Before anyone embarks on a spiritual journey, one important question for the future yatri-the pilgrim must know beforehand and be very clear in his mind regarding this aim. And that is-why he wishes to go on this pilgrimage?
As Kailash Mansarovar yatra is a difficult one, mental preparedness is most crucial. Be extremely sure that you really want to go there and discover for yourself for which specific reasons would you like to go . Ask yourself if you are ready to devote a few months in rigorous physical training, willing to spare a few hours everyday in its homework, groundwork and training.
Find out and prepare yourself well in advance which mental and spiritual activities you wish to perform out there. For example, if you think you must do self assessment or review your life, heal a relationship or a broken heart, then become aware of your goal. If you feel that your life has become dull and stagnant, then go in the wilderness and nature to absorb the energies of creativity and come back fully re-energized. If you have a vision and are planning your future, then too take God’s help in deciding which way you should head for. God’s directions are always right. And the most significant of all, if you want to escalate your sadhana by cleansing or washing the past sins as our religions suggest, then too one must never hesitate to accomplish that by making a trip or a yatra . Once your mind is geared up, set & firm, then get ready for-
Physical training– As the pilgrimages are mostly on the hills or mountains far away from city, the future pilgrim must devote sufficient time for physical fitness. Though our ultimate goal is other than just physical fitness, but nonetheless it is a great opportunity to give strict attention to our health which will help us all our lives. Once we return we must maintain those good health habits. Physical fitness is extremely important on this yatra and it cannot be substituted with anything else.
Assign about an hour on an average for physical exercise daily and in between about one and a half hour for building stamina and physical endurance. Towards the end of my training session, I used to walk with my bagpack before my departure which was filled up with items weighing about 3-4 kgs. On the high altitude, we walk wearing heavy woollens and carry articles like camera, medicines and water bottle. The total weight comprises about 5kgs. So one should practice walking with some weight according to his endurance and physical fitness. Go for long walks, climb small hills or mountains in your areas and walk on the treadmill with elevation. Walk up your stairs first without weight then with weight as much as you can. Make your body fit to withstand extra work, mental and physical fatigue and for walking on high altitudes above sea levels. Go with a clear mind that we must enjoy every moment of our stay and travel. The most essential thing to keep in mind- do all the general medical tests and also special tests for your physical ailments to avoid complications and dangers while travelling. Visit your physician and physiotherapist and ask for essential precautions.
Do’s and dont’s for this very special yatra
Don’t compare this pilgrimage with other trips or pilgrimages that you may have undertaken before. This one is really different. And what makes it different? The very low amount of oxygen in the air. This one is the hardest, roughest, and most challenging of all pilgrimages. Doing the parikrama is literally ‘the mother of all treks.”
The high altitude areas in Tibet and China have very thin layer of oxygen. It can become extremely difficult to breathe in some areas and the climate changes drastically throughout the day. And the nights are very cold.Initially be very patient with yourself as the body gets accustomed to the cold and dry climate. Before you leave for the scheduled departure, do some breathing exercises at least for a month to expand your lung capacities. Go with sufficient preparation for the atmosphere by consulting the family physician and the physiotherapist.
Don’t take excess luggage like too many clothes, food, medicines etc. Instead take more innerwears, woollen socks etc.
Don’t take ordinary shoes like walking or tennis shoes. Buy shoes which will protect you from rainwater, cold and wind. Start surveying at least 2-3 months beforehand so that you can try them out, wear them and practice walking before your departure.
Don’t talk too much in mountainous areas. It is far better to contemplate, enjoy the beauty of the place, observe the varied cultures, languages and people on your journey. Conserve energy in every way possible.
Pack your clothes in plastic bags and plastic sheets because of unexpected rains anytime.
Eat a lot of fruits and multi- vitamins capsules before you leave for at least a month because the body is under a lot of stress and one may have poor immunity. It is a very good idea to consume vitamin C in some form during our whole journey to maintain body’s natural immunity.
Avoid beverages, caffeine and junk food as our body is unable to process and digest food quickly there.
