Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
<strong>GO</strong> TREK<br />
Himalayan Travel Trivia<br />
‘Explore.Dream.Discover’- Mark Twain<br />
What are these?<br />
Mani stones:<br />
You may come across stones or stone walls with Tibetan<br />
script engraved on them. These stones are called ‘Mani<br />
Stones’. Mani stones have powerful mantras inscribed on<br />
them soliciting the gods to protect villages and travelers.<br />
Chorten:<br />
Chortens are small Buddhist stupas which are erected at<br />
mountain passes, near bridges and at points where paths<br />
converge. These are built to commemorate an important<br />
event or a milestone, or to ward off evil spirits.<br />
Gateway Chortens:<br />
Gateway chortens prevents bad spirits from entering<br />
the settlements or villages.<br />
Prayer Wheels:<br />
Turning a Buddhist prayer wheel (clockwise direction)<br />
while chanting the mantra ‘Om Mane Padme Hum’<br />
(Hail to the jewel in the Lotus) is supposed to add merit<br />
to your life. In temples or stupas, while turning the prayer<br />
wheels you are supposed to circumambulate in a clockwise<br />
direction, from right to left.<br />
Prayer Flags:<br />
The colourful flags that you see strung atop Buddhist<br />
homes or around mountain passes and bridges<br />
have prayers or mantras printed on them. Of red,<br />
blue, green, white and yellow colours, each flag<br />
has a special prayer (usually asking for happiness,<br />
peace and prosperity) and a wind horse drawn in<br />
the middle to deliver the prayers to the gods. The<br />
colours signify the five elements – space (blue), fire<br />
(red), water (green), earth (yellow) and air (white).<br />
| 70
Change language