My entry to the GSARN Artistic excellence web contest. Thanks for looking

Name : Radha Dhaka
Business name : La Petite Meringue
State Chosen : Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh

Dharamsala, home to 14th Dalai Lama and Tibetan government-in-exile, is an abode of spirituality, living up to its name which is derived from Sanskrit words ‘dharam’ and ‘shala’ meaning ‘spiritual dwelling’. Many Buddhist monasteries have been built in and around here, one of the prominent being Namgyal monastery built by Tibetan immigrants.

My piece celebrates Buddhism in Dharamsala where it is not a religion but a way of life. It is believed that the essence of Buddhism is contained in the prayer OM MANI PADME HUM. Turning prayer wheels with this mantra written on them are said to invoke benevolent divine attention.
The top tier is a handheld prayer wheel with turquoise, ruby and topaz inlay work.
The next tier is a thangka painting of Avalokiteswara, the compassionate and merciful bodhisattva. Painting is done using gel and dust colours.
The next tier is the standing prayer wheels which actually turn. Handcut stencil is used to paint the prayer mantra in gold.
The bottom tier is life in a monastery where prayer, learning and mindfulness start right from a young age. A mix of bas relief, modelling with saracino and painting with gel and dust colours is used to show the hilly scenery and monks.