When you calculate the total cost, take into account the yuans also as only Chinese yuans (CY) are allowed once you cross Nepal. You will need CY once you enter China. Also refer to this blog of Anil Mavin Kurve.
Do not carry heavy purses, fancy clothes and unnecessary articles, carry just the basics. Some important things that you must buy are – a good quality waist money bag, a good quality bag pack, a good quality camera with enough rechargeable batteries, , torch, thermos, travelling mug with a cover (to keep tea, water hot )jacket to protect from windy air and cold weather. Good all weather shoes, leather gloves, cotton and woollen socks and one extra shoelace in case one gives way. Imagine that you are trekking and the shoelace breaks at some point!! So please carry this very small but useful thing. Wet wipes, sanitizer, paper soap, sunscreen is a must for all. The higher one reaches, the lesser shops you will find .The list of things to carry is phenomenal, these are just the important ones without which you cannot do at all.
Take bangles, bindis, watches, hats & old jackets to give to sherpas and locals. The children everywhere whether boys or girls are fascinated with this beautiful Indian thing They always ask us to give them these small articlfor it and are very delighted if you give them I saw many small shops selling glass and plastic bangles at Kodari in Nepal, the last stop before we enter China.
Last but not the least- mentally start living in the Himalayan mountains and the abode of God Mt Kailash so that you begin to absorb those vibrations even before you physically leave your house. Before you set off, purify yourself of all the impure thoughts. Pray to all those divine souls to call you, to make your journey safe, to bless you and help you to walk up the ladder of spiritual evolution rapidly. There are many Buddhist and Hindu souls who after leaving their bodies, still reside there in a formless state to help the pilgrims to move upwards and make swift spiritual progress.
Before I left I was blessed and initiated by one Buddhist lama who are called Rinpoche in Tibetan language during a session of meditation one day. He said to me that he is from Serlung monastery. At that time, I could not imagine anything about a Buddhist monastery as I had seen none in the Himalayas. I was really, really surprised and I also discovered that when we go for such hard and testing trips, we require help from the astral world also. While I was making the final preparations, many a times he has told me telepathically what things to take and what all I should do to make my journey a success. Many things I have shared with you on this post to assist you in your preparation and training if you decide to go there sometime.
I was very disheartened when our troupe did not show any interest in visiting the famous Serlung monastery located next to Ashtapada, the south face of Mt. Kailash. I couldn’t do much.I wish I had paid my respects and gratitude to that lama whose soul is so fervently present there and who occasionally guided me. Anyway, I dedicate this post in his honour and pray to him that he call me once more to holy Kailash with my dear ones and that I come with much better preparedness so that I can bow at his feet personally.
As we finish reading this post let’s chant this sacred and powerful mantra in his honour – Om Mani Padme Hum, Om Mani Padme Hum, Om Mani Padme Hum…
Om Mani Padme Hum literally means Aum, to the jewel in the Lotus. It is widely used by the Mahayan Buddhists and is recited by the Tibetan Buddhist to invoke the Boddhisattva of compassion. It is a healing mantra and is commonly found inscribed on rocks, stupas, prayer wheels, loose stones heaped as mani or jewels on roads, mountain passes and exits and entries of villages during the journey. It is invoked to protect one from all sorts of danger in this and the next life.
This is a very useful blog post. It will definitely help me when I do go on a pilgrimage. I have wanted to get out of my comfort zone and go on a pilgrimage for years now but as you wrote to me in the previous post, wait until the Time is favourable and I have no other choice but to wait.
That picture of Om Mani Padme Hum inscribed on the stone is fascinating. Do you have any details on who wrote it as it seems Very Powerful. I also have a soft spot in my heart for Lord Buddha.
The first picture (3 white dots vehicles) up on this blog , I was just pondering looking at it and realized how Vast God is compared to us, how vast nature is compared to tiny humans and vehicles. This picture truly makes me want to Surrender to God.
If there was vibrant music playing now, My soul would do a jive and party all long night with the divine. This is what I feel while reading your blog entries. Your blog is a natural mood enhancer. Also I wanted to write this earlier but shall write it now that I have been having deep, deep sleep since I started reading your blogs; the quality of sleep has definitely changed like there is some BIG healing happening to me in my sleep. Have you felt the same ???
