StephenRCovey

Stephen R Covey

I was first introduced to his book - 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Then few more books. Latest one being The 8th Habit. Then one day I got hold of his audio books and lectures on his books and thoughts in MP3. I have a whole DVD worth of Audio on his subject.


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90- 10 principle by Stephen Covey

It will change your life (at least the way you react to situations).
What is this principle? 10% of life is made up of what happens to you. 90% of life is decided by how you react.
What does this mean? We really have no control over 10% of what happens to us.
We cannot stop the car from breaking down. The plane will be late arriving, which throws our whole schedule off. A driver may cut us off in traffic.
We have no control over this 10%. The other 90% is different. You determine the other 90%.
How? ……….By your reaction.
You cannot control a red light. but you can control your reaction. Don't let people fool you; YOU can control how you react.
Let's use an example.
You are eating breakfast with your family. Your daughter knocks over a cup of coffee onto your business shirt. You have no control over what just happened.
What happens next will be determined by how you react.
You curse.
You harshly scold your daughter for knocking the cup over. She breaks down in tears. After scolding her, you turn to your spouse and criticize her for placing the cup too close to the edge of the table. A short verbal battle follows. You storm upstairs and change your shirt. Back downstairs, you find your daughter has been too busy crying to finish breakfast and get ready for school. She misses the bus.
Your spouse must leave immediately for work. You rush to the car and drive your daughter to school. Because you are late, you drive 40 miles an hour in a 30 mph speed limit.
After a 15-minute delay and throwing $60 traffic fine away, you arrive at school. Your daughter runs into the building without saying goodbye. After arriving at the office 20 minutes late, you find you forgot your briefcase. Your day has started terrible. As it continues, it seems to get worse and worse. You look forward to coming home.
When you arrive home, you find small wedge in your relationship with your spouse and daughter.
Why? …. Because of how you reacted in the morning.
Why did you have a bad day?
A) Did the coffee cause it?
B) Did your daughter cause it?
C) Did the policeman cause it?
D) Did you cause it?
The answer is "D".
You had no control over what happened with the coffee. How you reacted in those 5 seconds is what caused your bad day.
Here is what could have and should have happened.
Coffee splashes over you. Your daughter is about to cry. You gently say, "Its ok honey, you just need to be more careful next time". Grabbing a towel you rush upstairs. After grabbing a new shirt and your briefcase, you come back down in time to look through the window and see your child getting on the bus. She turns and waves. You arrive 5 minutes early and cheerfully greet the staff. Your boss comments on how good the day you are having.
Notice the difference?
Two different scenarios. Both started the same. Both ended different.
Why?
Because of how you REACTED.
You really do not have any control over 10% of what happens. The other 90% was determined by your reaction.
Here are some ways to apply the 90/10 principle. If someone says something negative about you, don't be a sponge. Let the attack roll off like water on glass. You don't have to let the negative comment affect you!
React properly and it will not ruin your day. A wrong reaction could result in losing a friend, being fired, getting stressed out etc.
How do you react if someone cuts you off in traffic? Do you lose your temper? Pound on the steering wheel? A friend of mine had the steering wheel fall off) Do you curse? Does your blood pressure skyrocket? Do you try and bump them?
WHO CARES if you arrive ten seconds later at work? Why let the cars ruin your drive?
Remember the 90/10 principle, and do not worry about it.
You are told you lost your job.
Why lose sleep and get irritated? It will work out. Use your worrying energy and time into finding another job.
The plane is late; it is going to mangle your schedule for the day. Why take outpour frustration on the flight attendant? She has no control over what is going on.
Use your time to study, get to know the other passenger. Why get stressed out? It will just make things worse.
Now you know the 90-10 principle. Apply it and you will be amazed at the results. You will lose nothing if you try it. The 90-10 principle is incredible. Very few know and apply this principle.
The result?
Millions of people are suffering from undeserved stress, trials, problems and heartache. We all must understand and apply the 90/10 principle.
It CAN change your life!!! Enjoy….


தமிழ் மொழி

தமிழ் மொழி போல் இனிமையான மொழி இந்த உலகத்தில் இல்லை. தமிழ் மொழி தான் பழமையான மொழி. பல நூற்றாண்டுகளை கடந்து நிலைத்து நிற்கும் மொழி. இப்பொழுது சமீப காலமாக இந்த மொழி நிறைய சிதைக்கப்பட்டுவிட்டது. என்னுடைய இந்த 'ப்லோக்'லேயே நீங்கள் நிறைய தப்பு கண்டு பிடிக்கலாம்.

