The grandeur of nature where you forget everything and only she remains unforgotten
Tibetans call this mountain “Qomolangma”, Nepalese call “Chomolungma” – means the “Goddess Mother of the World” or “Goddess Mother of the Wind”.
The Green (“Eco”) bus was crowded on the way to Everest Base Camp (EBC), and then a spontaneous cheer erupted at the first sight of the magnificent – snow-clad Everest, its peak gleaming beneath the hanging clouds.
We arrived close to sunset. The golden sun dazzled on the snow peak. It was a lucky day for all, especially those who had waited in EBC for days.
I hurriedly proceeded as usual. A yak grazing near Rongbuk Monastery didn’t take kindly to the intruder with a camera and charged me! Avoiding the distraction, I ran toward the big mountain as sunset neared. At an altitude close to 17k ft, my heart was racing. Soon, my mind trod deep inside, and standing by the road, I was spellbound. My palm neither wanted to hold the cell phone, nor my eye wished for the viewfinder. All chatter stopped; it was an experience of standing meditation, forgetting everything in front of the unforgettable, dramatic view of the formidable Everest.
The night was clear, the moon waxing gibbous, and I went back to the Goddess Mother alone. The thin air of high altitude, the solitude, the starry sky, and the sound of the flowing river created a celestial atmosphere. Hearing footsteps, I stopped and realized they were mine, reverberating in the surroundings. Leaving the camera on a borrowed tripod, I took a few shots of Everest shimmering in the moonlight. As I proceeded further, I saw flashlights shining on me and decided to head back. All night, my heart was filled with the radiance of the magnificent mountain.
We returned at dawn with our headlamps. Tourists waited for the morning mist to clear. Although the peak was covered in mist, the grand Everest showcased its splendid appearance all along.
Rongbuk Monastery
Our final stop was Rongbuk Monastery, where our guide, Tenzing, was warmly greeted by his lama friend. Founded by Ngawang Tenzin Norbu, Rongbuk evolved into a powerful Buddhist center, its influence extending to over a dozen affiliated religious institutions. Devout monks from Tibet, Nepal, and India often make pilgrimage here.
Nearby, in the picturesque Gama Valley, lies an ancient monastery close to Mt. Everest’s east face. This sacred site preserves Guru Rinpoche’s meditation cave, complete with his hand and footprints on the stones and stupas. Gama Valley is one of the few places I long to visit before my hiking days end.