Thank you soooooo much for sharing these practical tips Sarikaji and the beautiful, refreshing Pictures.
When you ever go to Kailash Yatra, the feeling of ourselves as very insignificant and small and God and Nature very magnificent and large erupted many times as I crisscrossed the valleys and meadows. In fact, my eyes had tears when I saw Mt. Kailash for the first time. It was so godly, so immense and beautiful and I was in utter disbelief. I told the sacred mountain -please take away all my ego, I am too small…….And you have had a similar experience by seeing that photo with 3 white dots, amazing really!
You are saying that you feel like partying and do a jive but please know that it is actually ecstasy, only the expression is of partying and dancing. When we begin to discover the attributes about our soul, about God, we do come closer to our divine being and we are in raptures…..joy, joy, joy……
Healing is taking place at night and you should be thanking God for it! May you feel more energised and refreshed as days pass. Fill your heart with gratitude and love for God.
With lots of love and many blessings
Sarika
I love the music in this video, soooooo soothing. It has chanting of the mantra Om Mani Padme Hum. Also wonderful pictures of life of Lord Buddha. (It is best to set the youtube video to 480p for clear viewing quality. Just press the round wheel like button/icon on bottom right hand side of the video player. When you place the mouse over it, you will see ” Change Quality” so just press that icon and select 480p. It is best to do this for all youtube videos or else the picture quality is quite poor. This is for those who didn’t know this. )
I enjoyed listening to this soothing mantra a lot Shahid. In fact, when I was in Tibet for Kailash Yatra, the driver played it many times but I did not know what the words were. The driver knew none of the languages Hindi or English so could not ask him. The pictures are very beautiful and I don’t visit You Tube at all because of lack of time so all the more thanks for sending me the selected videos, it is wonderful. It took me back to Tibet’s mountains once again. Great!
Happy to read this post today.
Thank you soooooooooooooo much <3
Ma, Read this particular post for the first time. It has lot of useful tips. Thank you.
I love to visit this holy site sometime. I hope I’ll get that opportunity.
Om Mani Padme Hum, Om Mani Padme Hum, Om Mani Padme Hum…
Dear Ma,
Thank you for penning your experience and also giving us a direction in terms of mental and physical preparation for this hhighest pilgrimage. I am set to begin my journey to Kailash Mansarover next week and I want to get completely dissolved in the place. I also want to introspect on my life and align my priorities while being in the presence of the divine energy over there.
Thank you Ma and earnestly looking forward to your blessings for this journey and the opportunity that it offers.
Pulkit
Dear Pulkit, I guess very few people know the real power and significance of Mt. Kailash apart from religious beliefs. One of our other devotees will be doing the same pilgrimage around the same time I think so. (Ruby Nair)Hope you both make the most of it. The mountain is like a huge pyramid and immense energies are vibrating from this pyramid for our own welfare. A new beginning can be made in the lives of people by meditating and praying in this vicinity apart from releasing one’s sins of many lives. Whatever it is, one must be very introverted and serious in making this challenging trip and hard trek and pilgrimage. I pray to God that you get clarity of mind and wisdom to introspect and align your priorities so that you can move ahead on your spiritual path. And yes, do attempt to make special effort to surge upwards and lift your consciousness. The atmosphere will be very right for you. God bless you dear child. Yours Ma
Dear Ma,
Humble Pranams. Please accept my sincere apologies for not being able to write my experience on the holy pilgrimage to Kailash Mansarovar for the past few weeks. I hope this narration inspires others to make this journey a new possibility in their lives.
Until three years ago, I used to think of Kailash as a mystical and inaccessible space where Lord Shiva resides. When I became aware that it can actually be visited, a deep curiosity filled in me and I read about the mysticism behind the mountain. It still appeared to be an unattainable dream because of the time and costs involved. Little did I knew, that I was in the process of becoming a little more receptive to the abundant energies and possibility that this holy place has to offer. When the right time came, everything fell into place this August, 2016.
