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Without question, the Sherpa Puja ceremony was an unforgettable experience. During the Puja, the Sherpas essentially ask and pray to the gods for permission to climb upon Mt. Everest and for a blessing for a safe and successful expedition. Until the Puja is held, no one from the expedition is allowed to travel through the Khumbu Icefall, for fear of angering the gods.
In the midst of the Puja, one of the Sherpas prepares the flag pole to be raised upon the chorten.
As a Buddhist religious ceremony, the Puja is presided over by a lama, a Buddhist holy man, this one from the village of Pangboche.
Prior to everyone gathering around the chorten, the lama reads and chants from a prayer book.
One of the things that was so brilliant about the Puja was the weather: sparkling sun and blue skies, with wispy, magical, radiant clouds. Absolutely amazing, with positive vibes and energy overflowing. All boding well for a safe and successful climb.
The camp's flag pole, with prayer flags, against the backdrop of the Khumbu Icefall.
The expedition team, with Sherpas, crowded around the camp's chorten, a small temple meticulously constructed of rocks. All in all, the Puja takes roughly 3 hours, though it was such a treat, we wished it were longer
During the Puja, the climbers and Sherpas alike place their ice axes, crampons, and other items against the chorten to be blessed during the ceremony.
A bird landing atop the flag pole during the Puja is said to be a most auspicious sign--one we hope also bodes well for safety and success.
But wait, there's more! Continue on to Puja Ceremony 2. |
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During
the Puja, the flag pole is raised upon the chorten and prayer flags strung
across the camp. Here the Sherpas secure prayer flags. Prayer flags
can be seen all throughout the principally Buddhist Khumbu Valley (as well as
Tibet) and are said to purify the air and pacify the gods, as they flutter in
the wind and, in so doing, release the prayers written upon them to the
heavens. The 5 colors of the prayer flags--always red, green, yellow, blue
and white--are symbolic of the earth's five elements: fire, wood, earth, water
and iron.