Varshini's Paintings









Varshini is my sister VijayalakshmiRamesh's 1st daughter. She has started mixing colours and giving wonderful combination of colours.

Self Help

CLASS BEGINS

A professor began his class by holding up a glass with some water in it.

He held it up for all to see; asked the students,' How much do you think this glass weighs?'

'50gms!'.... '100gms!' ......'125gms' ......the students answered.

'I really don't know unless I weigh it,' said the professor, but, my question is:
What would happen if I held it up like this for a few minutes?'

'Nothing' the students said.

'Ok what would happen if I held it up like this for an hour?' the professor asked.

'Your arm would begin to ache' said one of the students.

'You're right, now what would happen if I held it for a day?'

'Your arm could go numb; you might have severe muscle stress; paralysis;

have to go to hospital for sure, ventured another student; all the students laughed.

'Very good. But during all this, did the weight of the glass change?' asked the professor.

'No' the students said.

Then what caused the arm ache & the muscle stress?'

The students were puzzled.

'Put the glass down!' said one of the students.

'Exactly!' said the professor.' Life's problems are something like this.

Hold it for a few minutes in your head; they seem OK.

Think of them for a long time & they begin to ache. Hold it even longer & they begin to paralyze you. You will not be able to do anything.

Lesson

It's important to think of the challenges (problems) in your life, but
EVEN MORE IMPORTANT to 'put them down' at the end of every day before you go to sleep.

That way, you are not stressed, you wake up every day fresh & strong & can handle any issue, any challenge that comes your way!'

Remember to 'PUT THE GLASS DOWN TODAY!

Lessons to learn from Story:

It's important to think of the challenges (problems) in your life, but
EVEN MORE IMPORTANT to 'put them down' at the end of every day before you go to sleep.
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So how do u have ur dosa????

Heights of Research

There are many ways to eat a masala dosa ..What ever the way one eats; there is a very good reason for doing that. It shows some traits of the person that is you...

Case 1: People who open the masala dosa and eat it: These are the people who are very open about their life. Everyone one the persons friends would know all about him/her. I have generally seen guys do this rather than girls. Some people think that it is a gross way of eating but in truth, these people are just portraying who they are and how their life is.

Case 2: People who start from both end and approach the masala later: These are the people who like to wait for the exiting things to come to their life. Sadly when the times comes, they are not too interested or just do not know how to enjoy it to the fullest. These are the folks who just want life as either dry or exiting. They just do not know how to phase their life and enjoy it no matter what. There are two types of people within this group

Case 2.1: People who do not finish all the masala: These folks just do not care as much for the fun times as they are already brought down by the harsh reality of life. The dry periods in their life has left them with so much scars that they do not want to be really happy when the time is right. They just take only as much as they needed and end their life. A very sorry state indeed.

Case 2.2: People who finish all the masala with the little dosa they have: These are the folks who just are the extremes. They just go all out in life. No matter it is dark or bright. They may not enjoy life to the fullest but they sure make sure that they get every single good and bad thing out of life. Sometimes these folks are really hard to get along with. They are either your best friends or your worst enemies. They do not have a middle path at all.

Case 3: People who start from the middle and proceed to both ends: These are the people who like to get right to what they think is their best part of life. Usually these guys finish of the good portions in a hurry and get stuck with nothing but worst parts of their life. The thing to note among these people is that the tendency to burn out very early in their life. Like the above case, there are two kinds of people in this group too.

Case 3.1: People who do not finish the dosa: These folks are really the saddest of people. They are the ones who tend to end their life as soon as it hits the bad patch. For them, they only need and want the best things in life and nothing more. Typically, they are not prepared or tuned to life as a whole. They just want to enjoy from first till last. Sadly, no one in the world can live without even an ounce of sadness in life. Not even the richest of the richest. But to self destruct at the mere sign of distress is very bad. That is what these guys tend to do. Some learn to live life but most of them do not.

Case 3.1: People who do finish the dosa: These folks are the typical human beings. We all enjoy the greatest of times in life and push the sad parts thinking about the great times in life. Typically the plate is clean and nothing is left for fate or in life. Happiness and sadness are part of life and these guys know that and are kind of prepared for it. Life is not always happy but there are moments of happiness here and there.

Case 4: People who eat the dosa making sure that the masala lasts for the whole dosa: These people are very rare. These are the people who like to attain balance in their life. It is hard to displease these people and it is hard to make them really happy. They like their balance and are very protective of it. Sadly these are the people who tend to be lonely as anyone else may upset the balance of their system... Perfectionist to the core and are very careful. These guys do not make the best company but are needed in any group to make the group from going hay wire.

Case 5: People who do not share and eat the dosa as if it is precious: These folks are very protective about their life. They do not want anyone to come and interfere in their life. They like to hide their true nature and intensions for their benefit. Beware of such people as they are in every group for their own need and nothing else.

Case 6: People who offer their first bite to others: These guys are overly friendly. They do anything to be part of a group and make everyone feel like the group is important than the individuals. They are the glue that holds any group together. They are very friendly and bring the best of all the others in the group. They go out of their way to help other friends. Most groups should have a person like this and they are the ones who plan the group outings and other group activities. Once this person is out of the group, typically the group slowly falls apart.

Case 7: People who take one or two bites and then offer the dosa to others: These guys care about friends and friendship but they take their time to get into the group. They take their time in making friends and they typically are very committed once into the friendship. These guys like to always be in the side lines and typically do not jump into anything in life. They always take their time to analyze the situation and then make a decision. These guys take the better safe than sorry approach.

Case 8: People who wait for others to make the offer first: Typical people I must say. They are unsure about everything. Even if they wanted to offer, they will wait till the other person offers the food first. If the other person is silent, so are these people. They are the followers. They do terrific idea, they will pitch it to someone else and get their advice before proceeding. Sadly, most of the elderly world like these types of people.

Case 9: People who offer dosa only when they cannot finish it on their own: You all may be familiar with these kinds of people. People who are very generous only when all their needs are fulfilled. These folks are selfish but at the same time not misers or greedy. They just want to satisfy themselves before they give it to the world. They typically do not stuff themselves nor do they tend to starve. They are very good people who would give you the best of advices in life. They would make sure that you are not sad following their advice.

Case 10: People who offer the whole dosa and eat from others plates: These folks are other extreme. They know what they want, they get what they want but they cannot enjoy what they want. Instead they tend to settle for other things in life which satisfies the needs but does not satisfy the person completely. These guys are termed as born losers cause even when they have the thing they wanted, they can't stop others from stealing it from them.

So next time you sit with a person eating a masala dosa, look closely and see if he falls into one of the above categories. You may be surprised as how much it reveals about the person*

Enjoy eating Masala Dosa
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The Four Biggest Reasons for Generational Conflict in Teams
8:32 AM Monday February 16, 2009

Today most of us work closely with colleagues that span at least three, if not four generations. The possibility that we'll misunderstand another team member's behavior is high. It's easy to form a hasty and incorrect impression of someone from another generation.

While inter-generational misunderstandings can occur in a variety of situations, for teams, I find generational conflict unusually centers around four essential team activities:

•Choosing where and when to work
•Communicating among team members
•Getting together
•Finding information or learning new things

Choosing where and when to work. Listen to the language: many older colleagues speak of "going to work." Members of older generations often view work as a place - a location you go to at a specified time, say from 8:30 am to 5 pm. This synchronicity stems from a time when the nature of most work required that workers to be present together, for example, to run a manufacturing assembly line. Over time, of course, the nature of work in most sectors of the economy has changed; today most tasks do not require synchronous activities, yet many in older generations -- including many senior executives -- continue to expect synchronous behavior.

Younger workers, in contrast, tend to view work as something you do -- anywhere, any time. They have grown up in an asynchronous world -- filled, for example, with digital TV recorders that allowed them to watch any show at any time. Many Gen Y's consider the rigidity of set work hours an anachronism from another era.

It's easy for team members to misinterpret each other's behaviors around time and place. Is someone who arrives at 9:30 necessarily working less hard than other team members who are there at 8:30? Is it okay for some members to work from alternate locations? Is adherence to time and place norms important for the team to accomplish its task? Is it viewed by some as an important sign of team commitment?

Communicating among team members. No surprise that many Gen Y's and X'ers are comfortable using electronic communication. They text (or Yammer or Twitter) or post to various social networking sites much more frequently than most older colleagues do.

The crux of most technology-based team misunderstandings is not the technology per se - it is how team members interpret each others' intentions based on communication approaches. Younger members are accustomed to rapid responses from peers; they are likely to feel frustrated and, at times, rejected if they don't hear from older colleagues for a day or so. Team members from older generations may not only be uncomfortable with digital communication, they may even feel offended by a lack of face-to-face or at least voice-to-voice interaction, or left out of the loop.