I was lucky to be part of a well-organized group where I did not have to think about any transport, food and accommodation issues. The best facilities were provided to the yatri’s most of whom were spiritual meditators. I was humbled by the service provided by the Sherpas (Nepali high altitude helpers) all along the way. In a climate where we could hardly breathe, they were running around with our luggage, and preparing our food before our arrival to each place in time and yet maintaining a cheerful demeanor all the time. I truly owe the success of this Yatra to them and all the facilitators behind this expedition.
We started from Kathmandu to Lhassa by air, and then travelled for 3 full days by road to reach Mansarovar lake. Three days of road journey was a lot of time to contemplate and absorb the natural beauty of Tibet which was turned more and more blissful as we progressed. The landscape transformed from dry Ladakh kind of scenery to lush green land with snowy hill tops. If there is anything that is close to describing heaven on earth, this is the place. Even though I had previously travelled in the upper Himalayan regions, I have never seen such divine beauty. The greens, blues and everything in between had a different hue in that region. The air was absolutely pure. There was hardly any signs of inhabitation for hundreds of kilometers and the entire area was virgin barring the newly built road on which we rode. Looking at the scenery itself was a preparation for me as it humbled me even further to see how nature can surprise us and to which extent and variety. As we progressed the air became thinner and temperature cooler. Doctors were constantly monitoring oxygen levels and a feeling of excitement was setting in. Many measures were taken to avoid altitude sickness.
Upon touching Mansarovar at 4300m the caravan halted to take a break and absorb the place as well. It was a point from where Mt. Kailash was soaring high above the rest of the ranges, with all might, quite ahead of us. Lake Mansarovar was on left. Since it had been raining, a beautiful rainbow welcomed us from the right. This was the beginning of the series of breathtaking sights our senses would imbibe over the next 4 days. Accommodation in the higher regions of Tibet were very basic and without toilets. I highly appreciated this because a pilgrimage in the mountains is supposed to make us go through hardships and break our mental barriers so that we forget our ego’s that we built back in the cities. We are still very lucky to have so much more convenience in traversing the highest region of the world than ancient times. It is also necessary to maintain the beauty and keep the holy land unpolluted.
The sight of the lake inspires infinite stillness. One can spend hours on its banks just gazing or meditating. There was some mention of celestial and other worldly beings present in the lake and few people also spotted mysterious lights at night. Without any such experience, I was awestruck and mesmerized by the lake. I climbed up to a small hilltop monastery nearby and the sight that I saw was forever printed in my mindscape. The surface of turquoise colored lake water, surrounded by snow clad round shaped mountains on one side, Mt. Kailash and its surrounding range on the other, heavy clouds dropping rain in one area, Rakshas Tal (the counterpart lake of Mansarovar) on the back with a setting sun and a rising moon! I could not have imagined such a sight until I saw one. This region is 360 degrees open with dozens of kilometers of visibility in the atmosphere. Thus such magnificent views are available for us to experience and imbibe.
I was humbled even more by the love of the helping team which gave us hot drinks and food in the coldest of weather. The nature which made me gaze continuously in silence no matter how many times I look at the same scenery. The tranquility of the place which was ideal for my soul to flower and the grace of the countless Guru’s and Shiva himself which had given us this opportunity to experience something which could take us lifetimes if we were not at their mercy.
The trek to Mount Kailash started on the outer parikrama from a small temple called Yamadwar. From there, the south face of the holy mountain gleamed at us in the morning sun. We had opted for porters as walking in that altitude itself was difficult, let alone carrying our bags. I did not interact with anyone on the trek and kept chanting Shiva-Shambho to be in the lap of grace. 5-6 hours of walking induced tiredness. The mountain weather is ever changing. From being sunny and hot and it can suddenly become misty and cold. When I reached the camp-site, it had started raining. Rain gear and protection from cold (from head to toe) is very important on this trek. Many of the pilgrims were still on the way and had been caught up in rain. Despite my tiredness, I wanted to do serve the incoming pilgrims with tea. Helped the medical team in setting up beds and attending to patients as many people had fallen short of oxygen and became sick on the way due to cold and rain. A few hours of volunteering continued and I realized I was still enthusiastic about going out towards Kailash which appears as if I can stretch my arms and touch it’s feet, but was actually residing a few kilometers deep inside the inner parikrama. I had completely forgotten about my tired body and headache. Such is the grace of the lord, that when I submit myself to serving others, my wellbeing is automatically taken care of! The night sky in the area was full of stars decorated as silver-white specks, big and small, countless in numbers and made the whole area illuminated with their light. It felt as if the whole universe is present and pouring their blessings in that sacred site. Such a sky is never visible in low lands and polluted air. It was worth strolling for this heavenly feet even at minus 10 degrees. In the dark I sat for some time, on a rock facing Kailash, adorned with a silver blanket, lit by the crescent moon and stars. Gusting of extremely cold winds and a distant pony-bell was the only sound I heard for a long time.
