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A Walk Through Paradise
The book is full of travel details and pictures of trail through Lake Mansarovar , Mt. Kailash and Rakshas Lake
By A CORRESPONDENT
For every devout Hindu, travel to Lake Manasarovar and Mount Kailash is a moment to cherish for a lifetime. But not many of them actually can make that travel. For those who have not been able to make that pilgrimage, the book titled “Divine Destination: A Pilgrimage to the Rakshas Taal, Mt. Kailash and Lake Mansarovar ” provides a fantastic experience replete with travel details and pictorial guide.
Written by a travel trade entrepreneur, the book is one-of-its-kind that not only gives on-the-spot information but also provides detailed account on the needs and necessities for making the trip to Tibet (Autonomous Region of China), particularly in such a high altitude.
Not only Hindus, the destinations in Tibet are equally, if not more, enthralling to adventure-seekers and tourists.
In fact, the author Lama wrote the book after he successfully carried out an expedition of around 400 Hindu devotees – mostly from India – who traveled to the banks of Rakshas Taal ( Lake ) to listen to the Rama Katha recital by spiritual leader Pujya Shri Morari Bapuji. “Through this book, I have tried to share my thoughts, feelings and compassion that I experienced in the course of organizing this great pilgrimage,” Lama said.
A trip to western Tibet, which is home to such divine and holy places as Mt. Kailash, Lake Manasarovar and Rakshas Taal (also known as Rawan Lake) – has been regarded both as a pilgrimage and adventure journey. “There are three routes to reach these holy places. Simikot-Hilsa is one of the popular, ancient and challenging routes to reach the Holy places of Tibet via Shera check point of China and Taklakot – which is also known as Puruang in Tibetan. Simikot is the administration headquarters of Humla – a northwestern district of Nepal. The breathtaking trans-Himalayan flight from Kathmandu to the Forbidden City of Lhasa, followed by a drive to western Tibet is another route. The overland journey to the Holy Mt. Kailas, Holy Lake Manasarovar and Rakshas Taal through Kathmandu-Zhangmu (khasa)-Nyalam is one of the comfortable routes for the travelers,” the book describes.
The three places described in the book have very close and divine relations with various Hindu mythologies. The two lakes are on the lap of the mighty Mount Kailash . “Although there is not much difference in the geographical characteristics and the location between the two lakes as both of them are situated nearly at the same altitude of 17,500 feet above the sea-level, there are striking differences in their shape, size, nature and the style in between these two lakes that attract visitors in different ways.”
“Rakshas Taal is a nature’s splendor at its best. Half of the lake is always seen frozen and the other half of the same remains melted and shining. There is a belief that when the water of Rakshas Taal, which remains frozen in the winter, starts to melt in spring, it makes glittering noise that resembles the roaring of a tiger. Likewise, strong winds continuously lash across the lake creating big waves and all this results in the constant roar-like noise. It is probably because of these characteristics that people call it Demon Lake ,” the book describes.
Apart from the description of travel trails and colorful pictures, the book also devotes attention to the actual logistical detail of organizing the first-ever large congregation of devotees on the banks of Rakshas Taal. “The building of dozens of collapsible cottages – equipped with hot and cold water, attached bath etc – and tents in such a rough terrain was made possible due to the combined effort of all,” said Lama.
He also describes some points on the religious discourse of Pujya Bapuji; the travel itinerary; precautionary measures to avoid altitude sickness and so on in the book.
Title: Divine Destination
Written by: Hari Man Lama
Pages: 104
Price: Rs 350.00
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