During the monsoon months of 2013 Lama Zopa Rinpoche, together with Serkong Tsenshab Rinpoche and Khadro la, went for a private retreat to Lahaul. This special area is also called Garsha, The Heart Land of the Dakinis. Back then Rinpoche very kindly invited the Tushita team to visit, and we had some amazing days with our gurus and visited many blessed places (see Tushita news 2013)
Following that Lama Zopa Rinpoche repeatedly advised us to go on pilgrimage to Lahaul again. Of course we were more than happy to fulfill Rinpoche’s wish. There was not much hardship involved in fulfilling this advice!!
So early in the year, we scheduled some time off in our busy schedule and fought hard to keep it free. A week in between residential courses was all we had, but we were determined to make the most of it.
On our pilgrimage we visited the following places:
- Kora around Drilbu Ri, the Heruka mountain
- Chenrezig Statue at White Chenrezig Lake (Omay Tso) near Triloknath (Phakpa)
- Vajrayogini Temple in Udaipur (Markula)
- Tara Temple & Palden Lhamo Waterfall near Sissu
- Padmasambava caves & statue in Rewalsar (Tso Pema)
To write about these places in detail would take many pages. So here are just a few pictures to inspire you to visit these places yourself, as Lama Zopa Rinpoche has encouraged all of us to do!!
Many thanks to Kiko, our Assistant Director, who organized and guided this tour with much joy, fearlessness and patience!! Per Rinpoche’s request, we eagerly await his guidebook to this area.
The Tushita Team – happy to go on pilgrimage to Lahaul!
Our Tushita jeep & car making their way up the narrow mountain roads shared with many beings.
It takes about 24 hours of travelling to reach Lahaul – via Manali and here crossing the the Rohtang Pass at 4000m. With countless spectacular views on the way!
It was an adventure with plenty of perilous roads…
… and lots of dust
Our first goal: the kora around Drilbu Ri, the Heruka mountain
Kardang Gompa at the start of the kora – a good place to spend the night for an early morning start.
The resident nuns and Kiko, who had accomplished many koras during his holiday break earlier in the year.
An early start is a must!
Drilbu Ri – up up up we go!
It takes about 5 hours to reach the top with plenty of breaks…
… and breathtaking views
Yay – the top is reached!
Putting up prayer flags, making light and incense offerings and many prayers.
Getting ready for the trip down…
… with the majestic mountains in front of us
Next destination: the little village of Triloknath (Phakpa), home of the special Chenrezig statue.
Triloknath and its spectacular mountain setting
Simple village life
Lama Zopa Rinpoche wrote mantras on this rock
Walk to Udaipur – it’s the shortest way!
Surely the water must be very cold. Bit scary, isn’t it?
And if one is too scary, two fit as well!
The Vajrayogini temple in Udaipur (Markula)
In front of the temple one can clearly see the footprint of a dakini in solid rock. There are more footprints to be found all around the area.
On the way to the holy Chenrezig Lake – the water from the lake is all white.
Our fearless guide Kiko – the way to the lake is often hard to find.
After hours we finally reached the lake – what is a pilgrimage without hardships involved!
Happy that we made it. It was a tough way up! Bad weather is approaching…
Relaxing after a long day of walking
Pilgrimage makes one hungry – we are ready for a good meal in one of the two small local restaurants.
On the way again…
Excuse us, may we pass please!
This yak is quite impressive, maybe we better stay in the car.
The Palden Lhamo waterfall near Sissu
The Tara Temple near Sissu
Up to the Rothang Pass again – good bye amazing Lahaul. We hope to come back soon again!
Tso Pema (Rewalsar)
The Padmasambhava caves above Tso Pema
The Padmasambhava statue overlooking the lake
Back home to the monsoon – the fog is rolling down the hills above Dharamkot and Tushita
An amazing ending of an amazing pilgrimage!
