Namgyal Monastery

Asher and I joined hundreds of monks, local people and tourists for a candlelight procession and vigil last night, soon after we arrived. We did not know what we were getting ourselves into as we followed the silent crowd into a narrow alleyway that ended up in the open plaza area of the monastery. Senior monks were chanting up on the podium, as we found places to sit down. Surrounded by the Dhauladhar Mountain Range, we were entertained by the antics of monkeys on the roofs and in the trees while the sun disappeared. Asher sat among a group of younger monks who were taking part in a wax ball (from the dripping candles) fight.