July 31, 2016 (Day 9) – Budhi to Gunji (17-18 kms)
I started at 5.30 am from Budhi and reached Chialekh at 8 am after a very stiff climb in rain. In Chialekh we had breakfast and our passports were checked there. Chialekh was all engulfed in fog and we missed seeing Mount Annapurna and beautiful flowers around.
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| Chialekh |
From Chialekh we had to pass through muddy way all the way to the sinking village of Garbiyang, which had quaint houses having carved doors and newel posts. En-route you can see the confluence of Kali and Tinker rivers with Tinker river hurling into Nepal. We waited for Army load carrier which was supposed to ferry us to Gunji but we had to wait 2 and half hours for one yatri. The route to Adi Kailash yatra is common until Gunji. The pilgrims for Adi Kailash take turn toward Jollingkong.
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| Lunch at Sitti |
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| Garbiyang |
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| Does anyone know which plant this is from which Chutney is made |
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| Gunji |
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| Gunji |
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| Bhajans at Gunji |
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| Food being prepared at Gunji |
Today was a halt day at Gunji. ITBP medical team conducted medical tests for all yatris and those unable to clear would not be allowed to carry on with the yatra. Got up early in the morning, had bath and did Yoga. It’s a foggy day. Hope weather clears tomorrow so that we are able to see Om Parvat at Navidhang. Personally, I was not worried about medical tests and was allaying the anxiety of others by cheering them up. One female yatri from our batch could not proceed further as her Blood Pressure was in excess of 200 mmhg systolic. ITBP staff is extremely helpful. Tomorrow we shall leave from Gunji to Navidhang. Few ITBP personnel accompanied us until Lipulekh pass.
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| Liaison Officer getting medical tests done |
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| Planting trees at Gunji |
Tips:
- You can get pony at Gunji if you haven’t taken one already. Four people in our batch opted for Pony at Gunji
- Don’t be anxious about medical tests. Do some meditation or Yoga in the morning.
- Continue with your antihypertensive medication if already on one.
- Your health is paramount. You can always come back for Yatra.
Aug 2, 2016 (Day 11) Gunji To Navidhang (19-20 kms)
I started from Gunji at 5.45 am amidst rains and reached Kalapani by 8 am. En-route I saw Vyas Gufa. Kalapani is a mesmerizing place and is said to be the origin of river, Kali. I had breakfast of sumptuous Aloo Parathas and sang bhajans.
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| Breakfast at Kalapani |
At Kalapani you have to get your passport checked and stamped and must get it done on your way back as well. After that is a gradual uphill climb until Navidhang.
I reached Navidhang at 12.30 pm. It’s from the camp at Navidhang, yatris can view Om Parvat, which has pattern of snow, which resembles a naturally formed Om. Since it was a cloudy day, I could not see Om Parvat. Navidhang was extremely cold and windy. I woke up at night hoping that clouds might have cleared and I would get darshan of Om Parvat, but I was not fortunate. Tomorrow we cross over from Navidhang to Tibet via Lipulekh pass at night. Slept early for a tough day ahead.
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| Way to Kalapani |
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| from Gunji to Navidhang |
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Kalapani
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| Navidhang |
Tips:
- Don’t forget to get your passport stamped at Kalapani on your journey to and fro.
- Since Navidhang is extremely cold and windy, don’t forget to cover your head and wear adequate woolens.
- Keep your passport and currency, etc in your money belt.
- Since tomorrow is a long day and you will get food really late in the day, do keep some biscuits or dry fruit with you.
IMPORTANT ADVICE: We should be blessed that we are chosen for this yatra and it is our responsibility to not litter and keep Devbhoomi clean. Carry your plastic wraps that you use with you and dispose them later. Try to clean the trail. Tell your porter not to litter. Gutka and chips packets lie everywhere. Particularly distressing was to see shores of Manasarovar littered with used underwear packets, ghee packets, used sanitary napkins etc. It was distressing and abominable. A place, which is so pious to us must be respected by all of us and deserves a conscious effort by all yatris to lead a cleaning drive as and when possible. Don’t forget to do your bit, even if others are not doing it.
To be continued..
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lucky gupta
Wow!!
Savita Patel
Thank you Dr. Varunaji for your very precise information. It feels great reading and watching all beautiful pictures. Hoping to read more soon!!!
Rishabh Sharma
I just did the trek again with this reading. One year is about to complete but it still feels the same. Thank you for this awesome writing. Nowhere else on internet you will find such precise writing on kailash. 🙂 Hoping to do more treks with you!!!