Darchen
30th June 2018: Today I woke up approx 7:45am(CST) We got breakfast approx 9am(CST) Today's menu was Puri & sabji along with water lemon.
We were boarded in small length buses approx 10:45am (CST) & started for Darchen approx 11am (CST). The road was picturesque. It was cemented road just laying leisurely in between the world famous Tibetian plateau. The mountains seemed to me just drawn by a little boy in his leisure time. Due to the clear visibility, you can spot every ridge of the mountains. We took our 1st stop at Rakshas Tal. It's a huge lake with crystal-clear bluish green water. To touch the water you need to get down approx 200 meters.
Some yatirs got down to touch the water, some wanted to take a bath as they believed that bathing in this water removed all the 'rakshas intentions' & when they would take bath at Mansarovar, they would be pure.
I did not want to get down mainly two reasons:
This is totally my view. But from the edge, I was able to visualize the whole lake. I do not have such power to describe this beauty, but it was awesome. Every moment I felt, the fight I had been fought with myself to come to this place was worth. The money I had spent to participate in this expedition was condign. I am lucky to able to view this wonderful view. I thanked God from bottom of my heart. My eyes were filled with tears not in sorrow but due to happiness. The blue water framed in the yellowish sand... on the opposite side Gurla Mandhata is standing at 25,240 feet, the 34th highest peak in the world. As per wiki, it's Tibetan name, Naimona'nyi, is said to come from naimo = "herbal medicine", na = "black", nyi = "heaped-up slabs", giving "the mountain of heaped-up slabs of black herbal medicine.
As per epic, Mandhata was one of the early rulers in the lineage of Ikshvaku Kings and was one of the forefathers of Lord Rama. King Ikshvaku, after whom the lineage of Rama is named, was the son of Manu. The lineage from Manu to Mandhata is thus… Manu → Ikshvaku → Kukshi → Vikukshi → Baana → Anaranya → Prithu → Trishanku → Dundumara → Yuvanashava → Mandhata… And the twenty-fifth generation from Mandhata was born Sri Rama.
After an hour break, we had started our journey again. There were lots of turns on our road. Suddenly in front of us, shining in the bright sun, there was a blue stretch. Someone informed us it was Mansarovar, the ethereal lake. We eagerly saw that side. Everyone was thrilled to see the Lake and different emotions rolled out as we approached it. It was right side on our way. Then we got the clear view of the famous, most sacred Lake Mansarovar. Our bus ran along with the bank of the lake. Its huge light blue water gave the feeling of the sea. Our guide asked us to deboard from the bus & they provided a bucket & mug to take bath in the lake. Taking a dip in the lake was prohibited, but devotees could take the water from the lake & can bath in the bank was allowed. So 80% yatris went to the lake to take water, Some of them tried to go into the deep water to collect more pure water :P. We (Soma, Enakshi & me) did not find it okay to take bath. We wanted to give ourselves to some more time to acclimatize with the high altitude, weather & wind. Yes, it was full of chilly wind. We, 3 girls, went to some 20 meters away from the spot where others were busy with their bathing process. We went to the knee-deep water. The first touch was too cool, but within some moments it was okay. I & Soma took some clips of that most exciting moment. Enakshi sat on the bank in a relax mood.
Lake Manasarovar, also called Mapam Yumtso, is a high altitude freshwater lake fed by the Kailash Glaciers (as per wiki). The Sanskrit word "Manasarovar" (मानसरोवर) is a combination of two Sanskrit words; "Mánas" (मानस) meaning "mind (in its widest sense as applied to all the mental powers), intellect, intelligence, understanding, perception, sense, conscience" while "sarovara" (सरोवर) means "a lake or large pond".
As per the legend, this Lake was created by Lord Brahma, from his mind, for the request of 12 rishis (sage) who lived here. These rishis were the son of Brahma, prayer for Lord Shiva & Parvati & they decided to stay near Kailash as this is the adobe of Lord Shiva. But the storage of water was the great obstacle to live there. Hence they prayed to Brahma to help them.