Getting together. Boomers and X'ers are planners and schedulers; Gen Y's are coordinators. When faced with a need to meet, Gen Y's are likely to ascertain each other's immediate coordinates, and then home in on each other. Older colleagues would almost certainly prefer to rely on pre-planned schedules -- and may be very annoyed by younger team members' seemingly seat-of-the-pants approach. To Y's, the extent of scheduling that goes on in most workplaces today seems stultifying and inefficient.

Finding information or learning new things. Boomers and Traditionalists are linear learners -- most are inclined to attend training classes, read manuals, and absorb the requisite information before beginning the task at hand. Gen Y's are largely "on demand" learners -- they figure things out as they go, reaching out to personal contacts with relevant expertise for information or referrals, as needed. Y's are likely to be bored and turned off by a project that begins with a lengthy training phase. X'ers and Boomers may be annoyed by Y's' frequent questions and requests for input.

As you work with colleagues from other generations, your first priority should be to avoid forming quick negative conclusions. Bring the team members' diverse perspectives out in the open -- help everyone on the team understand the multiple points of view -- and legitimize each person's view in the eyes of the team.

Decide together which norms will work best for your team -- for example, how flexible you are about time and place, how you'll communicate different types of information, how scheduled you need to be, and so on -- based on collective preferences and the work you need to accomplish.

And, so we all can learn more, I hope you'll share your multigenerational team experiences. What issues do you face in working together well? How have you addressed them?
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Shwetha - The Artist

Shwetha, my cousin brother Ganesh's daughter. My niece is very good at painting. She had conducted a Painting Exhibition during the last week of December 2008. I visited the exhibition on the last day. It was really wonderful. Little Fingers Big Wonders. Mr. Sivakumar (Tamil Film Actor), Mrs. Anuradha Ramanan and other great people were there for inauguration. I will try to upload the photos and other stuffs here. If any one interested in these paintings you can get in touch with me on krsuresh70@gmail.com or with her father sgmahadevan@gmail.com.

Visit http://shwetharainbow.blogspot.com

Swami Pramarthananda

Swami Paramarthananda is the disciple of Swami Dayananda Saraswathi who is the disciple of Swami Tapovan Maharaj.

Lot of of Swamiji's lectures are available on the internet. Some of them I have tried to put some of them here...

Bhagavath Geetha Introduction and Dhyana Sloka
File name: 01 INTRODUCTION.mp3
Download link: http://www.mediafire.com/file/fvu2zwbfjr2
File name: 02 DHYANASLOKAS.mp3
Download link: http://www.mediafire.com/file/dux8rinaisa
File name: 03 DHYANASLOKAS.mp3
Download link: http://www.mediafire.com/file/inzokmozzww
------------------------ End of Intro ---------------------------

Bhagavath Geetha Chapter 01
File name: 01 CHAPTER-1,VERSES-1TO 3.mp3
Download link: http://www.mediafire.com/file/q2hiqgv6id4
File name: 02 CHAPTER-1,VERSES-4 TO 13.mp3
Download link: http://www.mediafire.com/file/poofrwmypg8
File name: 03 CHAPTER-1,VERSES-14 TO 23.mp3
Download link: http://www.mediafire.com/file/rtmtwjxnpvn
File name: 04 CHAPTER-1,VERSES-24 TO 30.mp3
Download link: http://www.mediafire.com/file/nxrwdlvlrjo
File name: 05 CHAPTER-1,VERSES-30 TO 38.mp3
Download link: http://www.mediafire.com/file/0ezsozohat4
File name: 06 CHAPTER-1,VERSES-38 TO 41.mp3
Download link: http://www.mediafire.com/file/eawcg87kvzz
File name: 07 CHAPTER- 1,VERSES - 42 To 47.mp3
Download link: http://www.mediafire.com/file/f6qjipof0rs
File name: 08 CHAPTER- 1,SUMMARY.mp3
Download link: http://www.mediafire.com/file/ea7rekopxoq
------------------------ End of Chapter 01 ------------------------

