Newsletter – July 2020
Namaste/Vanakkam:
The summer is in full swing and days are gradually beginning to get a little shorter following the summer solstice almost a month ago. I would like to thank an unknown devotee/s who has been working diligently on cleaning the floors around the temple. It certainly looks prettier, brighter and much more inviting to the visitor. Our adopted country celebrated its independence on 4th of July in a very different manner compared to previous traditional years. No matter where we are, we need to recognize the challenges and struggles of our forefathers went through to get us where we are now. In the U.S., the country tries to grapple with the challenges associated with racial discrimination, social hierarchical issues and reality of significant unemployment and poverty related to job losses. As a community and individuals who have the capacity to help, ability and commitment to effect changes, I will continue encourage our involvement in coming up with solutions. The LOTUS leadership continues to be open to suggestions that we can translate to community involvement and activity.
It was Guru Purnima on the 5th and many South Indians will celebrate each of the coming Friday of this month as a special day in the month of “Aadi”. Muslims will celebrate Eid-al-Adha starting July 31st in a tradition of prayer and sacrifices. For many of us in the community our kids who are still in college on mainland or just starting jobs are getting ready to pack their bags to start a new academic year or appropriately a new job.
Dharm Bhawuk and Chittibabu Choppari perform the Pooja on June 21, 2020
The third Sunday of this month falls on 19th of this month. From the perspective of the course of the Pandemic in our community things are a little worse than what they were a month ago with respect to the number of infections and increased hospital admissions. Dr. Bhawuk will perform the pooja from noon to 2, and I urge you all to participate from your homes with your own prayers. If you do plan to visit the temple, please do not all congregate at once. There have been questions about sharing contact information if participating in the pooja at the above time. I believe this is both our civic and public health duty should there be an unforeseen exposure during the pooja. As an organization, we will continue to make our membership know that contact information will be shared if there is the need for contact tracing.
Stay safe and warm aloha,
Venkataraman Balaraman
President
I take this opportunity to share a brief synopsis of our adventurous trip to Mount Kailash six years ago in July 2014 with the hope that it will encourage more people to consider this when they are still able to.
Balaraman Ohana Journey to Nepal and Tibet
The Parikrama around Mount Kailash is considered a holy pilgrimage; a journey that is considered very revered for many religions including Hindus. Mount Kailash is the abode of Lord Shiva and is a sacred mountain that is off-limits to humans. Thousands annually go around the mountain (52-57 km hike) using various modalities of transport as one of their lifelong dreams of paying respects to Lord Shiva.
https://images.app.goo.gl/K1ahReJYeViJLzvF7
Our Journey to Mount Kailash was in July 2014 and started with a two-day acclimatization and orientation in Kathmandu, Nepal. The visit to Pashupatinath Temple started our spiritual pilgrimage of the summer.
Following this we crossed over into Tibet by flying to Lhasa and spending the next step of our acclimatization there over the next two days and three nights. Our journey was enlightened by visits to many of the Buddhist monasteries in the city with the most impressive ones being the Jokhang and Sera and enjoying the monk debates.
This was followed by a four-day road trip (southern route via Shigatse, EBC and Saga) along the Tibetan highlands with a gradual ascent from 11000 to 14000 feet reaching Lake Manasarovar. The trip was colorful and serene, and we drove for parts on the banks of Brahmaputra which was calm and soothing in this part of Tibet. The Landscape was unbelievable in its presentation of barrenness intertwined with snow peaks and lush green valleys.
We as a family did the traditional dip (It was more than that despite the cold weather) in the Lake followed by innumerable hours to get warm to the core again in the back of utility vans. The next morning, we paid homage to our ancestors by doing “tarpana” in the wilderness of the sacred mountains and this was also preparatory for the start of our outer kora parikrama around Mount Kailash.
The next three days were a blur. As a family, we chose different modes of transportation for this segment. The first day was common to all with us all walking the day. Relatively mild climb into a slightly higher elevation to spend the night in a Dharamshala will plans of a very early morning departure for 6 a.m. anticipating a 10-11-hour day and covering over 20 km. This was the day we ascended to Dolma La pass at over 19000 feet followed by coming back down to 15000 feet. So, a cumulative 8000 feet gain and loss. Some of us walked and some of use had mules to help us with the journey towards Dolma La pass. Lord Shiva did test our resolve by making us face relatively harsh conditions with cold blinding rain for parts of the day. We finished the day in a single room Dharamshala with 13matteresses placed side to side and our cumulative generated heat warming us up for the night. After this the last day was a picnic stroll of another 20 km in relatively gentler up and down slopes. For me, my trusted Sherpa Rajkumar who made sure that I did not rest for too long through the trek for these three days was the inspiration to keep going. His personal story is for another day.
On the next two days was the most amazing drive through the mountains of Western Tibet and Nepal to get back to Kathmandu.
Venkataraman Balaraman on behalf of myself, Sundari, Kalpana and Prashanth
