We also some took unforgettable excursions from Laran Kelo. Every year in Kullu there is the great festival known as Dussehra which is along the lines of the Show but somewhat more magnificent, vibrant and huge! We cut a magnificent swathe through the crowds - Mataji in flowing cloth leading us - Helen Janette Diane, and me at the tail - down the aisles, into stalls, I just loved it - everything that was sterile or missing, Viv, from our visit to RAS this year, was alive and thumping at Dussehra.


The following week we went to Rohtang Pass which is at 15,000 ft and is the pass into Lahoul in one direction and Spiti in the other.

Towards Spiti

Looking towards Lahoul

Guruji & Mataji, Rohtang Pass

On the way back down we came across these magnificent snow eagles. Saw snow eagles again when I travelling towards Mandi on my way to Shimla. They were on the opposite bank of the Beas River 'hopping' up the cliff.

In early December I walked up to Naggar with Dianne on some errands. Naggar is about 3 kms from the ashram and is the site of an older capital.

This Ganesh temple is just past Laran Kelo on the way up to Naggar.

After we hiked up to Naggar Castle for a cup of tea.

The Shiva temple is on the way back down via a shortcut through the upper village.

The most beautiful place was of course, OM Ashram. This is the view of the valley facing towards Putli Kuhl,

...and with Rebecca on the lentel in the foreground, looking to the other side of the valley.