After one and a half hour, we were on our way to Darchen which were the base camp for starting the Kailash Parikrama. We took a 10 min halt near China Mt. Kailash Tourist center to get the pass for Mansarovar parikrama (circumambulation). After a turn, Mt.Kailash was clearly visible. It was a like big White ice scroop & clearly identifiable as there was no other ice-capped mountain at that side. Most of the yatris started to chant the "Om Namah Shivaya". Everyone wanted to take a break to view the Lord's Adobe clearly. So our guide permitted us to take another half an hour break at the point from where Mt. Kailash was clearly visible. Again we resumed our journey & the road was as smooth as any helipad. China really knows its way to good infrastructure. The road was passing through the famous Tibetan plateau. We reached Darchen approx 3:00pm (CST). It's a small town which treated the base camp for Kailash Parikrama. There were lots of souvenir shops available here. We were stayed as per our pre-booked guest house as per the schedule. As per our itinerary, our guide Suraj along with his crew (containing 5 cooks & helpers along with cooking utensils & vegetables & grocery) came with us on the same buses. So after reaching there, they started to prepare the lunch. There was multiple one-story building where only basic facilities were available. There was a large ground in front of our guest house. We gathered there to view the Mt. Kailash south face. There was only a single ice-clad mountain was visible. No other such high range mountain. It seemed to me the Mt. Kailash is the head of the other small mountains. The whole mountain was covered by ice. But there was some Swastik shape was visible. Arvind, one of the yatri, showed us the zoomed view through his camera & told us it is representing the Saptarishi.
We were served hot tea within 15 mins. I took the tea as it was quite cold there. So everyone was gathered inside the kitchen which was containing two rooms and a proper kitchen. Approx 4:30pm (CST) we were served hot pulao. The taste was awesome, might be due to hunger or really the taste was different.
After lunch, we were decided to take a troll in the nearby market. Soma, Enakshi, I and Enakshi went to the nearby shops just for window shopping. There were lots of Tibetian small shops on both sides of the road. The road was super smooth!! You never imagined such smooth road in India. The shops sell Tibetian jewelry, bangles, wall hanging, door hanging along with some religious things most of which you would get from Delhi Janpath market. Meenakshi bought a walking stick also paying 25 Yuan. We went to the local post office, from where Soma sent some Picture card to her nephew & niece which cost approx 10 Yuan. Meenakshi bought some gifts from the post office which cost a little bit high.
After some time Meenakshi went back to the hotel but we continued. We went to the far end of the road & then turned back. The Mt. Kailash was clearly visible from the road. On a brownish grey background, the white mountain gave a different look.
We came back to the hotel & did some chit-chat with Suraj. He told us he had only 5-6 years of experience in this field. He had to work 6 months especially this yatra time 24*7hours, & then he got 6 months of leaves which he spent with his family in Lhasa which was approximately 1500km far from Darchen. He liked to continue this next 10-15 yrs. He is a Tibetian Buddhist & religious person, not like me. His little pony, not like Amitabh Bachchan, attracted me a lot :P
We were served Roti, rice, dal & sabji as dinner at about 8:00 pm(CST) That time still the daylight was available. It gave the feeling of 5-5:30pm to me. Outside the kitchen, we found a rainbow. we were happy to see this, but someone told that the sky was not clear, so the rain was expected.
After dinner, our group decided to spend some time doing bhajan. This time I thought I should join there. But God doesn't want to hear it. I heard a sound of some famous old Hindi sweet song was singing someone inside the kitchen. Without thinking for a moment my direction was changed & I entered the kitchen. It was Deepak, one of Suraj's helper along with Suraj sang the songs. I was struck. They had really a melodious voice. I found it better than Bhajan which was really nothing but an outcry.
This time we were allotted a double sharing room which I had shared with Shruti. Though the room was quite small, after two single bed there was little space to move. But the white bed was cozy. There was a big window from where I could found the large moon in the night.
