KAILAS YATRA 23RD MAY TO 6TH JUNE 2019

THE GOLDEN KAILASH - EVER TO BE CHERISHED  RAMA & SAVITHRI  - AT THE SUMMIT ICE BOUND KAILASH WITH A GOLDEN HUE - KAILASH MANASAROVAR -CRYSTAL  CLEAR & KAILAS AT THE BACK  ASTAPARVATH - KAILAS & NANDHI KAILAS - CLOTHED IN SNOW DAY -1 AGAINST THE TIBETAN PLATEAU A group of 43 of us lead by one Kumeresayya, a Shivanadiyar left Chennai by Air India flight to Delhi - Kathmandu. Leaving Chennai at 8.40 am , we reached Kathmandu by 2.30 pm At Kathmandu we checked in a hotel called Marshyangdi ( name of a river), a three star hotel. There was a chartered bus to be with us to bring us to the hotel and see temples around. Around 6.00 pm all of us left the hotel to Pasupathinath temple , a very important Shiva temple. We could see the arathi there. Returned and had a well placed Buffer dinner in the Lumbini restaurant below. [ ARRIVING AT TRIBUVAN AIRPORT NEPAL  AT MARSYANGADI HOTEL KUMARESSAYYA  SAVITHRI AT THE HOTEL GOING AROUND NEPAL BUS RIDE TO PASUPATHINATH AROUND THE TOWN OUR GROUP THE LADIES OF THE GROUP PASUPATHINATH TEMPLE ENTRANCE AT THE TEMPLE A SADHU GEARED UP OUR TRANSPORT BUS Day - 2 We left the hotel at 9.00 am after a sumptuous breakfast. Reached Pasupathinath temple once again this time to see abishekam of Lord Shiva. It was a very good darshan. Then from there left to Guhyeswari temple, situated on otherside of Bagmathi river, one of the shakthi peedas where the  back lower side if the Devi fell. We had to travel by cars while strong ones preferred to walk across. After darshan of Devi, we all entered our vans and travelled to Jala Narayan temple . It took more than half an hr of travel. Here Lord Vishnu is lying under water and his reflection can also be seen in the water . A very strange phenomenon. After the darshan of that  We moved to the Syambhu Buddha temple where Lord Buddha's eyes are laid to rest. The Tempe situated in  a hillock is typical Buddha architecture and we had to climb the hill to see the same. GUYESWARA TEMPLE =SHAKTHI PEEDAM BUDHHA TEEMPLE AND JALANARAYAN TEMPLE JALA NARAYAN TEMPLE KATHMANDU TOWN  Day -3 we left the hotel Marshyangadi at about 7.45 am after having a good buffet breakfast. About 12 Scorpio vehicles were lined up to take us to Syaburbesi close to China border 160 kms far. In each of the vehicle only 4 members were accommodated, the rear side being reserved for luggage. Each member was given a huge zip bag and a small packsack. We had packed all our luggage into those bags and left the extra in the hotel itself. The journey to Syabrubesi along the hills was one most horrendous one. The hill roads were one of the worst I have seen. The ride was so rough that it shook our insides out. It took 7 and half hrs to cover the distance. Only Silverpoint was a good lunch at Durbar hotel Midway. One side of the route was panoramic with the river TRISHULI river following us all the way. it seems it comes from China and it is one major tributary of Narayani river.  After the tough journey we got a relief landing at the only good hotel - Hotel Kailash at Syabrubesi very close to the border. Our room was allotted in the 4th floor. It gave us a good climb. At 6.30 pm onwards we gathered in the lounge below . We had a good spiritual lecture by Kumeresayya, Swamigal from Periyakulam Adhistanam and another one from our group.After the stimulating spiritual session it was a very well prepared dinner by a Nepalese lady GETTING READY FOR SYABRUBESI  IN THE JEEP TRISHULI RIVER TRISHULI RIVER RANK BAD ROADS AT NEPAL SIDE and assistants. Taking to bed by 9.30 pm.  Day - 4  Started early at Syabrubesi one km off Tibet. After a good breakfast we all left for the border at around 7.00 am Close to where we stayed was the mountain river Botakosi had a look of the river which comes from China and joins Trishuli downstream. Some of us walked while others took the vehicle. Reached the Visa checking centre crossing a mini bridge.  