Always wanted to help the heritage sites that no one gives a damn about? Lensman Aditya Arya's Himalayan photo-odyssey shows the way 
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Mysticity:u00a0Green Tara - the world-known Goddess of Wisdom; a resident monk praying at the Vairochna Temple in Dukhang; a view inside the Sumpsek Monastery in Alchi</td></tr>
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Sneak peak: A 30 km stretch of the Alchi village, clicked without a flash during a storm</td></tr></tbody></table>Art exponent Kapila Vatsyayan described his stills as "some of the richest creative energies expressed in breathtaking beauty." We think it's spiritual pleasure with a purpose. "The Alchi Monastery that I've shot is crumbling; the figures are fragile, and repeated pleas to restore the monuments have been of no use. So, this photo-essay is part of my social responsibility project, whereby young pros can contribute toward the cause, so that the government's costs are covered," said artist Aditya Arya. Cold mountain calling Before embarking on a shutter spree, Arya studied Buddhism closely in Ladakh. His introduction to the moon land dates back to 1978, when it was thrown open to visitors. Over the next 15 years, he visited remote monasteries, spending months trekking extensively. "There is an ever-growing need for proper photographic documentation of sites and objects for students, researchers and interested individuals who cannot access these and enjoy the beauty in such great detail otherwise. Having all this material available in museums and archives helps them and the monuments themselves," said the man behind the scenes. "We had to use unique techniques to subtly capture these images with minimal available lights," he added while sharing some of his favourites with us. Alchi, whazzat? Alchi is a village in the Leh district of Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir. It is situated on the banks of the river Indus. The area is famous for one of the oldest monasteries in Ladakh, mainly known for its wall paintings of the 11th century. It was built by the great translator Rinchen Zangpo. The works are some of the oldest surviving paintings in Ladakh, and reflect artistic and spiritual details of both Buddhism and Hindu kings of that time in Kashmir. Aditya Arya's Alchi archive Where: National Museum, Janpath When: On till February 4 Ring:u00a023018415 Timings: 10 am to 4.30 pm (Mondays closed)

Always wanted to help the heritage sites that no one gives a damn about? Lensman Aditya Arya's Himalayan photo-odyssey shows the way

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