Was I able to imbibe and absorb even a tiny bit of spiritual and mystical knowledge and make any tangible changes in my life, I honestly do not know until now. In my experience, I had merged with Kailash for a few moments. At the end of the return trek, when I turned and looked back at the mountain for the last time, I had no prayers but only tears. Tears of gratitude for calling me all the way to the most revered space for redemption by all sages and seers. From a sundry life that I lead to the abode of the enlightened where very few have trespassed. For letting me experience its majesty, its beauty and its grandeur. For showering me with blessings which I might not realize in years or lives to come.
Om Namah Shivaya
How very, very beautiful dear Pulkit, your narration was so impeccable! Well written. I went back to 2010 year when I visited this wonderful place. May God give highest realizations and countless blessings on your spiritual journey.May you soar high!
Just a small request! Please copy paste this whole narration and replicate it on a post- A journey that was truly… sacred and beautiful-Kailash Mansarovar. People will get a lot of help from your comment.
Thanks
Yours Ma
Dear Ma,
Thank you for your blessing as it gives me strength always. No matter what I achieve I still feel that I have just begun my journey.
I lived through my experience and wrote it yesterday. I am so glad that it came out better than my expectations. I have replicated it on the previous article.
Pranam
Yes, Pulkit I saw the pictures of your journey to Kailash Mansarovar, they are very fascinating and beautiful. They will be a source of great help to all even to passerby on this blog. I liked all of them, wonderful!
Dear Didi,
During my meditation on Makar Sankranti, I felt I needed to complete this for the blog since you had requested me to do so. I felt the orders must have come from high above since it was very clear to me what I had to do. I owe it to you for guiding me and blessing me before my journey. I took this as my dakshina to you to post this here for you to help others in their journey. I am sorry it couple of months to do this but divine intervention made it happen, so I bow down to that energy that made it happen. Thank you for everything. Aum Namah Shivaya.
Kailash experience is very subjective and what I feel may not be the same for another person. We have different colours of subconscious mind which dictates our reactions to certain experiences. So this is solely my own journey.
My obsession with Kailash started with 2013 and after booking the pilgrimage I was unable to make it due to physical reasons. As the years progress I only longed to go there and in due time I got connected to my guruji who had gone to Kailash two times and was planning on going the third time. Somehow I knew I wanted to go with him. There was no doubt or questions, so I started the whole process of filling out the application and etc. After the first step, everything just fell into place with money, babysitting, days off from work for my husband as he was coming as well.
The journey to Kailash is very extreme and one is fortunate even to dream of going there. It takes a strong determination to want to go there and handle the extreme environment which can cause havoc into one’s system. Only love for God can make a person want to go through that difficulty. It is an inner calling which can be said as if God himself has chosen those souls to come and visit him.
Our route was only 11 days from Kathmandu and back so there was a very short time for acclimatization. I had prepared for only a month before this trek, with running, biking and supplementing with extra vitamins. These things should be considered if one plans on this yatra and should be implemented longer than a month, but in the end only God’s grace matter. I have heard of stories where fit people, who performed yoga and exercised daily had difficulty. We should not have any ego otherwise there will be difficulty. You can’t enter land of Shiva with an ego.
