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Kailas Manas Sarovar Yatra series - 9
Was it a dream?!
Even now, at the time of writing this, I recall that experience. What was it that I had gone through? How do I describe it to my folks at home? Was it just about the hardships of an adventurous trekking that I am going to narrate? Or about the beautiful landscape? Or about being able to reach the abode of gods and goddesses? Or about securing a place in the list of those luckiest people who could unload all their sins? Any attempt to give a description of that experience would fail. The pain of giving birth to a baby could not be explained in words, just like the joy of touching the feet new born baby. Whatever may be the name of that place…..I call it the womb….womb of the infinite-the unbound-the formless-the nameless-the omnipresent-the un-manifested in the manifested universe.
We had
very little time to spend on the top of Drolma La. Neema hurried us
to move on. It might turn out to be fatal for vulnerable people. I
rushed to my camera, took a few snaps. I was unable to hold the
camera, hands were shaking. Entire valley was covered with fog.
Colorful prayer flags had provided wonderful contrast against the
background of snow covered valley. We had to move from there, we
started descending on the opposite side.
While
descending, we saw the Gauri Kund. It is a small pool of water that
is supposed to be the place where goddess Parvati (Gauri) is said to
have done penance for Lord Shiva. It is situated on a bit lower
altitude than the Drolma La. We crossed a frozen river stream after
that. After about half an hour we descended and reached the plains of
a river stream. We stopped at a tiny restaurant like thing to have
our packed lunch consisting biscuits, fruits and bread. We had to
complete, again about 22 km trek to reach our camp at Zutulpuk.
However, it was on a plain path we had to walk by the side of an
unnamed river stream.
Gauri Kund (image credit: Prajna LS) |
Ponies
had arrived there already with their masters for those who had
booked. A fellow traveler, he was the youngest of all in our team,
was suffering from severe sickness. He was brought to the camp in an
ambulance later. It was a terrific walk. I was lagging behind. I had
no energy left to walk. Luckily, looking at my condition, Neema
Sherpa and also Veerbahadur Sherpa took great care of me till I could
reach the camp. The cute looking Veerbahadur used to cheer me up in
between, he made me to drink glucose water, asked me to sit and take
rest and made me to move again…like a kind friend.
I recall
it was like a walk in the oblivion, as if it were a sleep walk. I was
feeling very drowsy. It is a symptom of altitude sickness. In that
delusive state of mind I had tried to recall the faces of our elder
team mates one by one. Then, realized they were on ponies. Huh. But,
not all were. Narayan uncle and the father of Doctor Shailaja were
also coming by foot. No idea how they were, where they were…Veer
Bahadur cheered, “We have almost reached, don’t worry”. He was
just consoling my mind, I know.
It was
raining by the time we reached. Must be around 7.30 pm we had
reached. My folks at the camp were worried for me. They didn’t
know for whom the ambulance was sent. Veerbahadur held my hand in a
majestic way and dropped me at the door of our allotted room where my
folks had been resting!! I just threw out my shoes, rain coat and
jacket and lied on my bed, I was drenched in sweat.
Third
day!
Next
day morning we walked for about 2-3 hours. It was damn easy compared
to the second day! We were feeling very light and were excited. It
was drizzling and after sometime we could see tiny-tiny snow flakes
settling on our rain coats. The entire valley looked fabulous. I told
my aunt that we are blessed by Bhagwan through snowfall!
There
is a small mound to mark the completion of Kailas Parikrama. We
reached there and it was the end of our great venture. We could see
our vehicles at that point. Drove back to Darchen, and after lunch
the group proceeded towards Saga. From saga we came to Nyalam and
from Nyalam we crossed the Friendship Bridge (at Kodari) again to
reach Kathmandu.
Tag :
Pilgrimage,
Kailash Manas Sarovar Yatra Series - 8
Kailas Parikrama –Drolma La Pass!
We had walked about 12
km in the rugged terrain of Kailas circuit to reach Dirapuk from
Darchen. Mount Kailas is seen from a very close distance here. We
were overwhelmed, excited and content. Dirpuk is located at 4, 600
meters above the sea level. Altitude sickness gets severe from here.
We rested in tin sheds after initial excitement of passing the first
stage of Kailas Kora.
Accommodation at
Dirapuk, or at Zultulpuk is getting better year after year, I think.
As we heard the experiences of those who had gone earlier, there used
to be tents. Now, the Chinese Government has built tin sheds
providing space for 4 members each in rooms. 8/10 rooms have been
constructed. We didn’t see any latrine there. We had to use open
space for the routine.
