The ultimate goal of all mankind, the aim and end of all religions, is but one -- reunion with God, or what amounts to the same, with the divinity which is every human's true nature.

About the Himalayas

The Himalayas are home to some of the world’s hardiest people. The mountains which span more than 2,400 km through northern India, Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet, and China, take their name from a Sanskrit word meaning "house of snow." ("Hima" means "snow"; "alaya" means "abode.")

Such ceremonies were virtually unseen by outsiders until the 1970s, when the Indian government opened Ladakh to tourists and trekkers. Today, the region is experiencing a clash of cultures, as Internet cafés take their place alongside traditional teahouses and magnificent monasteries perched on cliff sides.

And there is also political strife. Nearby Kashmir has long been the scene of border clashes between India and Pakistan, and religious conflicts seethe beneath the surface of Indian society, sometimes breaking out into open conflict. In the high mountain valleys of the Himalayas, however, life often continues as it has for centuries. It may be a difficult place to live, but for thousands of people, the "house of snow" is indeed home.