We were boarded in small length buses approx 10:45am (CST) & started for Darchen approx 11am (CST). The road was picturesque. It was cemented road just laying leisurely in between the world famous Tibetian plateau. The mountains seemed to me just drawn by a little boy in his leisure time. Due to the clear visibility, you can spot every ridge of the mountains. We took our 1st stop at Rakshas Tal. It's a huge lake with crystal-clear bluish green water. To touch the water you need to get down approx 200 meters.
Some yatirs got down to touch the water, some wanted to take a bath as they believed that bathing in this water removed all the 'rakshas intentions' & when they would take bath at Mansarovar, they would be pure.
I did not want to get down mainly two reasons:
- Just imagine a bowl and we were standing at the edge of the bowl. The path was made purely by pebbles so everytime it was slipping. It was so much descending that it would not be so easy to come back on the edge.
- And the most important thing for me is the beauty. Sometimes when you view something from a distance you could view the real beauty. On the other hand, the close view messes the beauty.
This is totally my view. But from the edge, I was able to visualize the whole lake. I do not have such power to describe this beauty, but it was awesome. Every moment I felt, the fight I had been fought with myself to come to this place was worth. The money I had spent to participate in this expedition was condign. I am lucky to able to view this wonderful view. I thanked God from bottom of my heart. My eyes were filled with tears not in sorrow but due to happiness. The blue water framed in the yellowish sand... on the opposite side Gurla Mandhata is standing at 25,240 feet, the 34th highest peak in the world. As per wiki, it's Tibetan name, Naimona'nyi, is said to come from naimo = "herbal medicine", na = "black", nyi = "heaped-up slabs", giving "the mountain of heaped-up slabs of black herbal medicine.
As per epic, Mandhata was one of the early rulers in the lineage of Ikshvaku Kings and was one of the forefathers of Lord Rama. King Ikshvaku, after whom the lineage of Rama is named, was the son of Manu. The lineage from Manu to Mandhata is thus… Manu → Ikshvaku → Kukshi → Vikukshi → Baana → Anaranya → Prithu → Trishanku → Dundumara → Yuvanashava → Mandhata… And the twenty-fifth generation from Mandhata was born Sri Rama.
After an hour break, we had started our journey again. There were lots of turns on our road. Suddenly in front of us, shining in the bright sun, there was a blue stretch. Someone informed us it was Mansarovar, the ethereal lake. We eagerly saw that side. Everyone was thrilled to see the Lake and different emotions rolled out as we approached it. It was right side on our way. Then we got the clear view of the famous, most sacred Lake Mansarovar. Our bus ran along with the bank of the lake. Its huge light blue water gave the feeling of the sea. Our guide asked us to deboard from the bus & they provided a bucket & mug to take bath in the lake. Taking a dip in the lake was prohibited, but devotees could take the water from the lake & can bath in the bank was allowed. So 80% yatris went to the lake to take water, Some of them tried to go into the deep water to collect more pure water :P. We (Soma, Enakshi & me) did not find it okay to take bath. We wanted to give ourselves to some more time to acclimatize with the high altitude, weather & wind. Yes, it was full of chilly wind. We, 3 girls, went to some 20 meters away from the spot where others were busy with their bathing process. We went to the knee-deep water. The first touch was too cool, but within some moments it was okay. I & Soma took some clips of that most exciting moment. Enakshi sat on the bank in a relax mood.
Lake Manasarovar, also called Mapam Yumtso, is a high altitude freshwater lake fed by the Kailash Glaciers (as per wiki). The Sanskrit word "Manasarovar" (मानसरोवर) is a combination of two Sanskrit words; "Mánas" (मानस) meaning "mind (in its widest sense as applied to all the mental powers), intellect, intelligence, understanding, perception, sense, conscience" while "sarovara" (सरोवर) means "a lake or large pond".
As per the legend, this Lake was created by Lord Brahma, from his mind, for the request of 12 rishis (sage) who lived here. These rishis were the son of Brahma, prayer for Lord Shiva & Parvati & they decided to stay near Kailash as this is the adobe of Lord Shiva. But the storage of water was the great obstacle to live there. Hence they prayed to Brahma to help them.
