A Journey to the Lama's Lands, Part - 2

A Journey to the Lama's Lands,  Part - 2

The next day our journey started at exactly five in the morning, still deep darkness. Leaving behind the sleeping city of Kelong, we headed towards Leh. Today is a journey of about 10 hours. Gispa, just 25 km from Kelong, is a beautifully arranged place. After that Dharacha, after Dharacha Suraj Tal. A very small water body or pond, my mind is not satisfied with its look. Shortly after Suraj Tal, Baralacha La Pass started. 

The word la means pass. The pass is usually named after a village in the vicinity of a growing village, such as Khardung La, Tanjang La. So is Baralacha La. After crossing the Rotang Pass, the first rugged and innumerable narrow turns of this Baralacha la pass are quite difficult. But We are fearless. Everyone is ready with their cameras. After crossing Baralacha la pass,we arrived at  a tiny neighbourhood, Sarchu. Everyone is holding their hips in the shaking of the road, so there is a break for tea.

Many people travel from Manali early in the morning and spend the night at Sarchu. Many of them have difficulty breathing. If it suddenly rises to such a height, it can happen, so it is better to proceed as far as the body can take. After 40 km from Sarchu, the pass again. Nakila. By then we had become accustomed to the impact of the pass. In Bengali there is a proverb,”Sorirer nam mohasay, ja soyabe tai soy”, which means , Our body is just like a gentleman, it can tolerate everything whatever you want.  The great man who composed this true sentence has to admit the extent of his suffering and then come to this ultimate truth. I bow down to their wisdom with utmost respect. 

After Nakila, another pass again. Lachug Lang La. We crossed this long road too. After that Pang, a small neighbourhood. Pang at an altitude of 15280 feet. A strong wind was blowing here with intense cool breeze and  snow. Here we stop in a small shop for our today’s lunch. An elderly Tibetan and his elderly wife run the shop together. These two, who are always busy, made Thukpa  and Momo for us with utmost care. I have seen in all the food shops, big and small, along the hilly roads of this country, thick mattress beds are arranged with blankets and pillows. All are very neat and clean. These are the very best arrangements for the tired travelers after this really hectic journey. 

After Pang, the condition of the road is good.  Nazir vai, our driver, narrate the condition of road in his own words, “Makhmal Jaisi”. This road is maintained by B.R.O or BORDER ROAD ORGANIZATION.  After crossing Pang, the pass again. It is said to be the second highest motorable road in the world. Tang Lang La. Its height is 18480 feet. Although I have a little doubt with this, I will explain that in due course. 

Since the road is smooth, this time I reached the city of Leh, which is the most desirable, but full of hardships, a bustling city, a city overflowing with life. An ancient city at an altitude of about 12,000 feet which demanding all of our respect every time. One side of the city is Surrounded by ‘Stok Kangri’, a magnificent snow-capped mountain. Like a diamond in all its peaks. ‘What a wonderful decoration, what a wonderful outfit you have’. O’ God of India, you alone is your likeness.

There is a strange intoxication in the evening bright city of Leh. What a strange attraction. With a very clear view from our hotel, there is a peak in front of us with an immense abundance of unparalleled joy. It is The Stok Kangri. At this time it has completely emerged in the sunset golden light and looks so beautiful that I am unable to explain. I quickly took a bath after drinking a cup of tea and got busy to get rid of the fatigue of the whole day. The dinner also ended quite neatly.

I woke up very early in the morning to the bird's cuckoo. I came out enjoying the luke heat of the smoked tea glass wrapping a blanket around my body and my mind was filled with indescribable love. The Himalayas exist here with a sweet smile as the everlasting joy of the morning light. O’ the lord of my mind, O the king of my heart, let my soul may bow down at your feet again and again.

Today is our day to visit Leh. Adapting to the environment is very important here. We are the people from plain land; the balance of the normal tolerance of the body for such heights can be a bit depleted. So today we will move around the city of Leh. We got ready early and ate breakfast and left. The bustle of Leh in the morning is eye-catching, there is no difference with other Indian cities. The local peoples  are bargaining with the shopkeeper with the bag in hand, a bus rushing to school, all the same. Only All that is happening at the sudden bend in the uneven mountain path. 

We are moving forward to take a closer look at the city of Leh. Leaving the airport on the left side of the highway, we always see the colorful Stok Kangri. We will take Leh-Srinagar road. On the way, the first destination is Shri Guru Pathar Sahib, which is associated with the memory of Sikh Guru Nanak ji. The Indian Army has been guarding this holy shrine with utmost devotion. It is said that Sikh Guru Nanakji, after a tour of the eastern Indian states of Sikkim, left for Kashmir on his way to Leh and arrived here one day. At that time a very evil monster lived in this area. The people of the surrounding villages told Guruji in detail about their grief at the sight of this poor monk and the oppression of the demons. Guruji simply asked them to pray to God. On hearing this, the demon thought that this man might have come to destroy him. One day when Guruji was meditating, the evil demon picked up a huge stone and threw it at Guruji. Guruji's meditation did not break at all, but that huge stone turned into a large wax ball in an instant. Later, this demon took refuge in Guru Nanak and spent his time in the service of God by devoting himself to the welfare of the people. This pilgrimage place is with that piece of sacred stone. We wrapped a piece of cloth around our heads and finished the visit and Parikrama. The army brothers took us to their canteen and offered hot tea with snacks free of cost.

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