24, June 2012
Aimed to do the darshan of all the 276 Paadal Petra Shiva
Sthalangal. Would like to make yatra to Kailash and Manasarovar, before
getting too old. From the web site, learnt that most of the travel operators and
Govt restrict the age limit to 60 years. After seeing the advertisement of M/s Samrat Holidays, decided to join their June Tour to Kailash. Since it
was suggested that the June month is an ideal period to have a darshan of Mt
Kailash without rain and cold, paid Rs 10001 as an advance and booked for the
June 9th batch.
PREPARATION.
While preparing for the the yathra, I thought it might be
simple. The travel agency has given a list of materials to be carried and the
amount of money to be carried. Already paid Rs 16500 towards air ticket from
Chennai to Delhi and Delhi to Kathmandu and
back. And the balance amount of Rs 60000.00. Skipped Muktinath yatra
since I have to take 5 more days leave. So decided not to opt for the
same. Consulted the Dr and bought the medicines. For the high altitude sickness
we have to take Diamox tablet. Dr Aravind, at EB colony, advised me to
take sulphur content tablet to watch the reaction ( A Test dose ). Since there
was no symptom of reaction Dr advised me to take Diamox tablet if required.
Slowly purchased the required materials. For the shirt and pants planned to use
my old shirts and pants and purchased trekking suits from rex fashions.
Prepared the eatables like chocolates, cashew nuts, Badam nuts,
dry grapes and packed in small small sealed packets. Winter clothes like
monkey cap, thermal wear, woolen socks bought from flower bazaar market. After
getting ironed my pants and shits weighed for the actual weight ( allowed. 20
kgs and 6 kg for the hand bag ). To carry Manasarovar water thought of
taking one litre bottles 3 nos instead of carrying 5 litre can, as
advised.
When I searched in the website about the altitude sickness, it was
threatening. Then comes the trekking. Mr Velusamy who is coming for the
second time gives me a hope. Planned to trek parikrama by walk without
hiring the yak or the pony ( From the e-mail from Samrat Holidays,
that we have to pay 2000 Yuvans towards that- it was a threatening
news ). Hope Lord Shiva only has to give me courage to
face the hurdles. After the initial preparation I was eagerly waiting for
the Saturday morning ie 9th June
2012 to come. ( Supposed to start from Chennai ).
When the Saturday was nearing my heart was functioning
at a faster rate due to increase of anxiety. The news from the past yathris and
web site information increases my anxiety level further.
One Tuesday
5th June 2012 was also an
important day for me. Our Sr. Chairman Dr AC Muthiah and Achi called me
to their residence and blessed me for my yathra. It gave me
more energy and strength to make this Yathra.
On Wednesday afternoon 6th June
2012 weighed the bags and it was
about 15 Kgs and back bag was about 6 Kgs. I made minor adjustment
to reduce the weight of the back bag to 5 kgs.
The day of stating the yathra came to true on 09th June
2012, when I boarded in the plane to New Delhi.
09-06-2012. SATURDAY
The flight to Delhi took
off at 06.50 Hrs from Chennai airport, for which we had checked in
around 04.00 hrs and I could-not meet Mr Vasu who came to airport to see off
me. Since we have to go up to Kathmandu,
we have booked the luggage up to Kathmandu and
obtained two boarding passes through Jet airways. The e-ticket was booked in
advance. The flight at Delhi landed
at 09.45 Hrs. After immigration boarded the flight to Kathmandu around 12.00
Hrs and reached 13.45 hrs. After Passport verification landed in the Star hotel
Park Village, which is about an hour journey from airport. A
briefing session was conducted for the benefit of yatris at night.
10-06-2012. SUNDAY
As per the schedule today is the local visit day. We had been to mountain flight Service, Sri Pashupatinath Temple, Jala Narayana Temple and
Swayambhunath, a Buddhist temple. ( Details with Photographs are up loaded in a
separate post )
11-06-2012. MONDAY
Since the hotel room was booked up to 12.00 Hrs, we have to vacate
and stay in a hotel Kailash Mansarovar Guest house, at Kodari near the border.
We have deposited our belongings and Indian money at hotel locker and exchanged
Indian rupee to Chinese Yuan for Rs 25000.00. Packed the clothes
required for Yathra and other materials in the big bags. Reached
Kodari a place near the border. It has become uncertain, of crossing the border
to day as scheduled, due to non receipt of Group VISA. During our journey to
Kodari to Kathmandu, we have observed landslides occurred in many places. The river Bada koshi
was flowing along the bus route.