Bhagavath Geetha Chapter 2
File name: 01 CHAPTER -- 2,VERSES - 01 To 05.mp3
Download link: http://www.mediafire.com/file/b4nckcen2zn
File name: 02 CHAPTER -- 2,VERSES - 05 To 10.mp3
Download link: http://www.mediafire.com/file/awiutttri1f
File name: 03 CHAPTER -- 2,VERSES - 11 , 12.mp3
Download link: http://www.mediafire.com/file/aqbsfdelsrv
File name: 04 CHAPTER -- 2,VERSES - 12 To 15.mp3
Download link: http://www.mediafire.com/file/4hpmj3dy0w5
File name: 05 CHAPTER -- 2,VERSES - 15 To 17.mp3
Download link: http://www.mediafire.com/file/xopxy9hpn9g
File name: 06 CHAPTER -- 2, VERSES - 18 To 20.mp3
Download link: http://www.mediafire.com/file/udnbyjt7niu
File name: 07 CHAPTER -- 2, VERSES - 21 To 25.mp3
Download link: http://www.mediafire.com/file/tjgsfdwhkki
File name: 08 CHAPTER-2,VERSES-26 TO 29.mp3
Download link: http://www.mediafire.com/file/kiefloopo2i
File name: 09 CHAPTER-2,VERSES-29 TO 31.mp3
Download link: http://www.mediafire.com/file/ywz1qvpqzlm
File name: 10 CHAPTER-2,VERSES-31 TO 38 .mp3
Download link: http://www.mediafire.com/file/wzcdedswz2m
File name: 11 CHAPTER-2,VERSES-38 TO 41.mp3
Download link: http://www.mediafire.com/file/gmqcti3ytj2
File name: 12 CHAPTER-2,VERSES-41 TO 45.mp3
Download link: http://www.mediafire.com/file/l2w9lzjiyhu
File name: 13 CHAPTER-2,VERSES-45 TO 47.mp3
Download link: http://www.mediafire.com/file/o5xwhw5yvzm
File name: 14 CHAPTER-2,VERSES-47 TO 50 .mp3
Download link: http://www.mediafire.com/file/gadmmhbpa5m
File name: 15 CHAPTER-2,VERSES- 50 TO 53.mp3
Download link: http://www.mediafire.com/file/rt1edrp1mtf
File name: 16 CHAPTER-2,VERSES-54,55.mp3
Download link: http://www.mediafire.com/file/b6vqkiq36dp
File name: 17 CHAPTER -- 2 , VERSES -- 55 , 56.mp3
Download link: http://www.mediafire.com/file/gijryyosejx
File name: 18 CHAPTER -- 2 , VERSES -- 56 , 57 .mp3
Download link: http://www.mediafire.com/file/cfcnmkogg7h
File name: 19 CHAPTER -- 2 , VERSES -- 58 To 60 .mp3
Download link: http://www.mediafire.com/file/aueagez1amw
File name: 20 CHAPTER -- 2 , VERSES -- 60 To 64.mp3
Download link: http://www.mediafire.com/file/fyiiey9wnh0
File name: 21 CHAPTER -- 2 , VERSES -- 64 To 68.mp3
Download link: http://www.mediafire.com/file/adwtzkszpea
File name: 22 CHAPTER -- 2 , VERSES -- 69 To 72.mp3
Download link: http://www.mediafire.com/file/mws8ss48kmx
File name: 23 CHAPTER -- 2 , SUMMARY.mp3
Download link: http://www.mediafire.com/file/upw1n4ymxf5
------------------------ End of Chapter 02 ------------------------

Aham Brahmasmi

Aham Brahmasmi. To know the "I". I am trying to practice on reminding myself about "I". For this I am practicing daily by telling to myself that, "I" and this body are different. I am not sure whether by telling to myself daily and every minute will give me the "I" realisation. Let me try.

Enge Brahmanan?

Enge Brahmanan? This is a new serial being telecast / aired on Jaya TV - Monday to Friday - 8.00 pm to 8.30 pm IST from 2nd February 2009. I was not watching this serial from the begining. One day during 3rd week of February, my sister was telling me about this serial and from that day evening I started watching this teleserial. It is quite interesting the way it is being presented. There is a disucssion between 'CHO' Ramaswamy and another person (name not known) discussing about this serial watching the DVD of the serial. Each and every moment is being discussed by these two people. 'CHO' Ramaswamy clears the doubts raised by the other person.

02.03.2009 - I didnt watch today. I went for a Birthday Party of my Son's friend. So I didnt know what happend.


