kailash Manas Sarovar yatra a dream come true: September 2015

OM NAMAH SHIVAI

August 18th 2015- Finally the day had arrived after much interventions. Couldn't believe our trip was on. there were mixed feelings of excitement, devotion, anxiety and
apprehension. We Nizampet girls (thats what our batch of six women were called) left for the Hyderabad airport. We met Guruji Srinivas Swamiji and the rest of our group at airport. we boarded the flight and reached Delhi airport in about two hours. Guruji Srinivas Swamiji's care n love for each and every group member was evident from day one. Guruji had arranged a light refreshment at the airport lounge. Here we had a chit chat with other group members and came to know about each other. Did some window shopping and flew to kathmandu. I had a lot of apprehensions about Kathmandu. The pictures I saw of the aftermath of earthquake in Kathmandu were still fresh in my mind. But I felt happy to see Kathmandu back on its feet. We reached our hotel Shangri-La. It was evening and drizzling so didnot venture out.
August 19th - Got up early and went around the hotel liked the ambience. We went to Pashupathinath temple. We offered our prayers and did Rudrabhishekam under the guidance of our Guruji. We took blessings from the temple priests for our safe yatra. In the afternoon we flew to nepalgunj in two small flights. We offered prayers at baageswari mata temple in the evening.
August 20th- Flew to similkot in a 9 seater flight. I was excited to be sitting just behind the pilots. We were floored by the hue of colours of the small hill station similkot. The people were so friendly n helpful. Took some rest n went for a small trek in a light drizzle . Saw apple laden trees for the first time in my life.
August 21st- We took a chopper from Simikot to Hilsa. Crossed border into china finished security checks and drove to Taklakot. Did some shopping for warm clothing here.

August 22nd - This was the day we all waited for. After about one and half hour drive we saw a beautiful colourful lake The Rakshas Tal. We got down from our bus and behold we got the first glimpse of Mount Kailash. I couldn't believe I was seeing my Shivaih's Abode The Kailash Parvath. Tears started rolling without me realising. It was my dream come true. I sat there dumbstuck. We drove for another fifteen minutes and we got the first glimpse of Manas sarovar. There it was with its serene grandeur. We went into our warm and cozy rooms it was cold and windy outside. Soon our Guruji's staff served us hot piping soup. Guruji came to each and everyone enquiring about our health and whether we were comfortable or not. The pain he took to see that every single group member was in good health and comfortable was remarkable. After some time we ventured out and sat on the banks of Manas sarovar. Here I realised I should be thankful to God who gave me this opportunity to see and be with him Lord Shiva. We meditated for some time on the banks. Gurji advised us to go into our rooms as it was getting very cold and breezy. We had a nice hot dinner and went to sleep.

August 23rd- Took a dip in the holy waters of Manas sarovar. We performed satyanarayana vratam and homam in the guidance of Guruji and gururaj. It was a day of devotion and prayers. We were getting accustomed to the cold and the altitude.
August 24th- We left for Darchin the base camp for our Kailash parikrama.
August 25th- We had a hot water shower and started for our day one Parikramaof Kailash Parvath Shiva himself. Guruji guided us all the way showing us and telling us the significance of each and every thing. We were stunned by the Aura of the Abode of lord Shiva. We couldn't believe our eyes we were seeing Shiva the almighty. We were chocked with emotions we hugged each other with tears rolling down our cheeks.
August 26th- The second day of our parikram we came across dolma pass and gaurikund. It was a long and steep climb. We were tired by the time we reached our camp. We hurled into our rooms n took rest.
August 27th- The third day parikrama was easier and we felt lighter as we had finished our parikrama sound and safe. As we reached the end of our parikrama the whole group rejoiced
and the air was filled with BhamBham Bhole and Om Namah Shivaih. All our group including Guruji Tibet Nepali staff had a nice little jiggle. We were void of words to thank our Guruji's staff who took ultimate care of us all . We will be thankful to them the rest of our lives. We drove back to Manasa sarovar . Had a dip and collected water for our friends and family back home. Took rest in our mud houses.
August 28th- Today we performed Sudarshan Homam on the banks of manasa sarovara and drove back to Hilsa.
That night looking through the window of my room staring at the star studded clear sky had mixed feelings of satisfaction and a feel to go back to Manas sarovar and Kailash yatra.
I will always be in debt to our Guruji Srinivas Swamiji for making my dream come true. We will always be thankful to him for the care he took of each one of us. Our food our health our comfort was his priority. We are blessed to be part of his group for Kailash Manas Sarovar yatra. 🙏🙏🙏🙏