12-06-2012. TUESDAY
Rest day at Kodari. Morning went to walk up to Tatopani Hot
springs and many yathris had taken bath, some took a dip in the bada koshi
river. Spend evening time in the guest house and participated in bhajans.
13-06-2012. WEDNESDAY
We have not received any information about visa. In the morning
Sherpas with cooking vessels arrived to Kodari. Morning went to Tatopani hot
springs again.
After breakfast under took a trekking to a Buddhist monastery above
Kodari village. The pictures painted on the walls were very colour full.
Returned to Guest house and waited for the good news from Mr
Srinivasan about VISA, who had personally went to Delhi to get the Group
Visa. At last around 20.00 Hrs it was a happy news that Visa has been issued
and we will be starting 09.00 Hrs on 14-06-2012.
( The friend ship bridge between Nepal and Tibet ( China ) - From here we have to cross the border when we go through Kathmandu - Nepal route )
( Chinese Lasa Port at the border after Friendship bridge )
14-06-2012. THURSDAY
It was a great day for us. After breakfast and early lunch, we had
crossed the border around 11.50 Hrs. After verification of our visa and
passport at Chinese Lasa Port,
boarded in the bus to Nyalam. The road to Nyalam was very good and passes
through two tunnels. It was interesting to see the precautions taken to avoid
land slides by the Chinese Govt. In some places roadside stone portions were
sprayed with concrete. The bus journey was pleasant.
( Hotel at Nyalam where we stayed )
15-06-2012. FRIDAY
During morning hours we went for a trekking to the nearby mountain
for two hours. It was a different experience to see the snow capped mountains
from the top of the small hill. After break fast around 10.00 hrs we started
our journey to SAGA. The half of the distance was not good. From Nyalam to
Saga there was no trees on the hills. It changed to desert. On the way we
could find many villages with mud houses. After 5 hours travel we have
reached SAGA, which is on the banks of Brahmaputra River. Accommodated in a star hotel.
( Beautiful snow capped mountains between Nyalam to Saga )
16-06-2012. SATURDAY
Started our journey around 06-00 hrs to Manasarovar lake. Had the
first darshan of mount KAILASH south
east face from the banks of Manasarovar lake around 19.30 hrs and taken a
bath. Collected holy water and some stones. On the way we had our lunch in one
of the road side Rest house at Old Tompha. Spend time from 00.00 hours to
5.30 hrs morning waiting on the banks of Manasarovar lake to watch the
wonder-full sight of Rishis and Devars taking bath and worshiping Mt. Kailash.
It was too cold to sit on the banks of the lake Manasarovar. Around 03.49 hours
my camera clicked mysterious photos of stars, which I had uploaded in this post.
( The first sight of Mt Kailash from the bank of Manasarovar lake )
These mystery Photos were taken around 3.49 Hours from the banks of Manasarovar Lake - There was nothing before and after the photos taken . )
17-06-2012. SUNDAY
Morning Homam and Pooja was conducted through the Kumbakonam group
who brought the Sivachariyar. All participated. Started from Manasarovar and
reached the hotel at Dharchan. After a brief rest went to Astapath. The
land cruiser ( Charged us 75 Yuvans per head and 4 persons were
accommodated ) dropped us before 2.5 KM. Trekked through ice river and
went to Astapath. We had the darshan of Mt Kailash - south face very close.
Some of us collected the Holy Mt. Kailash water which flowed from the
melted ice ).
( The South face of Mt Kailash -Photo was taken during Astapath )
( The South face of Mt Kailash -Photo was taken during Astapath ) (Self and Mr Kumar. Both used to travel together - South face of Mt Kailash, during Astapath)
( The South face of Mt Kailash -Photo was taken during Astapath )
18-06-2012. MONDAY. ( First day of our PARIKRAMA )
Started from the Darshan Hotel and reached to Yamadwar. It is
believed that after one who came through the Yamadwar will not be having
the fear of Yama. The trek distance was 12 KM. It took us 4 hours to complete.
We ( Self and Mr Kumar ) have not hired the Horse, but only porter for which we
had paid 600 yuvans. The trek was pleasant and we had the darshan of south
west and West side of Mt Kailash. Our sherpa was helpful and he always
makes us to reach the next destination before others arrives. Stayed in hotel
Parmarth Ashram maintained by Richa Tours at DIRAPUK. The altitude was 4860
meters above sea level. We had the darshan of North face of Mt Kailash from
the Hotel.
