Monochrome rear view of ornate ceremonial crowns and embroidered brocade against bright window light — Kalimpong, India — July 2014 — Shamar Rinpoche - Kalimpong - Chakrasamvara — photograph by Tokpa Korlo

Dark ceremonial silhouettes beneath repeating suspended ornaments — Kalimpong, India — July 2014 — Shamar Rinpoche - Kalimpong - Chakrasamvara — photograph by Tokpa Korlo

A close view of drumsticks beside an ornate painted ceremonial drum — Kalimpong, India — July 2014 — Shamar Rinpoche - Kalimpong - Chakrasamvara — photograph by Tokpa Korlo

A standing robed figure holding a tall ritual object beneath hanging ornaments — Kalimpong, India — July 2014 — Shamar Rinpoche - Kalimpong - Chakrasamvara — photograph by Tokpa Korlo

A standing robed figure raising ritual objects beside a decorated altar — Kalimpong, India — July 2014 — Shamar Rinpoche - Kalimpong - Chakrasamvara — photograph by Tokpa Korlo

On my final day in Kalimpong before travelling to Shar Minub, after weeks of puja in different countries, people from everywhere, and all walks of life coming to pay their respects to…

KALIMPONG, INDIA · JULY 17, 2014

Shamar Rinpoche - Kalimpong - Chakrasamvara

On my final day in Kalimpong before travelling to Shar Minub, after weeks of puja in different countries, people from everywhere, and all walks of life coming to pay their respects to Shamar Rinpoche's Kudung; the monks and lamas at Diwakar Buddhist Academy performed the Chakrasamvara Empowerment and I am taken back to my roots... Such beauty and tradition intertwined.

For Dhagpo Kagyu Ling and www.shamarpa.org