A Journey To The Lama's Land, Part - 7

A Journey To The Lama's Land,  Part - 7

We finished our lunch with chaomin from a small food shop beside the road. Soon we entered in to the almost dusk.  Suddenly Nazir raised his finger and pointed to the corner of the hill in front.  Pangong Lake can be seen by turning that bend. There is an unsavory pleasure in the first sight, but we did not pay attention to this little piece of sight from inside a moving car. 

We reached the Shore of Pangong Lake within next fifteen minutes, parked the car in one place and came down with tremendous joy. Amidst the wavy beauty of the mesmerizing mountain ranges, an infinite blue water lake, the fragile reflections of the mountains in the water. The accumulated white coloured clouds, somewhere in a flock or somewhere alone, are floating from one side to another, just like a heavy hearted separated woman. Their reflections were in the blue water. It seems that it is not true, it is just like an impossibly colorful  dream, just now if I will wake up from this deep dreamy sleep, I may deprived of from a great  pleasantness.

Here is a tremendous chilled atmosphere; It is also very difficult to stand in the face of strong winds. I covered my ears, head and neck with a  cap, and my hands were wrapped in gloves, but still  cold wind piercing my whole body.

After taking pictures, we started again by car. We will stay today at Pangong inside a tent at the bank of the Pangong Lake. Every one of our team member were really concern regarding our today’s staying arrangements. Particularly we were thinking about a terrific night which is waiting for all of us tonight in a tent here in this terrible chilled atmosphere.  

Almost remembering the name of god, we proceeded in search of our overnight accommodation. There were many white tents lined up just above the shores of the lake. After checking our papers, the owner took us in our booked tents. The door of the tent was opened by pulling the zipper of the tent. There was no latch or latch plague. Probably this is known as a complete open fence system. Just downstairs from our tent there was a big concrete room. It was a complete modern dining room with kitchen. Our tent was very tidy and decorated like a modern star hotel room. Bed room, living room, bathroom, and even with a small changing room. English style commode in the bathroom and also there was shampoo, soap and toothpaste. The wardrobe has extra quilt and blankets for extra need. It is learned that the tent authority will also provide hot water bags which can be taken inside the blanket at the time of sleeping. We were overwhelmed by the arrangements. 

After a short rest, there was a call from the dining hall for tea and snacks. At that unforgettable moment we were busy at the bank of the lake to capture the indescribable color of the setting sun with our cameras. The color of the white peaks opposite to the lake, and the color of the water of the lake are changing now frequently. Sometimes the colors of the peaks are changing to red, sometimes orange and sometimes golden too. With utmost wonder I bowed to the god with folded hand while witnessing these stunning changes of the nature. 

The silent night was approaching gradually with her lotus petal feet, completely absorbing the last drop of light from entire region and spreading her beautiful dark hair over the atmosphere. The intense electric lights created by the generator around and inside the tent, generated a strangely enchanted atmosphere. In that bitter cold, standing on the side of the lake, wrapping my whole body in  warm cloth and looking at the starry sky and its trembling reflections in the water of the lake, myself was trying to understand whether I am in heaven now or not. 

The call for dinner came at nine o'clock at night. We have to see the sunrise very early in the next morning. I closed the tent zip and lay down on the warm bed exhausted. Outside, the strong winds of Pangong Lake were engrossed in conversation then.

I woke up very early in the morning. The light did not shine well yet. I finished the bathroom episode and came out of the tent. An Infinitely pure nature was awaiting for me at outside. At least in this moment,  it doesn't seem like there is ever going to be a dirty act like violence, murder, rape in this world. I pray that at least this holy sinless moment will come true. The shadow of the blue sky is reflecting in the water of the lake. As if the entire area is now filled with illusory heavenly light.

The boy who has been taking care of us since yesterday called us at dining hall. Our tea is ready. I waited with eager interest looking at the outside of the glass window to see the sun rise on the hillside on the opposite side of the lake with my first cup of morning tea and biscuits in hand. 

Everyone in the group already came and gathered in the dining room. At outside, one will have to take off his gloves to take photo. That is very difficult. I saw many people taking pictures from this dining room. I went out with my gloves in my pocket to take the pictures of the beautiful sunrise. 

Nazir waved his hand to me from a distance. After coming closer he requested me to start our journey very early today. There are long roads to go. By that time the lord Sun had appeared with his red colored glory in the eastern horizon. 

The color of the mountains reflected in the water of the lake has created a celestial environment. I didn't want to move away from the lake, but despite reluctance I stepped towards the dining room. 

Others also had arrived at dining hall already. Buffet breakfast. Milk-cornflakes, Poha, Potato paratha, bread-omelette are all ready. We ate breakfast and left at half past eight. That boy was keeping our luggage at car. The name of this skinny, black, sad face boy was Arvind. I was surprised when he told that his home is at Mirik, near Darjeeling in West Bengal.  What a surprise! Darjeeling and Pangong in ladakh is in far off a distance! He is a very young boy, just for the sake of his families’ livelihood he is working here, leaving behind his mother, father, brothers and sisters. I felt bad. I caressed her with some money. What can I do more than that?

To be continued.............................................................................................