Praying monk in a cave at the Burning Lake, Bhutan

[Manfred M]

This monk in a small cave, complete with diamond sceptre (the brass object in his hand at chest level) and bell was chanting a mantra near the Mebar Tsho (Burning Lake), which is one of the holiest sites in this part of Bhutan.

For those of us used to larger lakes, we would describe this "lake" as a slight widening in a very small river. Regardless, there were many Buddhist visitors at the site while we made a short stop there.

http://www.tourism.gov.bt/discover/the-burning-lake




We were told that the small cone-shaped objects were made of clay that was made with some of the ashes of the dearly departed. These were places near a number of the holy sites that we visited in Bhutan.

[Shadowman]

Nicely captured.

[bnnrcn]

Nice image, the lake looks very small indeed

[rpcrowe]

I really like this image. Although, the cloth in front of the monk might be a bit less bright...

[Mike Buckley]

We were told that the small cone-shaped objects were made of clay that was made with some of the ashes of the dearly departed.

It's always interesting to me to compare cultural views toward death and how various cultures commemorate the dead.

[John 2]

I really like this image. Although, the cloth in front of the monk might be a bit less bright...

...and the white cloth top left because the interest is in that fascinating face but I don't know what you would do to lessen their impact. Cropping is not an option because the balance is right as it is. I just accept it for what it is - an excellent record of something I'm unlikely to see first hand.

[Manfred M]

Nice image, the lake looks very small indeed

Yes, I would hesitate to call it a lake. You can see how small it is when there are people standing at it.

[Manfred M]

...and the white cloth top left because the interest is in that fascinating face but I don't know what you would do to lessen their impact. Cropping is not an option because the balance is right as it is. I just accept it for what it is - an excellent record of something I'm unlikely to see first hand.

I could try to darken it a bit, I suppose. I suspect all of the white cloth in the area is the only reason I was able to pull off the shot. The light levels were quite low and the white cloth ended up acting as a reflector. Not a lot of good shooting angles around and this is the only shot that was actually sharp enough to use.