As we crossed Nepal into Tibet, I noticed my first sign of breathlessness. It makes you very slow, tired, and every step makes you take you are out of breath. You just have to take things slow and easy. There is no time to rush because there is nowhere to go other than just walk so it’s good to take it slow and enjoy the moment. One thing is important in this yatra is to always cover your head, ears and chest. Ears somehow play a role in altitude sickness so if they are covered there is less chance of getting sick. At mansarovar, we were told by our guruji to take three dips. One for ourself, second for our ancestors, and third for anyone who couldn’t make it. Three was minimum but maximum could be any number. As I entered the water, it was freezing cold and it took my breath away. In that moment I thought how will I dip when I can even stand in it. But as I got closer to guruji, I poured water on him and he poured water on my head and somehow the water was warm which gave me the strength to go on and take many dips. They say that celestial beings and saptarishis come take bath in this lake so it’s very sacred. You feel it when you are there staring at majestic Kailash while taking dips. You even forget how cold the water is. It’s almost healing to release all your darkness into the lake. I cried and cried as every sob came from deep within me. The water of mansarovar is like a womb so that was the best analogy that I can give to describe the feeling and the healing it gives you afterwards.
As I stayed in there for a very long time I lost all my body strength and was not able to hold my weight as I was coming out. I felt I was going to die there but my husband pulled me out and somehow I managed to change into warm clothing and just laid in the sun to get the warmth. I kept on shivering and crying as if something in me was just being released.
Next day was a big day as we were to embark on the parikrama. However, I woke up with extreme fatigue with no desire to leave my bed. I can describe the feeling as when one is faced with fever and the body is so weak to even move. I couldn’t believe what I was feeling. I knew that I didn’t request the pony for my parikrama, and walking three days on foot seemed impossible. I doubted if I was ever going to make it. Somehow I managed to get ready and forced some food down as it becomes difficult to eat when altitude sickness hits you. At the base of the parikrama I saw guruji, and seeked his blessings before departure. First thing he asked was “how was I feeling”? I said sick and don’t know if I will make it. He told me Shiva called you here, you will be fine, just take some coca (homeopathic medicine to help with more oxygen). Before this day, I hadn’t taken any medication but with the altitude sickness and a weak body I had no choice but to seek what was available to help. As we crossed the yama dwar, every step I took was like a stone. All the Sherpas passing me by asked me why haven’t I take a pony since I was having such a difficult time walking. All these concerns coming from natives worried me further but I kept going at my own pace while chanting Aum Namah Shivaya. At times I wondered what have I gotten myself into. I enjoyed the beauty of Kailash so much that I wondered if God has slowed me down purposely so I can spend enjoying his beautiful abode.
In my daily life I am a very fast walker and I do everything very fast so this was very difficult for me. I watched everyone pass me by and I could only wonder how are they able to do this so easily. I cried at times and kept chanting Aum Namah Shivaya. During the parikara, I was so exhausted that I sat down at a rock to rest. At the same time it started drizzling and someone from my group came and asked me if I had looked up. I gazed and saw the west face of Kailash staring right at me. It was so breathtaking that I started crying and asked for his blessings. I prostrated at this point and just enjoyed the sheer beauty and magic of the moment. It was just me and him to enjoy this quiet moment with rain drops falling. I felt so blessed at that moment, that all my worries and doubts went away.
The tiredness and weakness kept on getting stronger as the day progressed, and at the end of the day I had my eyes closed while walking. I didn’t care what anyone thought of me as God himself was carrying me. My Sherpa, a teenage Tibetan girl had to carry my bag, and hold my hand to make me walk faster. I was so weak at this point that I just walked as she led me. It was the weakest point in my life as far as strength goes. It was breaking down of my ego shell I guess, because I am always in a rush and don’t ask for help much in life so this was a lesson to slow down, observe and let others help you when things get difficult. I have trouble with all these attributes so as I am writing this the lessons are becoming clear ;). At last the day ended with the beautiful view of the mighty North Face of Kailash. After I reached the base stop for that day, all my tiredness vanished as if it was all an illusion. I had imagined this moment for the longest when I will stand in front of North face, but when the moment actually came it was too late in the evening and the exhaustion of the day made it impossible to sit and meditate in front of him.