After one and a half hour, we were on our way to Darchen which were the base camp for starting the Kailash Parikrama. We took a 10 min halt near China Mt. Kailash Tourist center to get the pass for Mansarovar parikrama (circumambulation). After a turn, Mt.Kailash was clearly visible. It was a like big White ice scroop & clearly identifiable as there was no other ice-capped mountain at that side. Most of the yatris started to chant the "Om Namah Shivaya". Everyone wanted to take a break to view the Lord's Adobe clearly. So our guide permitted us to take another half an hour break at the point from where Mt. Kailash was clearly visible. Again we resumed our journey & the road was as smooth as any helipad. China really knows its way to good infrastructure. The road was passing through the famous Tibetan plateau. We reached Darchen approx 3:00pm (CST). It's a small town which treated the base camp for Kailash Parikrama. There were lots of souvenir shops available here. We were stayed as per our pre-booked guest house as per the schedule. As per our itinerary, our guide Suraj along with his crew (containing 5 cooks & helpers along with cooking utensils & vegetables & grocery) came with us on the same buses. So after reaching there, they started to prepare the lunch. There was multiple one-story building where only basic facilities were available. There was a large ground in front of our guest house. We gathered there to view the Mt. Kailash south face. There was only a single ice-clad mountain was visible. No other such high range mountain. It seemed to me the Mt. Kailash is the head of the other small mountains. The whole mountain was covered by ice. But there was some Swastik shape was visible. Arvind, one of the yatri, showed us the zoomed view through his camera & told us it is representing the Saptarishi.
We were served hot tea within 15 mins. I took the tea as it was quite cold there. So everyone was gathered inside the kitchen which was containing two rooms and a proper kitchen. Approx 4:30pm (CST) we were served hot pulao. The taste was awesome, might be due to hunger or really the taste was different.
After lunch, we were decided to take a troll in the nearby market. Soma, Enakshi, I and Enakshi went to the nearby shops just for window shopping. There were lots of Tibetian small shops on both sides of the road. The road was super smooth!! You never imagined such smooth road in India. The shops sell Tibetian jewelry, bangles, wall hanging, door hanging along with some religious things most of which you would get from Delhi Janpath market. Meenakshi bought a walking stick also paying 25 Yuan. We went to the local post office, from where Soma sent some Picture card to her nephew & niece which cost approx 10 Yuan. Meenakshi bought some gifts from the post office which cost a little bit high.
After some time Meenakshi went back to the hotel but we continued. We went to the far end of the road & then turned back. The Mt. Kailash was clearly visible from the road. On a brownish grey background, the white mountain gave a different look.
We came back to the hotel & did some chit-chat with Suraj. He told us he had only 5-6 years of experience in this field. He had to work 6 months especially this yatra time 24*7hours, & then he got 6 months of leaves which he spent with his family in Lhasa which was approximately 1500km far from Darchen. He liked to continue this next 10-15 yrs. He is a Tibetian Buddhist & religious person, not like me. His little pony, not like Amitabh Bachchan, attracted me a lot :P
We were served Roti, rice, dal & sabji as dinner at about 8:00 pm(CST) That time still the daylight was available. It gave the feeling of 5-5:30pm to me. Outside the kitchen, we found a rainbow. we were happy to see this, but someone told that the sky was not clear, so the rain was expected.
After dinner, our group decided to spend some time doing bhajan. This time I thought I should join there. But God doesn't want to hear it. I heard a sound of some famous old Hindi sweet song was singing someone inside the kitchen. Without thinking for a moment my direction was changed & I entered the kitchen. It was Deepak, one of Suraj's helper along with Suraj sang the songs. I was struck. They had really a melodious voice. I found it better than Bhajan which was really nothing but an outcry.
This time we were allotted a double sharing room which I had shared with Shruti. Though the room was quite small, after two single bed there was little space to move. But the white bed was cozy. There was a big window from where I could found the large moon in the night.
| Day 13 - Taklakot (Rest day) | Home | Day 15 - Dehraphuk |
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