in Muktinath. I only saw them here.

Barbed wire guards a temple. Huh?

Constructing a stupa

This Buddhist monastery is being refurbished (including a paint job). From this vantage point, the monks will undoubtedly be able to think exalted thoughts.

Poles like this measure snow depth in winter. But that doesn’t prevent them from being used to hold prayer flags.

A good example of a mani stone. It proclaims the famous Buddhist mantra “Om Mani Padme Hum” in the Newari language.

Bottom right: Stupa. Center: Gompa (monastery). Top: Badlands.

The entrance to a Buddhist monastery

I assume monks live here. The place seemed almost deserted when I passed through.

Stupas are often located in high places and require a significant climb to reach them.

Bhuddist paintings adorn the walls of this stupa

A very long mani wall. Don't neglect the stupa high on the hill above. — A very long mani wall. Don’t neglect the stupa high on the hill above.

See the chorten or stupa in the middle at the top? They are often placed in dramatic locations.

An altar (I presume) and other Buddhist items were featured in this hotel’s dining room.

The Buddha statue in Lower Pisang with its prayer flags that stretch up into the mountain

Did you ever wonder what’s on the ceiling of a stupa? It’s a mandala, a diagram of the universe.

This stupa also serves to welcome visitors to Chame

An altar inside the stupa and next to the mani wheel

A large mani wheel that contains thousands or even millions of prayers seems to be a shortcut to nirvana

"Take yourself as an example." Huh? I get the rest. — “Take yourself as an example.” Huh? I get the rest.

Mani walls are common in villages. Be sure to walk on the left and spin the mani wheels with your right hand.

Buddhist prayer flags span long distances at high elevation (16,000 ft) and brave powerful winds near Thorung High Camp

I continue a little way beyond Annapurna Basecamp. It seemed as if few trekkers did so. Even here there were prayer flags.

Salient commentary attributed (possibly falsely) to the current Dalai Lama is displayed on the wall of a hotel’s dining room at Thorung Phedi.

Buddhism and Hinduism

Buddhism and Hinduism coexist peacefully, but recent anti-conversion laws are a concern for other religions.

Hinduism

Most of these places were very modest. I have tentatively called them shrines; if this is inaccurate, please correct me.

Some sort of shrine(?) overlooks a steep descent (that’s quite a bit longer than you can see here).

A relatively attractive Hindu shrine or temple or something else

A collection box for the local school has been placed next to this shrine(?)

A shrine(?) on a hillside

Hindu god Shiva with his trishula (trident)

Christianity

Only a few church buildings were evident.

%d bloggers like this: