Kailash Manasarovar darshan (yatra) - 32

Kailash Manasarovar Yatra via Nepal - 3

Gowri Shankar peaks

They were lucky that it was a full moon day and they enjoyed the immense beauty of Manasarovar on that day. We were not that much lucky we were on the banks of Manasarovar on the new moon day. Almost all the private tour operators of India draw their itinerary in such a way that their group is on the banks of the Holy Manasarovar on full moon day. On the twelfth day of their journey they did pooja on the banks of Manasarovar and left early and left for Nepal and did their journey without break and reached Katmandu on the same day thus saving one day.


They utilized the one day gained so in sight seeing, my friend went for flight sight seeing in a small plane and viewed all the peaks in Himalayas from air. He told that he got more than he wanted, not only he had the darshan of the Lord and Mother but he could also do the parikrama and thanked the Shivsakthi for their abundant compassion. Those who earnestly seek His blessings He never disappoints them.

The cost for the yatra through Nepal is as follows:

For Kathmandu to Kathmandu Rs 59000/- which includes hotel charges for stay at Katmandu, sight seeing charges, jeep charges, food and lodging on the Chinese side and one Can of Manasarovar Water. The charges for Chennai to Katmandu, pony, air sight seeing charges which was Rs 3500/- for half day are extra. My friend told that the total cost was Rs 75000/-.

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These are some useful information which will be handy. As the weather pattern and the places on the Chinese side remain the same the items needed are almost same. The main difference being trekking on the Indian side and availability of food on the Chinese side.

While driving to Kailash in the yatra through Nepal, it will be warm inside the vehicle but very cold outside. Mornings and evenings will be generally cold and warm clothing will be required. Temperature varies from -5 C to 25 C. Cold wind blows at the speed of 50 to 60 Km per hour at some places.

Peaks of Himalayas

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Clothing, Equipment and Accessories for Kailash yatra

A. Footwear

1. Good well worn-in walking shoes – 1. 2. Warm comfortable trekking boots – 2

B. Clothing

3. Wool shirts – 3 4. Cotton shirts – 4
5. Regular underwear – 3. 6. Thermal underwear – 1
7. Skirts/coulettes/trousers for women – 2 . 8. Trousers/shorts for men – 2
9. Wind and rain gear with hood – 1 . 10. Wool hat/mittens/gloves – 1
11. Other hats – 1 12. Wool and cotton socks – 5
13. Sweaters – 3 14.Lined zip jacket/down jacket with hood – 1
15. Track suit – 1. 16. Sleeping clothes – 2

C. Accessories

17. Personal first-aid. 18. Toilet kit – 1
19. Flash light/torch with extra batteries – 1 20. Sun glasses – 1
21. Repair kit (needle, thread tape etc) – 1 22. Water bottle – 1
23. Swim suit (for use before and after Tibet trip) 24. Note book, pens, pencils.
25. Plastic bags for reading material, film, cameras etc. – 1 26. Pocket knife – 1
27. Dust mask, silk scarves for use against dust – 1 28. Camera and film.
29. Binocular. 30. Sunblock cream and lip salve – 1
31. Cushion for jeep journey

D. Puja samagri

32. Camphor 33. Agarbatti (insence sticks)
34. Samidha (for Hawan) 35. Bel patra
36. Kumkum 37. Rice
38. Wicks dipped in ghee 39. Moli (red threat)
40. Bell 41. Small Diya
42. Prayer book etc.

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CODE OF CONDUCT FOR KAILASH YATRIS

It has to be borne in mind, body and soul that we are going on a holy pilgrimage under very difficult climatic conditions, hence maintenance of discipline is very essential to make this Yatra a grand success. Every Yatri should maintain their decorum and respect the essence of this yatra. Every yatri must take everyl endeavor to adjust with the prevalent conditions, which although not easy, is very much accessible a sour physique has natural capacity to acclimatize with nature.

1. Every Yatri will belong to pre-determined group. If they want to change their group, a suggestion may be made to the respective group leader politely and if it is feasible then the group leader will swap your place with someone else. However, the leader’s decision is final and you will have to accept it.

2. Every Yatri will receive instructions from their respective group leader, which has to be adhered to. They will listen to your suggestions and grievances, but reserve their own judgment. NO YATRI WILL CAUSE HARASSMENT TO THE TOUR LEADER AND MEMBERS.

3. Every Yatri should travel in-group of four or more to maintain equilibrium of mind, body and soul.

4. Every Yatri should have his/her own medical kit containing medicines in their backpack. Besides these medicines, if any Yatri is undergoing treatment for a specific ailment, he/she should carry ample amount of those medication as recommended by his/her personal physician. On reaching Nyalamu. It is very natural to have headaches, which is caused due to lack of oxygen in the air. However, if any Yatri gets feeling of nausea, diarrhea or any other ailment, they must not keep it to themselves but consult the tour leader. If you refrain from medication, immediately you may have to be sent back.

5. Considering the choice of the yatris, each day, group leader and cook will fix the food menu.

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Beautiful view of Himalayas from air

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DO’S & DON’T

• Please maintain discipline and punctuality at all times and observe instructions from the tour leaders. We must all work together to make this unique pilgrimage a success.
• Please do not smoke or light candle inside the tent.
• Giving you the number of tent, we will make the allocation of the sleeping tents. You will use the same tent throughout the tour. Please do not take shoes inside the tent. Keep your tent as clean as possible.
• Please keep the given sleeping bag and liner in your own duffel bag.
• Please leave your luggage outside the tent at least half an hour before you are due to depart.
• Keep your passport and money safely at all times.
• Embarkation and disembarkation cards will be provided to you in advance. Please complete them before hand and ask your group leader if you have any difficulties completing them.

• Please respect the environment, leave the campsite clean and do not disturb the flora and fauna.
• Respect local traditions, culture and etiquette.
• Respect privacy and ask permission before taking photographs.
• Do not drink water straight from the tap, make sure it is either boiled or treated with purifying tablets first.
• If you feel ill, you must decrease intake of solid and oily food and increase intake of liquids preferably black tea or jasmine tea.

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Recommended Medicines
MOUNTAIN SICKNESS :

Diamox 250 mg - ½ tab twice a day for prevention before starting the high altitude trip. 1 tab twice a day, once mild symptoms are noticed – 20 Tab.

ANTIBIOTICS :

Triethoprim/Sulfamethoxazole – Bactrim Dsor Septra DS- Double Strength (160mg/800mg) or Amoxycilline 500 mg capsule – 20 Caps.

DIARRHEA :

1. Loperamide Hydrochloride - 10 Tab.
2. Metronidazole or Tinidazole tablets
3. Electrolyte solution for possible dehydration.

ACHES (HEAD, BODY, MUSCLES) :

1. Paracetamol tablets – 20 Tab

If above is not effective,

2. Ibuprofen tablets or any pain killers whichever suits you.


VOMITING :

Tab. Domperidon (Don - 1 ) – 10 Tab.

COMMON COLD :

1. Tab. Terfenadine 60m (Terf / Zenad) - 2 times a day – 15 Tab.

Handy Plast
Cotton
Crepes

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INFORMATION ON MOUNTAIN SICKNESS

TIBET IS A UNIQUE AND INCOMPARABLE TRAVEL ADVENTURE. But its remoteness, undeveloped infrastructure, and high altitude conditions require a traveler to make adequate preparations. Precautions related to the high atmospheric conditions will be discussed here.

Tibet is the highest land in the world. The average elevation of the Great Tibetan Plateau is 15, 000 ft. Tours that go to Lhasa or Kailash Manasarovar will cross passes over 16,500 ft and /or 17,000 ft.

Though it is common for most visitors in their first days of arrival in Tibet to experience some of the lighter symptoms of altitude sickness such as headache, occasional light nausea and sleeplessness these symptoms usually go away as the body acclimates.

Some people are hit harder by altitude sickness. It has nothing to do age or physical fitness. Marathon runners have been victims because they thought they could go running the drain, perhaps because they know better how to pace themselves. Scientist do not really know why some people are more affected by altitude than others.

Other common symptoms can include the following dizziness, fatigue, shortness of breath, loss of appetite, vomiting, malaise, drowsiness and frequent yawning.

So on one hand there is not much you can do ahead to know how well your body will handle the altitude. On the other hand there are preparations and practices you can do that definitely will help you to adjust.

While one's state of physical condition does not directly affect the body's reaction to altitude, indirectly it can make a big difference in how easily one adjusts. Wise preparatory exercise for this tour, therefore, would include lots of walking and stairs climbing. Jogging for those so inclined, is also good physical conditioning for such a trip.

The first day in Tibet should be taken easy. This is perhaps the most important piece of advice. Travelers, whose lifetime dream has always been to visit Tibet, are often overcome with excitement their first day in Tibet. One needs to consciously take it easy that first day. Even if you are feeling just fine for hours after arrival, the best investment you can make for the whole rest of your stay is to not run around that first day. This is the day to write post cards and read. Short walks are OK, if you are feeling fine. But light activity only. If you wake up the next day without a headache, you are feeling better than most. If given a chance, your body will acclimate naturally second by second, hour by hour. By the time you leave Tibet, you will be amazed what you are able to do that you could not do the first days.

Relax, if you wake up at night feeling shortness of breath. That is normal. So is sleeplessness, If you find it hard to go back to sleep, sit up for a while, with your back straight to make it easier for extending lungs capacity and concentrate on your breathing and posture. Breath deeply. Remember, the reason why your body is going through all these changes is because there is less oxygen at high altitude. Helping your body take in more oxygen is the name of the game. For this reason, light activity rather than total horizontal rest is the optimal practice because with activity comes increased respiration. That is why, even though you may suffer from some sleeplessness, you should avoid all sleeping pills and sedatives and any other medication that reduces respiration.

For obvious reasons, those who smoke should avoid smoking or at least reduce their smoking as much as possible, especially the first day. Same applies for alcoholic consumers, as alcohol adversely affects bodily acclimatization.

Consuming heavy meals should be avoided, since extra oxygen is diverted for digestion. Light carbohydrate meals are best. Snacking is good. Sweets are fine, but chocolate should be avoided towards evening because of its caffeine content, thus aggravating sleeplessness.

On both the routes the weather is same, journey in jeeps also is tough. Dust covers are needed. Those who want just to touch that holy land and return for them this route is a boon and the time taken is also less though the cost is comparable. The author is planning to undertake the yatra through this route if the Lord wishes so. Thank you all for patiently reading these posts which describes the glory of Kailash Manasarovar the Heaven on Earth and the abode of Shivasakthi.

With this post this series of yatra in both words and photos conclude but the yatra will continue with the Grace of Shivasakthi with new inputs which adiyen receive reagarding the yatra.

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