Journey Across The Himalayas

This lecture will focus on the Buddhist areas of the highest mountain range in the world, the Himalayas — the once spiritual domain of Tibetan culture and religion, spanning 2,000 miles from Ladakh in the west to Bhutan in the east. Zara will explore the kingdoms and principalities of Ladakh, Zanskar, Spiti, Lahoul, Nepal, Mustang, Sikkim, Bhutan and their spiritual heartland of Tibet.

Many of these countries lay on the ancient trade routes connecting India with Central Asia, and although isolated became important centres of Buddhist art and culture, housing vast repositories of sacred in art in their monasteries and temples

Zara is a freelance lecturer, art consultant and curator, specialising in the art and culture of Tibet, the Himalayas and Mongolia. Initially based at the V&A, Zara has also worked with the Central Asian Department of Bonn University, the Orient Foundation, the Royal Academy and many museums and galleries. Zara edited volume 1 of Masterpieces of Mongolian Art and published articles on Buddhist art and culture. Zara has been a tour guide on numerous trips to the Himalayas.