ABC puja

We have a special puja and are about to head up on the mountain for an acclimatization push

16 Sept - Puja

With the new moon, the 16th was a particularly auspicious day for our puja. Dawa and Da'Yula officiated and a Tibetan Lama helped with the service, the sonorous chanting was hypnotizing. Just after we threw some rice up in the air it started snowing, a return from above, and so we had all types of weather as usual.

The puja can be considered as a blessing for our climbing equipment; or as forgiveness for hurting the mountain with our ice axe and crampons. It is a good time to really see the mountain and consider the expedition.

First the sherpa team hoisted up the prayer flags, stringing them in five directions then we tied to the prayer flags a kata with a handful of blessed rice bound in it. Then Dawa and Da'Yula chanted Tibetan prayers with some rituals. After we threw a handful of tsampa in the air the Nepal whisky by the capful came around, and tsampa was smeared on the side of our face.

Ice axes and crampons ready for the puja, with a daub of butter on the points,
and a Tibetan lama in the background - Namgyal

The sacred threads and prayer packets, and the cup of beer
with a juniper spring with a few flecks of saffron on it - Jamie

Centre, a torma, made from butter and tsampa, and the yellow decorations are made from butter - Namgyal

At the end of the puja Ursula puts back a capful of whiskey;
James is eating biscuits but had just had a shot, and Jen - Jamie

Joe has the blessed tsampa sprinkled on his shoulder by Dawa - Jamie

Dr Jen taking care of her throat; other team members in her glasses - Jamie

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