It was a good imposing building. They we're meticulous and took more than 3 hrs in checking the Visa. But no unnecessary pinpricks like checking our phones or luggage. Once we were on other side we celebrated our smooth coming to other side. Two buses were waiting outside to transport us to the hotel at GYRIONG proper. With us was an entourage of cook and helpers who brought our luggage to our place. The mountain roads this side were wonderful to say the least. Well laid out for two lanes with side railings and mountain side guards to stem the slide downs. The hotel was well made for a mountain town with all city facilities. After settling in our rooms we had hot cup of tea/coffee/horlicks and biscuits. We had to adjust to 12500 ft altitude here and time difference of 21/2 hr earlier/ahead  timings . Lunch was served at 6.00 pm local time and we had a Pravachan at 9.00 pm followed by dinner. We had our domaxine to dilute our blood vessel and take in more oxygen in our system . We were asked to take lots of water. The night time was spent going to the loo . HOTEL KAILAS AT SYABRUBESI THE LOUNGE VISA CLEARED AT THE CHINESE ENTRANCE  EXCELLENT ROADS AT CHINESE SIDE  BEST ROADS RECEPTION AT GYRIONG -KUMARESSAYYA AADHINAM SWAMIGAL  AT THE RECEPTION WALKING THROUGH GYRIONG TRUSTED HELPERS WHO MADE THE JOURNEY COMFORTABLE Day -5  Today was a day of rest relaxation and acclimatization. All of us went around GYRIONG  to take short walks in the town around and did mini shopping. Rest of the time it was good food and relaxing. In the evening it was a spiritual and informative session of the coming days and how we have to be careful. Some videos I am trying to send below. AT GYRIONG  SUNNING IT OUT FIRST EXPERIENCE OF CHI AND ALTITUDE ICY MOUNTAINS AT THE BACK GYRIONG TOWN Day -6 We started from Gyirong  around 9.30 am to ZHONGBA  a place after Saga ( an important town) .We we're told it will take about 8 hrs of travel along the Tibetan Plateau which is a virtual desert. The landscape captivating. Large flat Sandy terrain with bare mountains forming a skirting and at places covered with snow peaks. Miles and miles of desert land with almost no population except for few small hamlets in between. SAGA was one important town , meeting point  of Brahmaputra and Tzangpo river. But we traveled further and reached ZHONGBA A travel further than Saga could help us to cover more distance , as next day we had to travel to Manasarovar which more than 300 km away.  Day 7 -  At ZONGHBA we had reached an altitude above 13,000 ft and our oxygen levels were dropping.All of us had to take the medicine Dimoxine   get our pulse rate checked. By the time we reached ZONGHBA our living conditions were also scaling down  The rooms luckily still had Western toilet but no water and limited electricity. Our helpers Padam group however were doing a splendid job. The eight of them were managing the kitchen and supplies. So in no time we were getting provided with piping hot tea/coffee/horlicks and good food. DAY 8 we started from Zongpba round about 8.30 am and travelled for couple of hrs, when we first spotted Mount Kailash at a distance. We got down from the buses and greeted the sight, doing namaskarams with wet eyes. The first spotting overwhelmed everyone. We then continued our journey towards Manasarovar where the Kailai was a constant company. In between we stopped at a close joint to have the packed lunch served. By afternoon we reached Manasarovar lake. and took a dip in the cold holy waters. It was a great feeling and then in the bus we did a Parikrama around the lake for more than an hour as the total circumference is 70km. Manasarovar is the symbol of Goddess Parvathi while Mt.Kailash Lord Shiva. FIRST DHARSHAN OF KAILAS  We then came to stay in a joint at Manasarovar. Again scaling down of facilities. We we're 5 of us in one room and no toilets at all. But no complaints as we were enjoying the friendship with others and staying together only added more comfort . The day got closed with hot food from our trusted helpers .  Day 9  We opened our eyes to beautiful Manasarovar lake view. We queued up to take bath in the holy lake water, now it was coming in pipe , heated and delivered to us in small bathing tent,  after bath changing to new festival attire we rushed to attend the homam in the banks of Manasarovar. conducted by our Kumareshayya  and group with purnahithi etc. The Sun was bright and out as though blessing us. After the homam , food and rest  we drove to Darchen around 3.00 pm from Manasarovar.  