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Pemako Pilgrimage
For nearly 2000 years, the notion of an earthly paradise
or Shangri La hidden among the peaks of Asia has captivated
the human imagination. Western explorers combed the
region in search of this hidden land of bliss and nectar
described in ancient Buddhist texts as the Pemako or
the Lotus land.
According
to Buddhist tradition Pemako is one of the 16 earthly
paradises, a promised land free of worry, the ultimate
hidden haven. The place is where, it is prophesied that
the seed of humanity will thrive at the end of the world
in famine and calamities.
In the beginning of the 20th century, many Khampas from
Tibet made the long, arduous trek to Pemako in quest
of succor and refuge. They are one of the major inhabitants
of the region, along The Adis, Mishmis who were the
original inhabitants here. The region is a melting pot
of different tribal cultures, where all the tribes exist
in complete harmony among themselves and the nature.
Walking through pemako one can see Adi, Memba, khampa
and Mishmi villages with their distinctive culture,
faith and lifestyle.
The Pemako is consecrated to the female divinity of
Dorje Phagmo and its sacred geography is mapped to the
body of this sleeping Goddess. Her head is the Kangri
Kangpo, her two breasts is Namche Barwa and Gyala Peri
respectively. The lower part of her body lies in Yangsang
or the innermost pemako which is the upper Siang region
of Arunachal Pradesh. In the confluence of Siang (Tsangpo)
and Yangsang is the sacred triangle Kila Yangzom the
vulva of Goddess Dorje Phagmo. This the supreme of sacred
lands is now open to the world to discover and marvel.
Every year pilgrims traverse the area on Kora (circumbulation).
Covering the sacred Devakota, the gathering place of
Dakinis, The holy Titapori mountain, Pemashree and Riu
Tala (Eko Dumbing for Adis).
After an arduous trekking of 4 days one reaches the
sacred Titapori Mountain at 14,000 ft. The landscape
here forms a fully opened lotus. In the lake of Danakosha
there is the Citta Island, ‘the heart of the world’.
According to ancient pemako guide book; upon merely
seeing this place ones obscurations of knowledge will
be cleared and negative Karma accumulated over a thousand
eons will be purified.
From here one have breathtaking view of the majestic
Himalaya range with Namche Barwa peak and Kondu Dosem
Potrang the mythical palace of Dorje Sempa in the north,
the Pemashree and the Eko Dumbing or Riu Tala of the
Abroka range towards west and south respectively.
It is a treasure trove of flora and fauna with all kinds
of medicinal and aromatic plants and rare flowers. It
is also a Rhododendron fairyland. 44 new species was
discovered here in 2005. Wildlife: Goral, Takin, Musk
deer, Snow leopard, Tiger.
The Adi hunters come to the high mountains in an annual
expedition to collect aconite poison and offer their
prayer and homage to the Deities of the mountain.
The region offers very challenging trekking opportunities
for pilgrims, plant enthusiasts and bird watching.
Best period August to October.
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| Namche Barwa from upper Siang |
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Tormas |
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| Khampa lady in Pemako |
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Oken in high Pemako |
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| A view of the Beyul range |
|
Holy Danakosha lake |
HIGH PEMAKO TREK
| Day
1 - |
Arrive
at Guahati /Dibrugarh airport |
| Day
2 - |
Drive
to Pasighat. 7 hrs |
| Day
3 - |
Drive
to Jengging (2690 ft) 7 hrs |
| Day
4 - |
Drive
to Tuting (1493) 9 hrs. |
| Day
5 - |
Trek
to Kuging village (2786 ft) 5 hrs |
| Day
6 - |
Trek
to camp Mabi (7205 ft) 6 hrs |
| Day
7 - |
Trek
to camp Yungchak (7925 ft) 3 hrs |
| Day
8 - |
Trek
to camp Kanebenga (10795 ft) 5 hrs |
| Day
9 - |
Trek
to camp Pao Lipik (11959 ft) 6 hrs. On a clear day
you can see the Namche Barwa mountain with its whole
range. |
| Day
10 - |
Danakosha
(13123 ft). The sacred lake with the Tseta(heart)
Island. |
| Day
11 - |
Kora
(circumbulation) of the 5 sacred lakes, each of
which as believed, will give you Tantrik powers.
On a good weather we can see the Kududusempedrong-the
abode of Vajrasattava,Rinchinpong and the Beyul
range etc. |
| Day
12 - |
Trek
to camp Wangchen Phukpa (13225 ft) 7 hrs. |
| Day
13 - |
Trek
to camp Dungchen Droma (12500 ft) 3 hrs. |
| Day
14 - |
Trek
to camp Tashi Droma (4663 ft) 8 hrs. |
| Day
15 - |
Trek
to Tashigang village (4961 ft) 4 hrs. |
| Day
16 - |
Trek
to the holy Dewa Kota circled by Yang sang river.
After Kora and prayers trek to Mankota(3771 ft)
5 hrs. |
| Day
17 - |
Trek
to Nyukong (Adi village) 4109 ft. 4 hrs. |
| Day
18 - |
Trek
to Tuting. 5 hrs. |
| Day
19 - |
Drive
to Jengging. |
| Day
20 - |
Drive
to Pasighat. |
| Day
21 - |
Ferry
down to Dibrugarh on river Brahmaputra. Stay at
colonial tea garden bunglow. |
| Day
22 - |
Fly
out to Delhi/kolkotta |
TOUR
ENDS
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