Describe in your words verrier elwin's journey from bomdi la to dirang
Answers
corner between Bhutan and Tibet. It is famous for a number of reasons. First, for it's Buddhist monastery in a beautiful upland Valley; secondly, because it was the first place of importance, which the Dalai Lama visit when he sought asylum four years ago; and thirdly, because it was captured by that Chinese in 1962 and a later, because it was re-occupied by the lamas and the Indian administrators after a few weeks.
Verrier Elwin and his second wife Lilawent to Tawang in the month of May 1956 following the very route, which the Dalai Lama had used, but in the reverse order. Then the only way to travel was on foot or pony; but later a Mountain Road made it more easily accessible.
Tawang being a long way off, they started from Tezpur and drove toCharduar at the foot of the mountains and then upwards by the car towards Bomdila. The Dalai Lama had been greeted by 200 journalists when he had arrived at Tezpur; he head also travelled by jeep between charduar and bomdila. However, Elwin and Leela had to abandon their vehicle about 28 miles beyond Charduar after a steep climb of 8000 feet. Then, they went on food and pony along a narrow bridlepath. The best things about this path was that it led them through lovely scenic valleys, hills, streams and sacred shrines; the worst was that they had to endure the stings of dimdam flies and had to ride ponies alone extreme edges of precipices.
Elwin regards this journey, to be one of the most memorable adventure NEFAhas to offer. He gives us a vivid description of the beautiful countryside and opines that if there is a Paradise in NEFA, it is this valley. It is followed by a detailed description of the local dress, which they don in preparation of their pilgrimage in the mids of the snow clad mountains.
In the next few paragraph, we are given a description of the Dirang Valleyinhabited by the monpa tribe: their faith, custom and traditional. From bomdila, they were escorted along the river really to Dirang by friends and politics officer rs Nag and a young anthropologist sachin. Dirang is home to the Monpa tribe of NEFA. Buddhist by religion, there were several Buddha temples. Great prayer wheels and grindstones where work or rotated by water and along with the flags fluttering in breeze,repeated endlessly their sacred words: OM MANI PADME HUM. Their houses were two storied stone buildings stone nestled the Hills on both the blanks of the river. The house where they put up was a small Temple, which stood above an old fort or dzong, situated in the middle of the village. It had a small library and the room in which they slept had several small idols of the buddha.
The same ceremonial welcome was extended to them at Sinzedong, a plateau under the Se La Mountains, where the Dalai Lama had halted on his journey. They crossed the sela pass, which is 14000 feet high and came across twin lakes called the Eyes of God. It rained as they crossed the parts and climbed Halfway down the other side where at a height of Meetha Naam20000 feet the monpas constructed their tiny tent like a bower of flowers. Though beautiful, they spend a very cold night and the next day proceeded to Tawang 20 miles away. They got their first glimpse of the monastery while there were 15 miles away. It stood on the hillside like a huge ship 10000 feet above sea level. When they arrived, the villagers and the Prior with some senior monks resplendent in their ceremonial robes and hats accorded them a ceremonial welcome.
The following paragraph of the essay are devoted to a description of the monastery. It had a huge countryard and the main temple contained a huge statue of the Buddha along with smaller images. Here they witnessed the mahayana types of Buddhism with strong tantric elements. He saw images of Demons, great saints, temple hanging Bells, scrolls, flags, and lights, human thigh bones used as trumpets, rich carpets and the traditional artificial lights, which illuminated the temple in a rich and sombre magnificence. Since the next day was Buddha purnima 24 May, the 2,500 birth anniversary of the Buddha the monks were sitting in long rows in the temple chanting prayers.
The monastery had a library, which possessed rare Buddhist scriptures, called the Getompa, consisting of 8 volumes-three of which are lettered in gold. Of the 700 books, some were hand written and some printed. The Lamas revered books even though they may not be able to read it. On days of festival scred books were carried in processions around the village. In the library, they were offered strange but pleasant dishes and butter tea, a speciality of the area, while they watched dances performed in honour of the festival.
Answer:
Elwin begins his account of the journey with the description of the geographic religious and political importance of Tawang. The importance of this valley can be realized by the fact that it was the first place at which Dalai Lama had halted when he travelled India seeking Political asylum(Shelter). The first part of the journey leads the author and his companions to Bomdila. He gives a vivid description of the journey, its problems and its joy which are adequate compensation for all their troubles they had to face.
From Bomdila they travelled to Dirang where they met the people of Monpa Tribes. Elwin describes different aspects of Monpa life including their houses, their dress code, their temple, their rituals and their food habits. He also remembers the warm hospitality, the pleasant atmosphere and the loving care he received on this occasion. Both he and his wife Lila along with the other members of the expedition really had a great time.
Although, Elwin himself found the better-tea that was served to be a little over whelming for his liking but others enjoyed it a lot. Tea was followed by rice spirit, a strong drink that he compares with Vodka. This strong drink was offered to them in every village they crossed.
Next the author describes their journey from Dirang to the Sela Pass, once again the hardship of the journey is forgotten in the beauty of the nature. The journey culminates in the Buddhists’ Monastery at Tawang what makes the moment most special is that they arrived at the monastery on Buddha Purnima Day.
Once again Elwin’s fascination for Buddhism is evident here. He does not speak of it as a journey but as a pilgrimage. He states that, “It meant something much more to me than the ordinary official tour.” The Buddha Purhit and the ceremonial procession made it all important and spiritually engaging for the visitors. Elwin watched the whole festival from the Balcony of the Monastery and found a divine inspiration within him.
Explanation:
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