Sacred Secrets
Unveiling Tantra In the Western Himalaya
What is Tantra? Why is it so misconstrued? How does one understand Tantra in its Himalayan setting? What are the mysterious practices relating to the Tantric sects?
Duration: 3 Days | Starting Date: September 6, 2024
History of Tantra in the Western Himalayas
Iconography and symbolism in Tantra
Tantra practices and traditions
What You Will Learn
Tantra is a complex and diverse phenomenon that encompasses various religious and philosophical traditions from India, Tibet, Nepal, and other Himalayan regions. Tantra aims to transform the ordinary human condition into a state of bliss and liberation through ritual, meditation, yoga, and other techniques.
In this course, you will explore the origins and development of tantric traditions, sacred texts and teachings, artistic expressions and symbolism, and their influence on culture and society.
You will also learn about the different branches and schools of tantra within Hinduism and Buddhism, such as the Shaiva and Shakta sects that worship Shiva and Shakti respectively, and the Vajrayana or Tantric Buddhism that emerged in the Western Himalaya. By the end of this course, you will have a deeper understanding and appreciation of the rich and fascinating world of tantra.
Meet Your Instructor
Dr. Sonali Gupta
Sonali Gupta, LL.B., Ph.D. (UCLA) specializes in archaeology and has worked for nearly a decade in Egypt, India, Indonesia, and Malaysia. She is an anthropological archaeologist and has led the first international field school in India under her project “Myth and Reality in the Himalayas.”
Sonali has taught at the University of California, Los Angeles, the National Museum in New Delhi, and her Institute of which she is the Founding Director, The Himalayan Institute of Cultural & Heritage Studies Foundation (HICHS), situated in Dhami in Rural Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. Her core area of research is cultural transmission of both tangible and intangible cultural heritage. She has various projects in collaboration with Flinders University, Institute of Field Research, University of Delhi, and the Archaeological Survey of India.