Darchen is only an hrs journey from Manasarovar. The sun is bright and out even till 7.00 pm. At Darchen accommodation at that height was quite good. Double rooms with good bed and attached bath with good toilets. There are even good market for shopping just across the hotel Gangdisi. Though excellent food was served by our boys, everybody's appetite was limited with the chill and high altitude. Now we we're almost at 15.,000 ft, Rested well that night as next day was the crucial one where our Parikrama was to start.  Day -9  After good breakfast of 'kanji and bread left Darchen by 10.00 am to Yamadvar again just an hrs drive  from Darchen. Here we came at the base of Kailas , at very close quarters. Here at Yamadvar we did a small puja, showing kalpooram etc. The group split as the persons who planned to walk and the ones opting for the horse. Among 43 only 15teen opted for the horse . The horse people had to wait for an hr. The horses finally arrived , we were picked by blind lots as to choose by face and person will make it complicated they felt. Every horse men would like to get a len passenger?  It was a 4 hr ride of the 15teen I'm or so distance. The pony rides are not anything comfortable. There is no proper spot to get in or get down enroute. The Tibetan horsemen, very free spirited and it's hard to communicate with them. In the 4 hr ride, you catch on to the horse while the back almost give way. On strength of Om Namakshivaya the ride somehow gets over. We kept an extra helper as the pony man refuses to carry any extra loads, even a small bag. Reached Derapuck Kailas by evening. Finally mission accomplished.Seeing the majestic Kailash . The rooms are good. Double bedrooms with good bedding but no toilets. Spend the night there. The day we reached there was most auspicious day, the pradosham day . Kumeresayya announced about homam to be conducted. In the freezing temperature everyone dared to come out and a glorious homam was conducted just below the snow bound Kailas. Before that myself and Savithri had recited Rudram Chamakam on the Pradosha time. Day 10 -Morning again was a glorious :darshan. We saw the 'ponnar meni- Golden Kailash with early morning Suns rays reflecting on the snow capped Kailash, through the lense Kailai was shining like molten gold. After the regular morning Shiva puja in ayyas room, the horse people had an early start to get back to the South face again at Yamadvar as permission to do other side of Parikrama was denied for everyone as the snowing in those parts was still on and pilgrims were denied to move further. So starting early by walk and horse and some by Jeep every one could reach back Yamadvar by afternoon .Our buses were waiting for us there and from there we drove back to Darchen. OUR UNIFORM LUGGAGE AT DARCHEN AT dARCHEN HOTEL THE BUS AT CHINESE CULTURAL CENTRE - INDIAN ART Spend the night there with now relaxed food and rest as with the satisfaction of Kailai dharshan over.  As we were relaxing , suddenly iyya came to our room telling there is suddenly a programme is arranged in batches to see Ashtaparvath , Kailas and Nandhi a very rare visit for which arrangements have been made. Our turn is now in the evening. We got ready in a jiffy, I picked my heavy shoes to wear it in the Jeep lest we get late.  In half an hr from Darchen along a steep hill road surrounded by Chinese army posts we climbed over to the mountain where we could see the sight of Kailash parvath with Nandhi and adjacent Ashtaparvath. We we're indeed fortunate to see this because of Kumaresayyas efforts or previously it could be seen only after laborious walks.  