-RejiK's photostream  

We visited a famous Tibetan settlement in South India, established years back by PAndit Nehru, the then Prime Minister and funded by Govt of India in support of the emigrant community who are actually refugees. The vast area whch is built up in roads and oher amenities is a city is an entire village where they run businesses, and produce their handicrafts to earn income. The site also includes a university and a ver large Buddha Temple (Buddha Vihaar as it is called)
When We reached there these spiritual students where chanting some prayers together in the large prayer hall.. Then the bell rang after a while, as they all walked out orderlly for their lunch and after that many came and landed in these plush green turfs.. And most of them lost no time in getting busy with their mobile phones.. Yes the mobile penetration is deep...

And your form and colour are the way I love them.
You are mine, mine, my sweet flower
And in your life my infinite dreams live.

- Pablo Neruda

This is one of the many magnificent views from Topkapi Palace complex.For the Ottoman royals the ships passing through the strait being the main link between Europe and Asia were their main source of income..

The palace complex is located on the Seraglio Point (Sarayburnu), a promontory overlooking the Golden Horn and the Sea of Marmara, with the Bosphorus in plain sight from many points of the palace. The site is hilly and one of the highest points close to the sea. During Greek and Byzantine times, the acropolis of the ancient Greek city of Byzantion stood here. There is an underground Byzantine cistern, located in the Second Courtyard, which was used throughout Ottoman times, as well as remains of a small church, the so-called Palace Basilica on the acropolis have also been excavated in modern times.

The strong shore is my beloved
And I am his sweetheart.

As the tide comes we caress each other,
When it withdraws, I drop to his feet in
Prayer.

In the heaviness of night, when all
Creatures seek the ghost of Slumber, I
Sit up, singing at one time and sighing
At another. I am awake always.

Alas! Sleeplessness has weakened me!
But I am a lover, and the truth of love
Is strong.
I may be weary, but I shall never die.

-Khalil Gibran (Lebanese Poet)