The Village People of the Himalayan Mountains
Notes after reading the introduction in the book 'Himalayan Masters' by Swami
Rama
The Himalayan's are the reservoirs for the drinking and irrigation waters
for the whole of India. When the Ganges flows from it sources in the
glaciers of Gangtri, it carries in its water a variety of minerals which have
nutritional and therapeutic value. Skin diseases are really found among
villagers who live on the banks of the Ganges. A bottle of Ganges water is
kept in every home, and practically all of the villagers give it to a dying
person to drink.
When bottled, this water does not become stagnant, and bacteria do not
survive in it, although they do in the water from others rivers.
Some of the villagers throw the bodies of their deceased into the Ganges
river believing that by doing so the souls of there loved ones will go to
heaven. Such belief is only superstition and has no logic.
The mountain people of the Himalayas are poor but honest, they do not
steal or quarrel. No one even locks their house. They do not touch what
does not belong to them. There is no greed for there needs are few,
they do not suffer from materialistic insanity.
The villagers are dependent on the plains only for salt and for oil to
burn in their lamps. The people don't know how to hate anyone, or
understand hatred. They are simple honest and gentle people. Life
there is calm and peaceful. The people of the mountains are intelligent,
cultured and friendly. The people here lead simply and close to nature.
They live in beautiful wooden houses and weave their own clothes.
They dance together, chant and sing their folklore in beautiful, harmonious
movement and melodies.
The
children have great love and respect for their elders and parents. The
life span of the people is often over 100 years.
Throughout these mountains, Shakti (Divine Mother) worship is prominent
and in every village there are at least one or two small chapels. The
sages, however, travel and do not form communities such as the villagers do.
These sages are treated very nicely by the villagers and are given free food and
shelter. They come from different cultures and parts of the country (and
world) and live in caves, under trees, or in tiny thatched huts. These
dwelling places are considered temples and are situated outside
the
villages. There is always at least one wise man and sometimes several
staying there whose bare necessitates are maintained by the villagers.
When any wandering sadhu (renunciate), yogi or sage comes by, the villagers
freely offer whatever food they have. They enjoy entertaining guests and
easily establish friendship with them.
The month of July is the finest month for traveling in the Himalayas.
The snow and glaciers are melting then, and there are thousands of streams
rushing all over. It is not unpleasantly cold and those who know the
nature of glaciers, avalanches and landslides can travel comfortably if they are
careful. The dangers of the Himalayan mountains are the same today as they
have always been. Avalanches, fast-running streams and rivers, overhanging
cliffs and high-towering snow covered peaks will not change their ways for
any traveler. Nonetheless, the spiritual heritage of the Himalayas has
long motivated travelers to explore their unknown wisdom.
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Nepal The Himalayan Mountains are the highest in the world and are bisected by deep valleys. These lands are home to people encompassing a large variety of ethnic and religious backgrounds.
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