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Pilgrims in Tibet


Pierre Crie

Mount Kailash is situated in the south-west of Tibet. The Indus, the Brahmaputra and the Karnali Rivers all originate from there. Tibetans consider that these mountains possess occult powers. By using various methods to enter into communication with them, the mountains allow them to become aware of their previous lives. The same applies for the surrounding lakes. A mountain or a lake can incarnate itself as the spiritual and religious receptacle of an individual, a family, or even an entire nation. Pilgrims perform their ablutions in natural stoups: purifying lakes. At certain points on their long pilgrimage, they hang rocks from rocky mountain peaks with the aid of silk or muslin scarves, reciting their sins in the face of the freezing wind of forgiveness. They also build pyramid mounds, covered in multi-coloured prayer flags. Stone and water are sacred, since the site itself is sacred. The medicinal herbs that the pilgrims pick here have, in their eyes, stronger healing power. There are some who call forth the body of the mountain by sucking icicles and by carrying the dust of the rocks in their mouths. Martin Melkonian



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