India Festival 2010

India Festival 2010
we could see Kailash. Our excitement was rising.
Mansorvar is a huge sweet water lake with blue water
and endless beauty. We did Parikramar in the jeep
and bathed in the holy waters of Lake Mansorvar. The
water was freezing cold. We did Pritrutrapan pooja.
Brahmaji’s thoughts and Sarovan was created. One
hundred and fifty meters away was Rakashtal, created
by Ravan’s prayers which is a salt water lake.
You can sit on the banks of Mansorvar and
imagine Lord Shankara and Parvatiiji bathing. We
stayed at Chidanada swami Ashram in Mansorvar.
We stayed in one room with eight beds. When we
were at the hostel we were at 15,000 feet. Everybody
was moving slowly, when we hiked. We stayed two
nights and left for Darchen. That’s the base town
before Kailash. We visited Astapad and Mount Meru.
It was an amazing site.
The next day we all started for Kailash. We passed
through ‘Yam Dawra’ and proceeded to Panilerama
route. We all got horses and asked the Pitthu person
to carry our hand luggage. The bright shiny sun and
yet cold mountain air gave us a heavenly feeling.
When we started the journey it was 11:30 And some
people walked others rode horses. The terrain was
rough, and there were scattered little streams of
water and rocks. The land was all plateau with little
uphills. It was around 18kms and we reached our
first stop Dirapuk. Swami Chidamadaji had built a
beautiful Ashram. Now we could finally see Kailash.
With its lovely layers of snow and strips of granite
shining through, Mt Kailash left us in awe. You feel
omnipotent when you view it. Merged with the
surrounding sunset the mountain became golden.
It is the most lasting impressionable memory of my
journey.
The next day we hiked 25kms and it was a
tiresome journey we started. As soon as we walked
out we have to go down in the river. We crossed the
frozen river and climb up 50 feet. It was so difficult, it
left us breathless. The path was curvy uphill around
Kailash and in five hours we reached Dolma la pass.
At an elevation 19,000 feet we can see Gaurikaund.
A most blessed site. The oxygen level in the air was
only 20%. One step was taking five minutes and we
had to go down the Mountain. There was no path,
rough terrain and we have to watch our every step.
We crossed frozen Rivers, and climbed down at least
three thousand feet. It was the most difficult part of
our journey. We Were then walking by river and
rocks. The path was getting better but we to have to
finish 25 km. That Day we passed through a campsite.
A belt of mountains and the river Kailash disappeared
as we Descended the mountain. Amongst the snow
flurries we reached our campsite after 12 hours. We
drank Tea and had Khichdi for dinner. This campsite
is named Zukhapuk.
The next day was our last day. We had only 10-12
kms left. Our group had a journey left of Uphill and
downhill. We reached a plateau of 15,000 feet. The
river gorge was beautiful on the left and Very scenic.
Our journey returning from Kailash returned us to
civilization. We were elated and had some Lemon
juice. Then we headed to saga. We bathed finally after
five days. It was a most challenging trip.
Going to Kailash shows you how fragile our lives
are. If god only reduces one element, our Existence
is a challenge. It gives you serenity, divinity, and
wisdom to be desire less. No phone, Television, utter
silence really helps one to look within themselves.
Om Namoh Shivay.
By: Dr. Gaurangi Patel
www.gujaratisamaj.org 67 GUJARATI SAMAJ OF TAMPA BAY