Kailash Mansarovar Yatra - Part 20

Helicopter Lift to Dharchula

Gunji had some connection with us I suppose. We halted there for four days and finally we were air-lifted (see Part 1 of this Yatra blog) to Dharchula.

One good thing that happened while waiting for air-lift was that I found that there is a library in ITBP camp at Gunji. I read "Towards the silver crests of the Himalayas" by G.K.Pradhan. A highly philosophical book on the spiritual growth of an ordinary person under the guidance of his Guru who comes looking for him! I completed reading this book in 2 and half days! 

I read a fantastic, hilarious book "Crazy Bombay" by Gangadhar Gadgil! I read this complete book in one  single day.

I found another book which had the cover of a book by Sarvapalli Dr.Radhakrishnan. But the book inside was a story of Irwing Wallace! 

Once we reached Dharchula, we left for Pithoragarh where a good distance had to be covered by walking including climbing up a mountain and climbing down where roads had been washed out due to heavy rains! 

We left Pithoragarh to Jageshwar - which is Dharukavan - one of the 12 JyotirLinga Sthals..

This is an ancient temple under the protection of Archeological Society of India. They have removed all the statues of Gods and Goddesses from the temple and have set up a museum. Temple has the Lingas which cannot be removed!  They allow us to touch and do Pooja to Lingam.

There is a temple for Kubera nearby - place is beautiful, with a cool, green river flowing near the temple. Our yatra is said to be complete with darshan of Lord Jageshwar Maharaj at Dharukavan. Thus we completed the yatra and proceeded to Delhi. God's hand was felt by each one of us on different occasions in multiple ways! The fact that ours was the only batch which could complete this yatra this year till now is again considered as a special boon for us from the God!

Government of China has issued a certificate to us saying that we have successfully completed the Yatra. Government of India also has issued a certificate. KMVN has given a nice photograph with the individual yatri's photo and that of Mount Kailash and Mansarovar Lake along with the route map of the yatra as a momentoe. ITBP has given us a group photo with the individual yatri's photo enlarged in one corner.

Many State Governments give subsidy to the yatris on completion. Maharashtra State is not one where this subsidy is given :-(

I got a good number of friends who are much younger or older than me! 

I got a month where I lived with nature and with thought of God walking through forests, rains, rivers, stones, rocks, mud and snow!

I got to forget the daily worries about personal life, office, children, relatives and friends.

I got to thank God for all the bounties He has bestowed on me by way of caring loving family who were concerned about my safety during Yatra.

I got to thank all my elders, especially, my grandparents and parents for giving me good genes - which allowed me to have good health enabling me to undertake and complete this yatra at the age of 52.

I got to come back safely and join my family with renewed energy to do my duty with thought of Sadasivam in my mind!

Above all, I got to feel the presence and clearly understand the blessings of my Guru in my life and feel grateful for  His grace!

As per tradition, we conducted a Rudrajapa Abhisheka pooja to Lord Shiva on 21st July in the presence of the elders of the family and other relatives and friends. 11 times Rudram was chanted for each round of Rudrajapam one Abhishekam was done - water, oil, milk, curd, ghee, panchagavyam, panchamrith, coconut water, sugarcane juice, basmam-vibhuti and sandalwood paste. This was followed by Ashtotra Pooja, Maha Naivedhyam, Dhoopam and Deeparadhana, Manthra Pushpam,  and Pradakshina Namaskaram!  Thank you God for giving us all so much happiness!

My friends and relatives were happy to participate and have Mahaprasadam! Pooja ended with nice bhajans by my dear friends Murthy, Mangalam and Keerthana.

Peace for All! Joy for All! Om NamaShivayah! Om NamaShivayah! Om NamaShivayah!