Day - 11 Today we started our journey back from Darchen. After the other person's also went in batches to see Ashtaparvath and a good breakfast we started our journey back at 11.00 am.It was a long journey via Manasarovar to Zongpba. Enroute we had two halts. The first one near Manasarovar lake, to do the final homam. A Thanksgiving one that our trip went off without any problem. HOMAM ON RETURN  TIBETAN LANDSCAPES THE DRIVER UNIQUE MOUNTAINS    RUGGED TERRAIN Then long stretches of travel along the desert lands of Tibetan Plateau. Our second halt was for food, A flat inn like structure were we huddled together saving us from the biting cold outside and had the lunch precooked and brought there by our organisers. Finally by 7.30pm we reached Dongpba.. Our ever efficient helpers got the dinner ready in a jiffy though our appetite to have food was limited. Day -12,  Today too on cards was an 8hr journey from Dongpba to Gyrong. The journey started from Dongpba at 9.30 am. Though all were exhausted we were happy the journey was on iis return lap and also we were,  going towards lower ranges where oxygen was becoming normal. First it was a normal halt for lunch. Then at about 5.00 pm when we  reached a small Tibetan town called Willing an hr away from Gyriang  , we were stopped by the police u forming us about a bad landslide ahead and they are trying to clear the way. It was two complete hrs , the Sun was gradually setting, when the authorities told the only way we can get along is to abandon our buses , walk on foot ,cross the landslide reach the other side and then take another bus to go further. Well this halt gave us opportunity to get a good look at the quaint Tibetan town and distribute sweets/toffees , pencils etc to the students there. We then took courage and taking our mini luggages walked over a km and climbed the landslide , helped by our ever helpful helpers and climbed to the connecting buses on other side. MOUNTAIN SHEEP CROSSING BY THE INN WE HAD FOOD BACK TO gYRIONG LOWER ALTITUDES WITH GREENARY THE ENTIRE BUS NAPPING We saw the good face of Chinese authorities who took so proper care of our safety. Finally we reached GYIRONG by 8.00 pm to the safety of well appointed hotels at Gyirong. We almost felt here like homecoming. Day - 13,  Today was the travel back to Nepal from Gyirong after getting cleared through Chinese immigration. Spirits were high. Gyriong a fairly developed town have a feeling we are now back from wilderness travelling closer home. By 8.00 am we were out of the hotel, on towards the Chinese immigration. Coming out a lot more easier, though later we heard the co Traveller Laxman from Burma was able to come out only after much grilling. Coming out of the immigration point we were on to the worst Nepal roads. A 167 km long mountain road , lying there in, in paved where every movement was like an earthquake. There were 11 jeeps, moving in convoy. A horrendous travel would not recommend to the worst if a for. Once the travel was over we were into the Kathmandu back at our Marsyangadi hotel. We we're ready to forget all hardships. ALONG TRISHULI AND BAD ROADS OF NEPAL The redeeming feature in the travel through Nepal roads were the beautiful sight of Trishuli river along the banks the road was designed. Thus the river was a constant companion. Day 14-  This day was debited for us to be together , relax after the long travel review our days together. AT KATHMANDU - DAVALESHWARAM TEMPLE ENOYING THE WARMTH OF NEPAL Morning after breakfast we left again , once more to have the darshan of 'Pasupathinath temple in the town. Added to that we also went to " Davaleshwar temple, where it is supposed to represent the head portion of Kedarnath temple. These two temple visits filled out morning and we came back for lunch to the hotel. After lunch and rest was the grand finale at the hall upstairs where the entire unit had gathered. Initially we newcomers talked about our experience in the group. Later we have our thanks, gratitude and a good purse to the tireless workers of Padam group who made this thing happen. After that each one of us were given a certificate for successful completion of the trip along with a 5kg can of the holy Manasarovar thirtham and other pradadams from the homam etc. Add caption AT THE GOLDEN SUMMIT SHARING ON OUR EXPERIANCE THE SWAMIIS -KUMERESAYYA & ADHINAM WHO LEAD US AND PADAM & GROUP WHO TOOK GOOD CARE OF US  WELCOME HOME  JAYATHI MADAM  - ONE OF THE ORGANISERS Post settings  Labels So with Lord Shiva's grace and constant spiritual guidance from Kumeresayya the trip was completed successfully and fruitfully by all the 43 members the participants of the trip