| Last July did the lady set on a
journey to Mount Kailash and Mansarovar and here she shares with us a few experiences of
hers, in an exclusive interview with www.khojhyderabad.com. Excerpts of the Interview :
Q. What exactly had made you pen "A Journey to the
Heavens"?
A. Writing of this travelogue is a result of the diary I maintained. All four of us
– namely Sri L N Bangar, Shreeyash, Sheetal & me had clicked some very beautiful
photos. When the friends saw the beautiful photographs and the well-documented diary, they
suggested me to compile them into a book.
Our book is both a travelogue and a guidebook. Important as
the spiritual aspect is, the yatri should also focus on the practical realities. I
had tried to present details for this most unusual and strenuous yatra with the options of
itinerary and essential practical information, which the yatri may find useful. It
even contains the mantras to be recited at the sacred Mansarovar, Hotel &
Telephone tariffs, list of essential medicines required, English equivalents to some
Tibetan’s words to make life easier during the journey.
Q. How in you words is the response to the book? Is any
other book on cards?
A. This was the first book that I have ever written and the response to the book was
very good. There has even been an extensive press coverage for the book. The book is even
available online at www.ajourneytotheheavens.com
powered by ebiz.karvy.com. But, most of all, it is the Dalai Lama’s message that was
a real great honour for the book. Then I thought I would make narrative book for kids and
wrote "Yash and Aman’s Journey to Mansarovar & Mt. Kailash". I have
visited some three to four nursery schools at Mumbai and Hyderabad, distributed dummy
copies of the book and tried to seek their opinion on it. The response for this book also
was seemingly positive.
Q. Can you tell us more about "Yash & Aman’s
Journey to Mansarovar & Mt. Kailash"?
A. This book is an outcome of our earlier book "A Journey to the Heavens".
Ever since the launch of our previous book, lots of young children have come up and asked
about Kailash and Mansarovar. This has made me want to explain things to them in a simple
& interesting manner. The book "Yash & Aman’s Journey to Mansarovar
& Mt. Kailash" is one, which equally involves both the parents and children in
its enjoyment. The story in simple words is about two young children, who along with their
grand mother and aunt undertake this eventful journey to Mansarovar and Mt. Kailash.
I have tried explaining the heritage of
Kailash & Mansarovar to our youngsters. Various terms like pilgrimage, havan, monks
have been explained simply. For an easy reading and continuity, on the right hand side
page is the narration in black ink with colourful illustration for the child to read and
the "point to note" for the adult guidance is printed on the left hand side page
in a different colour. This attractive little 24-page book is priced at Rs.55.
Q. Hailing from a business family like yours, how is it
that literature interested you and not business?
A. Somehow… be it business or anything for that matter, the ultimate aim is
happiness and peace of mind. I find that peace of mind in my world of Arts and Crafts. All
my family members appreciate art too. I have done my BA(hons.) in Sanskrit and then BE
from US. I just tend to seek pleasure in the aesthetic sense of everything around me. So,
I am happy with whatever I do.
Q. What other arts interest you? Can you tell us about
your likes and hobbies?
A. I should say… friends come first on my list of priorities and next of course
reading books. Visual arts, designing, paintings and also other handicrafts interest me.
Among paintings I relate more to figurative paintings as against the abstract form of art.
I basically like having aesthetic atmosphere all around.
Q. What are your other activities?
A. Well, I collect books and also paintings of many a famous painter ranging from MF
Hussain to Laxma Goud. In fact recently we even have started our own publications, called
"Samay Publications" owned by Mr M S Rama Krishna, myself and Sheetal Bangar.
Q. How adventurous or risky is the
journey to Mansarovar?
A. I would say, Adventure is too light a word to be used. It was an exhilarating and
meaningful experience. As for risk, I feel even going on the road could be risky!
Q. Can you share a few experiences of yours on the
journey to Mount Kailash?
A. It was four of us on the journey and it was absolutely a great experience. At Mt.
Kailash, we have taken a parikrama around the mountain, which is a trek of 53kms taking us
to a height of 18800ft above the ground. One experience was the sighting of Kagbhushandiji,
the crow saint with red beak. It is said that anybody who sights Kagbhushandij would
remain at absolute peace… away from all their worries. We experienced it. You can
better understand from the book.
Q. As is told by a few pilgrims, Mount Kailash
supposedly appears like the face of Lord Shiva with the Jhatajhoot and even Ganga.
What do you have to say about this?
A. Mount Kailash in fact had four distinct faces and each looked totally different
from the other. Further it is all on the imagination of the pilgrims. To me it appeared
like a huge majestic snow covered mountain in the form of a shiva linga. On the South side
of the mountain were the vertical clefts called the "celestial steps",
supposedly going to the heaven.
Q. Did you experience anything supernatural on the trip?
A. Well… it was believed that sins of the people get washed away on taking one
parikrama and people attain nirvana on completing 108 parikramas. And we have taken one.
As for experiences, we saw that Kagbhushandiji and a huge "Om" in the
snow of Mt. Kailash. But, as for the supernatural experiences… it was told that Devtagan
come down to bathe in Mansarovar at nights. We somehow managed to stay awake one
night and saw some golden stars slowing gliding down the sky to take a dip in the lake. I
believe they were the angels. As for the general experience, you can have a brief idea
with the movie clip in the web site.
Click here for "A
Vicarious Journey to the Heavens"
Ms Rama |
