Kailash Manasarovar yatra (darshan) - 15

Eighth day 9 Km trek from Kalapani to Nabidang

OM PARVAT A wonder of Nature

As the altitude increases the distance to be trekked also comes down, we left for Nabidang on the eighth day as we were almost at the top of the hills above the tree line revealing the face of mountains, the route was steep and now we trekked along the Lipu Nala the vegetation has completely vanished except for some bushes and some cacti here a herb is found which gives out fine incense like a agarbathi our porter showed us the plant we decided to take something home when we come back. We reached Nabidang at around noon time and took some well deserved rest.

TREKKING TO LIPU LEH PASS

Nabidang is an axis. of three beautiful peaks and it is also a junction of three international borders. As the wind velocity is high we were advised to wear wind sheeters and to cover our head. Lipu Nala originates from the confluence of these three peaks. The first peak is the OM Parvat the naturally formed celestial symbol OM is present in this peak. One can see white (snow) OM on black background, no hypothesis, no assumption, no imagination is needed. OM- the celestial symbol and the guide to meditation connecting men, God and universe, chanted at the beginning and finale of all proceedings. Extolled in the Upanishads as the best and most effective symbol of God. . On snowy days we can clearly see the naturally formed OM.
As we were nearing Nabidang the peak was covered with clouds and we could not see the OM symbol which stands for God. Then clouds played some sport with us we has a partial darshan after about two hours the clouds cleared fully and we had the full darshan of OM and clicked to our heart’s content with our digital cameras and video cameras. The other peak is the Trishul peak it has three sharp projections and is supposed to represent the trinity of Shiva, Parvati and Ganesh. The third peak is the Nabi peak, Nabi means navel as the depression in the peak resembles the navel of human it is named Nabi and this place is called Nabidang.


We are supposed to deposit the film rolls, tapes and the memory stick of digital cameras as a safety measure so that they will not fall into the hands of Chinese. Most of us didn’t had spare memory cards so we didn’t deposit it here but deposited our film rolls and video tapes here. We can also leave extra or unwanted items here and collect them when we come back. A helicopter wreckage was lying just above the camp we just walked up to that place and we also experienced that our head ache disappear. Our L.O also explained to us about the vegetation available at the altitude of 14000 ft. There is also a small temple at Nabidang. Later we returned back took rest and we prepared ourselves for the crossing of Lipulekh pass next day.
Ninth day crossing the Lipulekh pass.

THRISOOL(TRIDENT) PEAK

A pass is an opening in the mountain where we can cross over to the other side . There are two passes in this Kailash yatra route one is on the Indian side and the other is in the Kailash ranges. Both are the tallest points in their respective places and are considered to be the toughest to cross. There had been lot of difficulties because of snow, blizzards heavy winds in these passes. So at most care is taken before crossing these passes. It is always better to cross the passes before morning 9 ‘O clock as otherwise the weather will change inimical and will be difficult to cross the pass. Also it is advised not to stay at the pass and to climb down immediately as the winds are bitter and the atmosphere is rare with little oxygen. In case of Lipulekh pass the added problem is that it is the international boundary. The Kailash yatra is so designed that when one batch crosses into China one batch will be crossing out after completing the yatra into India. ITBP authorities hand over the fresh batch of yatri’s to the Chinese officials and vice versa any delay on either side will cause problem to the other group so there is always good co-ordination and the L.O makes contact with the Chinese authorities and the L.O on the other side and finalizes the timing.

NABI PEAK AND NABI CAMP

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NINTH DAY TREK FROM NABIDANG TO LIPULEH PASS

As we have to cross the Lipulekh pass, the last stretch of our yatra on the Indian side before 9 O’ clock we started from Nabidang at around 4’O clock we could witness the OM shining in that twilight hour also, the trek was really tough as it was a steep climb and the cold was also at its bitterest even in three layers of woolen clothing and hand gloves , two layers of woolen socks and monkey cap we felt the cold but we advanced chanting OM Namashivaya Mantra softly as it was very difficult to walk also. We could see the snow on both the sides of the trek route in the early morning sunlight but luckily there was no snow in the route, later Mudgal told that last time as he went in the first group , ie start of the season they encountered knee deep snow along the route also. We reached Lipulekh pass at around eight ‘O clock..

SNOW COVERED PLACES ENROUTE TO LIPULEH PASS

To our surprise the weather was clear and there was bright sun shine and we faced no problem at the pass rather we stayed for more than one hour as the batch from Taklakot got delayed. Though we carried the smelling camphor in our pouches it was never used. We waited on the highest point on the Indian side chanting the OM Namashivaya Mantra softly because already we were tired very much because of the steep climb and cold. ITBP authorities, doctor and our porters and pony keeper took leave of us and we crossed into China by the Grace of the Lord Shiva the most compassionate, the dancer of Thillai and the Lord of Universe .

On this Ninth day we completed our Indian part of the yatra and entered into China where Kailash Manasarovar is located.