Next day I requested an emergency pony as I couldn’t imagine walking the toughest day of the parikrama on foot. The pony was just to take me to Dolma la pass and afterwards it was all walking again. As we left for Dolma la Pass I couldn’t see North face again because it was covered in clouds as if he was hiding, and asking me to come and visit him again next time. How I longed to see him but the cloud cover never left and he was gone from my view. I just thanked the pony that carried me, all the mountains that allowed me to get an emergency pony at the last moment and mighty Shiva himself for all the hardship that he gave me. All of these moments are cherished in my memory as gems.
After the pony dropped me off at Dolma la pass, the next beautiful gem that Kailash had to offer was breathtaking Gauri Kund, which is nestled between big boulders of mountain and rocks as if they are all protecting this precious land of the Goddess. The whole place was so special and one has to experience it for themselves. I so wished to go down to the kund but due to lack of energy I couldn’t go. However, my husband went down and got the holy water from mother’s womb, and we both shared it and during this small hail started falling as if the Goddess herself is blessing all of the beings present there at that moment. These simple moments made all the journey less tiring even though the body was just revolting at every step. Rest of the journey was very very long and I remember walking 17 to 18 hrs that day. But the day ended on the high note as the rain drops fell from the sky as we reached the base for that night with two rainbows paving the way. That moment was very rewarding to witness it at Kailash as if the Gods were speaking and blessing everyone.
Next day was very easy compare to the first two days. It felt very refreshing to actually feel light and be able to walk at a good pace. The whole journey ended so fast and I was glad to have made ¾ of the journey on foot and made a mental note to walk the entirety of it next time. I felt as if I had left most of my darkness at the feet of the lord and that’s why I had to go through the hardship of such pain and discomfort. Even the pain felt like prasad in the end.
I longed to see the faces of Kailash again but it was not possible. I said my goodbye to the Lord and all the celestial beings that reside in that region for letting me come there to fulfill my desire which might have been there from past births. The feeling that you come back with is nothing anyone can describe. The emptiness that you gain, the solitude that you feel, are all the gifts that can only come from the center of the universe called Kailash. We all wish to quite ourselves and gain clarity, you get all of that and much more from setting foot on that sacred land. I prostrate eternally at my eternal guru which resides within me, guiding me always whose name is SHIVA, and to my physical guruji who was there with me silently always during the trek helping me along the way to complete my journey. Aum Namah Shivaya.
Useful tips.
• Always cover head, and chest area.
• Hire a pony even though you may not even use it. Ponies can carry your bags that porters may not carry. Even the slightest weight can feel like a brick on your back while walking.
• I only used coca, homeopathic medicine for hypoxia. Other allopathic means like Diamox are available but at the cost of drinking extra water while walking.
• Get good walking sticks if planning on walking.
• Always carry chocolates as simple sugars give boost and helps with walking. I craved salt on the last day as I got tired of sweetness. Having some flavor helps with feeling good while walking.
• Always eat even though you may loose your appetite. Eating prevents you from getting more ill in the high altitude.
• When sleeping in a closed environment always leave the door or window open. This prevents the hypoxia by allowing more oxygen to flow into the room while you sleep. Since all the rooms on the sharing basis imagine everyone breathing C02 and enough 02 in the air. This sure will lead to more sickness.
II Jai Sat Guru II
Guru Ma, thank you so much for describing your pilgrimage experiences and learning’s of sacred Kailash and later asking Pulkit and Ruby ji to describe their own Journey experiences. I have read them and felt that as if i also have done this pilgrimage along and offered my deepest gratitude to lord. While reading narrations my eyes got moist with tear of joys and thanksgiving. It is so wonderful. Thank you so much Ma, Pulkit and Ruby ji.
Let me Pray to lord to call us also in his abode bless us with his darshan.
Gratitude
Paripurna
My dear Paripurna, I will never forget my very special experience in Kailash when I circumambulating the holy mountain. At the very first sight, I was weeping. I prayed to Kailash to remove all my ego. I cried because I felt so small in front of this magnum opus, a marvelous creation of God and felt how small I was in front of it. Kailash gives very high class experiences to the pilgrims. If God wills, we will be called for its darshan…..God bless, Ma