My aunt, uncle and I
were little anxious, since my brother and his wife had not arrived.
They arrived an hour later and we were quite relieved! Soon the
shades of evening turned black and we were desperately waiting for
the soup to be served. It was not hunger, I guess, we needed
something hot, very hot. We sipped soups as if we had been starved
for months together.
Climate at Dirapuk is
quite uncertain. It can rain anytime, and sometimes even snowfall
occurs. One can’t be sure of second day parikrama. Sherpas judge
the climate condition and advice accordingly whether to proceed or to
return. Despite Diamox intake we were feeling nausea, headache, and
body temperature. That night, we could not eat much. I had gulped a
tablet for fever, and at about midnight I was drenched in sweat. It
was pouring outside! Ohh…good sign. I was wishing for the
announcement of our return due to bad weather. Delusions of dark
hours!!
Image credit:Prajna LS |
Image credit:Prajna LS |
Second Day was broken
amidst fog and slight drizzles. Sherpas were confident of moving
further and asked us to get ready. Those who feel very sick can
return from Dirapuk, they advised. “Himmat Rakhkho…Himmat se kaam
chalega” said Sangya Sherpa with a naughty smile. The Sherpas had
already kept a barrel of warm water for washing purpose in front of
our rooms. After having a brisk breakfast, we marched towards
Zutulpuk which needed about 32 km trek.
This day was the
toughest day of all during our Yatra. We were supposed to pass
through the Drolma La Pass (18,600 ft) and the famous Gauri Kund. The
trek included ascending the slope of Drolma La and then, descending
the slope. Once after descending the slope, we had to take up a long
trek along a river stream up to Zutulpuk. Exact calculation of the
time and distance up to Drolma la (8km) and from there up to Zutulpuk
(24 km may be) is not possible. We reached Drolma La pass (8 km up)
in three stages. It is a steep up.
The surrounding had
received good snowfall the previous night. Not a sunny day. Thick fog
had covered the hills making it more difficult for a walk. We were on
an unfathomable path, metaphorically! I just laid my burden on my
destiny that had led me so far and was confident that I would be
taken good care of by my guru Sri Datta.
Image credit:Prajna LS |
Sherpas were holding
two oxygen cylinders for emergency. But, they had advised us to use
that only if it was necessary. They had warned that the oxygen
supplement would have side effects, it may block lungs even more and
if it happens one may have to go back. It was a testing period of our
patience, will power, courage and luck.
We started moving
slowly, one after another. It was a narrow strip on a snowy hill
partially covered with snow. For every two steps I had to stop, take
rest on my walking stick and then had move on. We had to pass through
three steep acclivities of which the last ascent was breathtaking
experience. Through the misty depth we passed, it was like
experiencing the fate of an embryo inside the womb. We could see the
last acclivity, on which some hikers were visible, though not so
clearly.
We were not allowed to
stop anywhere. “Keep walking” Neema Sherpa who was carrying my
knapsack along with the camera bag used to poke. Senior team mates on
the pony used to greet us occasionally. We walked to strange tunes
hummed by the Chinese porters. We were crawling inside the depth of
silence.
I was breathing
heavily making sounds. I had to consume water in between to prevent
dehydration. Dry fruits will help reducing energy loss; keep them in
the pockets of your jacket. I was unable to hold even the flask.
Neema Sherpa used to hold that and he used to open even the lid of
the flask for me! He would give my camera whenever he felt it would
be alright to stop for a minute for taking photos. I thank him for
being so kind.
One of our senior
mates, Manju aunty, had completed the first day Parikrama by walk.
But, on the second day, she felt that she can’t climb the ascending
slope. Luckily she caught hold of a pony man who was returning from
the top after dropping a pilgrim. One will get Ponies till the top
only. After reaching the top (Drolma La) one will have to descend a
steep slope till some distance. Ponies can’t descend on that slope.
However, for those who have booked ponies in advance for all the
three days would get back to the pony ride after reaching the ground.
We were ascending the
third slope. Someone was sick on the way, was being assisted with
oxygen. Neema didn’t allow me to stand there. He hurried me to move
on. It was a steep rocky slope. I could feel my legs shaking. The
whole area was covered with thick fog. I had forgotten the world that
I had left behind! Face of my darling daughter flashed through my
mind, suddenly. Move or die! I had forgotten my state of being
itself. Inexplicable state of mind that was…….. in tune with the
symphony of unbound-ruthless-wild nature. Each step seemed heavy…a
state of oblivion.