( Yamadwar- It is believed that those who go through this Yamadwar after Circumambulate 3 times will not have the fear of Yama. )( Yamadwar )( The west face of Mt Kailash after Yamadwar )
The west face of Mt Kailash after Yamadwar ( The west face of Mt Kailash after Yamadwar )
The North face of Mt Kailash - Photo was taken in the evening hours
19-06-2012. TUESDAY ( Second day of PARIKRAMA)
Started our second day of our Parikrama. The trek was 22 KM. After
crossing the frozen river hired a horse to cross the DOLMA PASS,
which is again 850 meters above DIRAPUK and also the Oxygen level was very very
low. Since we do not want to strain our heart, we hired a horse up to
Dolma pass ( 4 KM ) and the horse man charged us 600 Yuvans. It is to be noted
that the horse man and the horse did not stopped in the middle. After reaching
the top everybody was asked to descend quickly to avoid breathing problem
due to less oxygen. On the way, we had the darshan of Gaurikund and collected
water from Gaurikund for which I had paid 100 Yuvans for one litre. ( Rs
1000 in Indian currency ). The rest of the stretch was not so difficult.
The sky was very clear, with some cloud here and there. Hills with rocks and
muds no tree or grass. We have noticed that the Chinese govt had
installed some mobile repeater stations for the communications with solar
energy. Reached the Camp at Zithulpak and took us approximately 8 Hours
and accommodated in a tent.
( The North face of Mt Kailash - The photo was taken during early hours - பொ ன்னார் மேனீ யனே )
(Gauri Kund- The green colour water frozen to ice- It is believed that Sri Parvathi takes bath every day, that's why the colour of the water is in green colour- when we take it will be colour less )
( Materials are being transported to next camp through yak) ( The Sherpa who escorted us throughout the parikrama )
20-06-2012. WEDNESDAY. ( Third day of PARIKRAMA)
Started our third day of our Parikrama. The distance was about 8
KM and took us approximately 2 hours to reach the Zircon hill point from where
we boarded the bus and reached Darshan. The journey was little risky and
walked through steep valley and a river was flowing below us. In
the valley every body was asked to walk even though they hired a horse. We
could see the hills with different colours of rocks.
After lunch at Darchan hotel, proceeded to Pariyang around
14.00 hours. Accommodated in a hotel at Pariyang. En-route we could see
small villages and sand hills.
( Yathris are travelling on horse )
( View of desert / sand hills )
21-06-2012. THURSDAY
To complete our schedule we have to travel at least 500 KM. to
reach Neyalam. After breakfast started from Pariyang and our next halt
was at Nyalam. Half of the distance the road was very bad and we have been
diverted ( Town Shann young Lu ) in the mud road which took us more than
2 hours to cross. We had our lunch under hot sun in an open space. The total
journey time was around 9 hours and reached Nyalam. Accommodated in the
Nyalam hotel 2nd floor.
22-06-2012. FRIDAY
Started from Nyalam to Kathmandu.
Reached Lasa Port where
we have completed the formalities and crossed the friendship bridge and entered
in to Nepal.
It was observed that landslip occurred in three places between Neyalam and Lhasa
port which were cleared by the Chinese Govt ( Due to rain in the previous night
). After crossing the friendship bridge, we had our lunch at Kodari, Kailash
Manasarovar Guest House ( With the usual menu of Chapati, dal, fried bitter
guard and vegetables ). After 2 hours delay ( due to land slip, – there was a
rain in the previous night ) we proceeded to Kathmandu by
bus and reached around 17.30 Hrs.
23-06-2012. SATURDAY
Since we had enough time to leave for airport around 11.00
hrs, thought of visiting Kukke Eswari Temple,
one of the Sakthi Peedam. Four of us went to the temple (Hired a Taxi - Rs 500
Indian currency ) and had a nice darshan. After breakfast left the hotel for
airport to Chennai. Boarded the flight to New Delhi after completing the
formalities of immigration & check out etc. At new
Delhi airport
transferred the luggage to Jet airways counter from international and
boarded flight to Chennai at domestic terminal. Reached safely to Chennai
around 20.45 Hrs and home at 23.30 Hrs.
We are really very happy that the Lord Shiva showered his
blessings on us for making this yathra a successful and memorable one through
clear sky and good weather.
I extend my sincere thanks to My Chairman & Achi, Samrat
Holidays, Mr Srinivasan, Mr Kumar and the co- yathris for
helping me complete this life time ambition of doing this Mt Kailash
& Mansarovar Yatra.
GENERAL INFORMATION AND TIPS
“If you have strong desire with Lord Shiva’s blessings you can do
this Kailash and Manasarovar Yatra a pleasant one.”
( Temple entrance - Rishabam is partially visible )
