CULTURES AROUND THE EVEREST BASE CAMP TREKKING

[Anjan Tamang]

Cultures Around the Everest Base Camp Trekking, the moment you reach Lukla town airport, which is known as Tenzing & Hillary Airport. Where you will witness the Sherpa’s of Khumbu and Everest region impressive cultures interwoven to strong Tibetan Buddhism religion.As the walk starts to your overnight destination to Phakding village or further, the route leads through busy and exciting Lukla town. Notice the houses built and designed similar to Tibetan style architectures, and the locals especially the women dressed in typical Sherpa costumes.

 The cultures on route to Everest base camp trekking begin from here, following the main trail, lined with Buddhist prayer stone walls. Includes rows of prayer wheels some of them are quite large, as you rotate the bell chimes along with the prayer chanting. As the walk continues from one village, notice every house adorned with Buddhist prayer flags some are just white or green. But most have layers of colors with blue on top for the sky, white represents water or clouds, green for vegetation. Brown or dull yellow color a symbol for the earth with prayer in Tibetan script, the religious flag called Lung-Ta. A Wind-Horse the figure is printed on each section of the flag, the belief is protected from the evil spirits. 

The other common sight you see on walks, huge rocks and boulders carved with interesting prayers, some are colored. The famous and main prayer word is ‘Om Mane Padme Om’ it means “Oh Jewel / Lord on a Lotus”. Signifies ‘Om as the soothing sound of the universe, Mani embodies ethics and patience, Padme-diligence and focus, Hum as Unity for All’.   

Trek leads to several traditional villages and monasteries, then reaches Namche Bazaar, enjoy spectacular culture with glorious views of snow-capped peaks. At Namche a large village, almost a size of a town where every Saturday, a colorful market takes place. No wonder it’s known as Namche Bazaar, observe the native Sherpa from all around Khumbu on market day.

An exciting place to be among the crowd of locals, dressed in their traditional colorful attire, with jewelry of precious beads. The necklace that women wear, a heritage linkage of coral-turquoise-amber and thunder-stones, with fur hats and traditional costume. At Namche Bazaar, a great place to immerse within a local culture of the age-old heritage of Buddhism. From Namche onward to another scenic and cultural location at Tengboche with a famous monastery. Enjoy a tour of the Gompa the monastery enriched with ancient statues of Lord Buddha and famous saints, gurus. Here most mountaineers visit the monastery to get blessed by the high priest for safe and successful climbing.

 Tengboche Monastery is lively during the festival of Mani-Rimdu takes place in October or November, as per the Buddhist Lunar calendar. An interesting occasion where monks dressed in colorful dress and mask dances to wade evil spirits for the good-will of the Khumbu villagers.

Tengboche a beautiful spot surrounded by high snow-peaks amidst green forest facing views of Mt. Everest and other famous giant peaks. From Tengboche, the last permanent village is Pangboche with an old monastery, en route to Everest base camp. The places on the way are temporary settlements to cater to the trekkers on their way and back from Everest base camp.   

On your last day in Lukla, where the land-lord and guide bids you with a warm traditional farewell, adorns you with Khada. A Buddhist silk scarf symbolizes good luck and a safe journey, a great way to end the adventure with fascinating culture on the 9 Days Everest Base Camp Trekking.

[Anjan Tamang]

Don't Miss to do the Everest Base Camp Trek in 2021.