!! Om Namah Shivaya !!
During the auspicious Shravan month, under the meticulous guidance and loving care of Swami Abhedanandaji, a group of 77 delegates embarked on the much anticipated Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, and had a very fulfilling darshan of the magnificent Mount Kailash and the mesmerizing Mansarovar Lake.
The Yatra commenced on Aug 20th as the delegates gathered in Kathmandu from all parts of the world – South Africa, Singapore, India, USA, Australia, Hong Kong, Philippines, Guyana. Seeking gracious blessings of Lord Pashupatinath on the inaugural day, everyone witnessed the majestic Aarti of Lord Mahadev. Next day morning, the delegates were treated with a fabulous Ariel tour of Mt. Everest and the nearby peaks, followed by a visit of the famous Swayambhu sleeping Lord Budhaneelkantha Vishnu temple. During these two days in Kathmandu, there were soulful discourses conduced by Swami Abhedanandaji on the famous stuti of Lord Shiva – ‘Rudrashtakam’. In his talks, Swamiji emphasized that we have come on this trip as Teerth Yatris and not as tourists or mountaineers, and thus the sole purpose & goal of the trip should be to please the Lord, invoke His infinite grace and express our gratitude towards Him.
On Aug 22nd, the group left from Kathmandu and began their journey towards Lord Kailashpati. First stop was Nepalgunj, followed by Simikot and Hilsa. As the helicopters took the delegates from Simikot to Hilsa in smaller groups of 5-6 people each, the outside mountain-top views were absolutely stunning and picturesque. From Hilsa, after crossing the border and clearing the Chinese immigration, there was a night stay scheduled in Purang (Tibet).
As everyone got acclimatized to the altitude and temperature change, the group then travelled from Purang to Mansarovar Lake via Rakshastaal. Awed by the divinity and vastness of Mansarovar Lake, all the devotees were spell-bound, and they offered prayers and prostrations with a grateful heart towards that Lord who made them see & touch the serene waters of the pious Mansarovar Lake. In Swamiji’s words – “Mansarovar represents the Mind of Lord Shiva, and having darshan of Mansarovar externally or taking a dip in its water should not just remain as an outer act, rather it should be an attempt to make our small minds tune with the Lord’s Total Mind!”
On Aug 26th, the delegates reached Darchen, the base camp of Mount Kailash and stayed overnight. Throughout the way, the whole group was provided with best-in-class hotel/guest house accommodation as per the location, and ample supply of delicious vegetarian food and mineral water. Even in the face of unexpected delays and other uncertainties, no one lost their focus & hope, and kept chanting the powerful Margabandhu stotra repeatedly as advised by Swamiji. The group remained in elevated high spirits as a result of Swamiji’s inspiring satsangs where he constantly revealed the secrets of holding on to the Lord and getting more and more surrendered at His feet.
Finally came the most awaited day, Aug 27th, when the arduous 3-day Parikrama of Mount Kailash began. At the starting point of Parikrama, the devotees passed through the Yam Dwar, and embarked on the most difficult part of the yatra. Moving ahead tirelessly, some on foot, some of pony and chanting Lord’s name with each step, the yatris had their first darshan of the beautiful Lord Kailash (West face) during this first day of Parikrama. Each yatri was mesmerized as they witnessed Lord’s grandeur and beauty, unlike they have ever imaged. Indeed, it is rightly said that merits of several births and immense grace of the Lord alone can culminate in the possibility of such a yatra!
Deraphuk was the first halt in the 3-day Parikrama where the Lord, in His full magnanimity, revealed Himself through the North face. With tearful eyes and immense gratitude towards the benevolent Lord, the yatris performed Aarti of the gracious Lord upon arrival at Deraphuk. The twilight Aarti experience was beyond words to say the least! On the following day, everyone continued to Zuthulphuk, with the fulfilling darshan of Gauri Kund (Pool of great compassion) on the way. On the third and the last day of Parikrama, the group returned back to Darchen, thus completing the most memorable circumambulation of Lord Kailash.
Though there were numerous hurdles & unasked challenges, but with the presence of a Mahatma like Swami Abhedanandaji, every obstacle became an opportunity to perform austerity and call upon Bhagwan even more intensely. During this unbelievably arduous yatra, inspite of varied circumstances, each yatri felt the divine touch of Lord Mahadev deep in his heart.
Upon arrival in Kathmandu on Aug 31st, the yatra was concluded with a valedictory function wherein Swamiji elaborated on the importance of undertaking this beautiful yatra. Swamiji said in his concluding discourse – “Just as the outer journey was filled with constant anticipation of seeing Mount Kailash, asking everyone how long will it take, how far is it, or how is the darshan going to be like; similarly we must pursue our inward journey undeterred by outer circumstances, constantly seeking the Highest Goal of life, asking ourselves how long will we be stuck in the rut of life, how far is our Goal, and how is that ultimate experience going to be like!” Every delegate was presented by Swamiji with a small murthy of Nandi Bhagwan, one who is the symbol of service with complete surrender and no insistence.
Everyone left with a fulfilled and blissful heart, expressing their deepest gratitude towards Swamiji and towards all the organizers & volunteers for having gotten the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness the beautiful Lord of Lords, Lord Kailashpati Mahadev!
