The Brokpa people live on the border of India and Pakistan in a steep, hidden valley above the Indus River. They’ve been farming in this inhospitable climate at 9,000 feet in the lower himalayas for over 2,000 years. Considered by some to be descendants of Alexander the Great’s army and others to be directly related to the earliest Indo-European peoples, they are ethnically caucasian, religiously Buddhist, and their language is written in both Tibeto-Burman and Arabic script. Truly a fascinating cultural crossroads. But most impressive to me were the gardens — grape vines over a foot in diameter, golden apple orchards, stone villages set amid a sea of apricots and wildflowers in one of the driest climates on the planet.
Five of us from our August 2013 Ladakh yoga retreat visited the Brokpa in Dha Hanu Valley. All I could think about after we left was coming back. Look for this enchanting destination on future retreats from Tapta Marg.
The Teej festival in Rajasthan happens in the middle of monsoon season and celebrates the union of Shiva and Shakti in vibrant color and sound. Tribal peoples from all over Rajasthan and Gujarat gather for several days of dancing, singing, and festivity. And… painted elephants.
