Buddhist Prayer wheels - Tibetan Lamas Mani Wheel

Mani Wheel – Rotating Prayer Wheel used by Lamas

You would have seen strange rotating cylindrical objects in the hands of Buddhist Monks or Tibetan Lamas. Most people never know what that thing is called. It’s called a Mani Wheel. It’s an object of religious importance associated with Buddhist and Bon (old native religion of Leh, India) religions. Have a look at the Mani Wheel before we proceed to details about the mystic tool.










These are devices that are believed to spread religious blessings and well being around it when spun. The rotating drum contains long rolls of thin paper imprinted with sacred text. It reads “Om Mani Padme Hum” a Buddhist mantra. This mantra is said to be received form Avalokatishvara (Sanskrit) or Chenrezig (Tibetan), the deity that is the embodiment of compassion. The miniature rolls contain fine prints of this mantra repeated over and over again. The larger the mantra count the more the religious impact. So the size of a Mani Wheel significantly matters. See below some giant wheels at monasteries. But only those carried by hand are referred to as Mani wheels.

The Idea behind the wheel spinning practice is that the texts when spun in radiate the same effect as read or viewed. So the Buddhist monks, Tibetan Lamas and the believers of the religion spin in clockwise direction so that when we imagine the written text unfurling in front of our eyes it would be readable. The direction of rotation matches the path of sun and direction of circumambulation around the stupas.

Tawang - land of monpas - Arunachal Pradesh India

Not many people in India or abroad know about the Land of Monpas and abode of divine beauty - Tawang. May be you think I am trying to exaggerate it a bit too much. Well I am not. This are plain statements which you can only believe once you visit the place.

Where is Tawang situated?
Tawang is situated in at a height of 3500 meters above sea level in the State of Arunachal Pradesh in India. It is exquisitely located in the lap of Himalayas in the north eastern part of India. It is bordered by Tibet in the north and Bhutan in the southwest.

What is so special about Tawang?
Tawang is internationally famous for being the birth place of the sixth Dalai Lama, Tsangyang Gyatso.

When is Goa Carnival this year 2009 and best thing about the Goa Carnival

When Is Goa Carnival this Year?

Goa carnival normally lasts for a week in the month of February. The exact dates this year will be the last week of February. The peak time of celebrations will be 21th to 24th February. These dates are out and they are official. There will be many carnivals processions during this time. Mostly as a tradition it is celebrated six weeks prior to the Easter Sunday.

History and specialty of Goa Carnival

Goa carnival is an Indian version of Mardi grass celebrations in Spain and Portugal. Goa was a Portuguese colony so the tradition of carnivals during prior to Easter celebrations and Lent Fasting. It is supposed to be the week before the fasting begins. So people take this opportunity to eat and drink in opulence and make merry round the clock. So the carnival celebrations in Goa date back to the days of Portuguese invasions in 18th century. Though it is supposed to be a Christian cultural event, like everything in India fusion of cultures takes over. So the Goa carnival is a smooth blend of all religions and cultures that makes the whole affair unique in world’s perspective.Being situated in the tropic belt it is a hot place in Indian summer and gets a lot of rain during monsoons. So February is the best time to visit this tourist’s delight as the temperature will be most soothing at this time of the year. It would be especially enjoyable to go sun bathing.

What to Expect at Goa Carnival?

Like any other carnival its fun at the zenith. This is one time of the year that every Goan awaits eagerly the whole year. The highlight of the event is appointment and arrival of “King MOMO” and his retinue in the capital city of Panaji. King MOMO then presides over the whole event and orders his subjects to go for all out partying. So you will get to spend your time well amidst live music, strumming guitars and sizzling dances of various local and international forms. There will be beautifully decorated floats and processions all over. Eat and drink to your hearts content on the world famous beaches of Goa. Connoisseurs of alcohol will be delighted with the Goa’s local offering – The Feni. There will be many different kinds of events for fun and entertainment. Most of them will have free entry baring a few special ones or those which are restricted to particular age group of community. Apart from these you may enjoy cruise parties or boat rides on “Mandvi River”.
One more thing I forgot to mention is the mud pelting or shoe pelting or rotten egg attacks that you may face during this time on streets and alleys. Well this is by no means malicious unless some one has some personal grudges against you because you ran over their dead dog with your Harley Davidson. This actually is a ritual that possibly originated form the practice of cleansing the household off old and useless stuff. Pranksters started making use of this junk as projectiles of choice to lob at unsuspecting travelers.

I think I am slowly getting you interested in the great Goan carnival.