Projects
In 1998, on Pujya Swamiji’s first yatra (spiritual pilgrimage) to the sacred land of Lake Mansarovar and Mt Kailash in Tibet, He saw the dire absence of any facilities. He vowed to create indoor lodging (ashrams) as well as medical facilities for pilgrims and local people. In July 2003, we inaugurated the Parmarth Kailash-Mansarovar Ashram on the banks of Lake Mansarovar, the first ashram ever in this holy land. There are 20 rooms with 5 - 8 beds each. Additionally, there are 2 large halls for katha, meditation, satsang and also which can serve as an additional dormitory. There is also a medical clinic for local people as well as pilgrims.
In 2004, a team of nearly 40 doctors and medical assistants travelled from USA in the first free medical camp in Mansarovar and Mt Kailash and plans are on for annual free medical camps.
In June 2006, we inaugurated the Parmarth Kailash-Mansarovar ashram in Paryang, Tibet. Paryang is a small village en route to Mansarovar, and it is the last place where all yatris have to spend the night prior to reaching Lake Mansarovar. Prior to our ashram, there were no proper facilities, not even any running water. Now the Parmarth Ashram has 25 beautifully furnished rooms (doubles, triples and larger rooms). There are also 2 large halls for puja and satsang or to serve as a dormitory, and one hall for dining. Further, there are full bathrooms with running water and even showers with hot water!
The ashram is already a great boon for the town as we hired local people for the construction and trained them in masonry, carpentry and painting. The ashram is run and maintained also by local Tibetans. Further, proceeds from the ashram go back to the community for education, health care and other projects.
Pujya Swamiji is especially committed to the local school, which we visited. He pledged His support for the school and has also pledged to build a computer centre for the students and organise a hygiene program.
Now the third Parmarth Kailash-Mansarovar ashram is nearly complete in Dirapuk at a height of nearly 17,000 feet on the scared Mt Kailash parikrama route. Dirapuk is the place where all yatris who are undertaking the parikrama spend their first night, 20kms beyond the starting point. It is from the location from which the darshan of Kailash is the closest, clearest and most spectacular. The ashram is double-storied with nearly 50 rooms as well as a hall and dining facilities.
