Travel to Namolung

12/1/2024

7:35am 

I've finally made it to the top of the mountain. This place is covered in greenery. Nestled in the cranny, as Abhay described, I find a monastery. A Buddhist one. Some monks are out right now, cleaning the perimeter, donning their infamous orange robes.  This place is tranquilising as it is serene. It is a heaven nestled within the clouds!

Image Source: Alix Lee

8:03am

We've been a bit late. Their days started at dawn-break, which was 4:00am. Such discipline! I can't begin to fathom waking up that early every day. And, I've woken up at 6:00 am today! Another interesting fact to note is that the monks out earlier weren't all. We've been informed that some have gone out begging for alms since 6:00am in the nearby village. As per their routine, they've set out a bowl of barely soup for the dogs that live nearby. We're proceeding to set foot inside the monastery now.

12:12pm

Monks have usurped the last meal of the day. They've been generous enough to extend their preparations to us as well. A warm meal of barley flour and butter soup. The younger ones who had gone out begging are eating their offerings from villagers.

These monks won't be preparing another meal another the daybreak tomorrow!

1:32pm

So it is time for a division of duties. The head monk has headed out for a ritual in the village. Others have picked up the duty to teach the youngsters on teachings of Buddha. Some others have taken a trip to a nearby quiet spot for some meditation. As for us, the early morning hike and warm meal have seemed too much and we've taken up the designated spot in the spare rooms., A siesta sounds seemingly perfect, right now.

4:30pm

The head monk has been generous enough to let me inside the primary chapel. Alone, in the quiet parlour, I have noticed a few things. A few decorative bowls filled with water were set near the idols. A mild aroma of incense hung around. Several butter lamps were lit. They were nearing their end. Probably were lit in the morning. Some beautiful pale yellow decorative pieces are kept as offerings to the idol. The chapel is modest and unpretentious in its nature. A few golden Buddha idols adorn the stage. 

Image Source: Julia Volk

8:20pm

We're back in the back spare rooms and generously offered mattresses to protect our backs from the cold hard floors. The monks, unlike us, sleep on the bare floor, I've been told. Abhay spent the day alongside the monk kids watching TV, playing games and meditating before bed. I've been doing none of the partaking. It is late now. We've been told to turn the lights off at 8, but I've been spending the last fifteen minutes scrolling the gallery log refreshing the wonderful memories of the day. It has been such a unique day. It will never return again. Alas! we leave tomorrow. Another day Namolung!