It was when Neema
Sherpa said that we had reached the top I was not in state to rejoice
really! Yes, we had reached the top of Drolma La Pass. Huh!
[To be continued….]
Tag :
Pilgrimage,
Kailash-Manas Sarovar Yatra Series - 7
Kailas Parikrama is
nothing but a trekking process around the Kailas Circuit. Parikrama
means circumambulation. Some go for 3 day trekking, some for 9 days,
some for 13 and some choose one day depending upon their health. The
total distance to be covered in a three day parikrama is
approximately 52 km. This task is an important part of Kailas-Manas
Sarovar Yatra, though not compulsory. People who are physical fit and
mentally confident may take up the task. It is the hardest task of
the yatra, but, the most fulfilling one!
Mount Kailas is
revered with great devotion by Hindu, Jain and Buddhist followers. In
the Jain tradition, Kailas is considered to be the mount (Ashtapada
Parvat) on which the first Teerthankar Rishabhdev attained his
salvation. According to Bon Buddhist tradition, the mount is a highly
energetic place representing transcendental energy. This place is
associated with Guru Rinpoche, the Padmasambhava.
Hindus consider the
mount as to be the abode of Lord Shiva and his consort Parvathi.
Kailas Parvat is said to be the source for many rivers. Indus,
Satlej, Brahmaputra, and Ghagra Rivers originate somewhere near the
Kailas circuit. By circumambulating the mount, it is believed, that
one would attain supreme energy and would be purified.
One can take up the
task only after reaching Lake Manas. The trekking starts from a place
called Darchen, the base point actually. Darchen is located at about
8 km from Lake Manas, and can be approached by motored vehicles.
image credit: prajna LS |
The night before the
parikrama, our Sherpa team gave us some tips for the mountain walk.
They showed us how to handle fatigue and breathlessness during the
parikrama. Not only that, they had also narrated stories of devotees
who had died half way! That was very scary and made us to think twice
before deciding.
A small backpack
containing dry fruits, medicine, a flask, a torch, a pain balm tube
and tissue roles were kept ready. Even to carry such a lightweight
backpack we had hired porters. Chinese porters will come at the
gateway (Yamadwar, the starting point) and we had hired them for 700
yens. The sherpas will collect the money and I guess full amount will
not be paid to the porters! Pilgrims who feel uncomfortable to walk
can hire ponies. Book your pony for all three days; you may not get a
pony in the middle of your parikrama.
Next day morning,
after a small breakfast, we had moved towards Yamadwar, the starting
point of our Parikrama. Dressed in three layered cloths, we had
reached Yamadwar in a bus. Our porters and Pony caretakers had
already gathered at Yamadwar. For our group (I, aunt and uncle,
brother and his wife) the Sherpas themselves got ready to carry the
backpack.
Yamadwar!
I don’t know why it
is named like that. But, a scary name it was. Yama,
as you all know is the governor of death according to Hindus. This is
the gateway to his home! There is a small shrine inside which heads
of slain goats and Yaks are hung. There is a small bell inside and by
tradition every pilgrim would perform circumambulation of the shrine
three times after ringing the bell for a safe return. We were already
nervous looking at the shrine. We proceeded further after performing
the circumambulation.
Our
target was to reach Dirapuk. We were instructed to walk very slowly
leaning on to the walking stick whenever it was necessary. It is not
a competion of any sort to reach first. It won’t be difficult to
walk on a plain, but, it would be highly difficult for ups. Take rest
for a while (not more than a minute) and move forward if you feel
breathlessness. We saw a Buddhist devotee prostrating for every other
step. He had covered his hands with shoes.
The
route on the first day Parikrama was not so complicated. We walked
along the Yak River. Our path pierced through the rugged terrain
comprising steep rocky hills. These same hills would be covered with
snow during winter, but, we had gone there in August. So, the terrain
was uncovered, rocky and plain, resonating deep silence.
We
could reach the target by afternoon. Dirapuk houses a Buddhist Gompa.
But, a surprise was waiting for us when we reached there. It was the
last up. We had taken about half an hour to climb up, then, we turned
to our right and were dumbstruck at the sight of Mount Kailas from
such a close distance. It was such a solemn and serene sight, that I
would always cherish in my memory. As we sat on the ground below
there, we felt as if we were sitting at the feet of Lord Shiva
himself!
Wait
for the next episode to read about the second and third day
parikrama!
Tag :
Pilgrimage,