Himalayan Mysteries

Myth, magic and mountains merge in the mighty Himalaya. For nearly 2,500 kilometres, a wondrous terrain unfolds: a shaman dances in the frenzy of possession, while a five-year-old Buddhist reincarnate plays with his sword; skulls lurk beneath a frozen lake, while strange footprints come to sight amidst the snow; a young virgin becomes a goddess, even as another unites with her in death; a monastery hangs precariously to edges of sheer rock, but a flower used for worship and healing peeps out boldly. And, always, there are the gods, the demons and at least one respectable ghost for company. Himalayan Mysteries journeys from the foothills of the Indian Himalayas to the grand mountains of Nepal, and on to secluded valleys and remote recesses in Bhutan and Tibet, exploring the silent heart of mystery. Packed with rewarding photographs and adventurous tales of tragedy and triumph, fable and fantasy, faith and folklore, Himalayan Mysteries makes that heart beat.

Thomas L. Kelly came to Nepal, his chosen country of residence, in 1978, as a Peace Corps volunteer. A professional photographer, he has contributed to and researched for several books, and his work has appeared in leading publications. He lives in Kathmandu. Ashok Dilwali has worked extensively on the Himalayas, his photographs appearing in several books relating to the region. An associate of the Royal Geographic Society, Great Britain, he runs a family-owned photographic business in New Delhi. Yet, he and his camera regularly escape to the Himalayas whenever it beckons. Ganesh Saili is a born mountain lover who has had the good fortune of living amidst the hills of Mussoorie. He teaches English and American literature at the local post-graduate college and is a professional photographer. He has contributed to books, periodicals and journals. Sanjay Acharya combines the roles of writer, broadcaster, documentary producer and teacher with ease. He has passed on his skills to students at Jamia Milia Islamia and the School of Planning and Architecture, both in New Delhi. He lives in the city, happily clicking and listening to music. Sanjeev Saith is a professional photographer and publisher. He was the climbing cameraman for a documentary on the Indian Everest Expedition in 1984, which won the National Award. His photos form part of the collections of the Museum of Modern Art, New York, and the National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi, where he lives.