03.03.2009 - Today I watched. Ashok has come back to home. And while going out he is being watched by the security agency appointed by his father. But to their surprise and car zips in and takes away Ashok. At this point CHO and another person were discussing why this happend? CHO tells it is not that some one has kidnapped. If he would have been kidnapped the person who kidnaps him will go mad listening to the lectures from Ashok. And after this Ashok seeks permission from his mother to take Sanyasa. His mother scolds him. Others are consoling her.


04.03.2009 - Todays part was not that interesting. Neelakanta Iyer was planning to go to temple. His wife and daughter were happy that he is going to temple for prayer. But he says he is going to temple for some verification to give some loan to temple. Nathan's home maid is giving some turn to the story saying that the accountant who came to Nathan's home is her husband. This story about that maid is being narrated to Nathan by his wife on bed. To this state of that mami's husband kept her away from him is being explanined by CHO. This portion is not much convincing to me. There are many things important to be discussed than discussing about how many girls can be married by a boy and when a man can push off his wife from his life and for what reasons. And to support this CHO is giving reference to Artha Sasthra. He is trying to convey us that all of these things were considered in Artha Sasthra. Todays part is not much convincing to me.

Balu Mahendra

Director - Who read well

List of the movies
1977 - Kokila
1979 - Azhiyadha Kolangal
1980 - Moodupani
1982 - Olangal (Malayalam)
1982 - Nireekshana (Telugu)
1983 - Moondram Pirai
1983 - Sadma (Hindi)
- Un Kannil Neer Vazhinthaal
1984 - Neengal Kettavai
1985 - Yathra (Malayalam)
1987 - Rettai Vaal Kuruvi
1989 - Sandhya Raagam
1992 - Vanna Vanna Pookal
1993 - Marupadiyum
1994 - May Madham
1995 - Sathi Leelavathi
1996 - Aur Ek Prem Kahani
2003 - Julie Ganapathi
2005 - Adhu Oru Kana Kaalam
2008 - Anal Katru (Filming)

Kailash Manasarovar Yatra

KAILASH MANSAROVAR TREK FROM INDIA
Mount Meru: Centre Of The World By Shailesh Pathak
It’s freezing cold as you gaze upon the summit on fire. And marvel as your heart’s desire comes true. Manasarovar and Mt Kailash, the holiest lake and moun­tain in the world, shimmer in front of you. The entire Manasarovar-Mt Kailash region is a living shrine and one of the greatest and hardest of all earthly pilgrimages.

Long before modern nation-states came into being, the most devoted and resolute pilgrims aspired to complete this unpar­al­leled pilgrimage, the path to moksha. Then, chances were that the yatra would be one-way — if the arduous moun­tain trek and cold didn’t get you, predatory robber gangs in Tibet would. If the pilgrim didn’t return after a two-year period, he was presumed to have ascended to Vaikunth, the ultimate destination, fulfilling his holy journey.

Things are much easier now. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Govern­ment of India, organises the Kailash Mana­sarovar Yatra, a 26-day round-trip from Delhi, on the age-old route, between June and September each year. Accomplished with excellent logistic support and in rea­sonable comfort, it is a reliable, econom­ical, safe and beautiful way of doing the yatra.

This is true for several reasons. Instead of being at the mercy of possibly unscrupu­­lous tour operators, the yatri is feted by the Government of India and its agencies. The yatra costs less than what tour operators in India and Nepal demand. And there is trans­parency in what is offered and provided. Selection is based on a two-level medical check-up.

The journey to Tibet ensures gradual acclimatisation, a critical factor. The route is over the Indian Himalaya up to the Lipu Lekh Pass on the Indo-Tibet border. Even 60-year-olds in our group accomplished this climb. The yatra offers incredible mountain vistas and other sacred sites such as the magnificent Om Parvat, Bhimtal, Almora, Jageshwar and Pataal Bhuvaneshwar, even as the holy mountain of Nanda Devi blesses the yatri all the way to Dharchula. The return through India’s Deo Bhumi, the ancient Uttarakhand, is heavenly.

Under the aegis of the Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN), decent food and puc­ca accommodation is available on the Indian side, with proper toilets. Facil­ities, especially toilets, are primitive on the Chinese side, but yatris are not required to stay in tents anywhere along the way. The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) provides all support. Indeed, at the end of the yatra, all of us came away in awe of them.

A Liaison Officer (LO) is deputed for each batch of yatris. He is always a senior official of the government (IAS, IPS, Allied Services), and is also an experienced trekker. I was the Liaison Officer for the first batch of yatris in the MEA’s 2005 Kailash-Manasarovar Yatra. In addition, there are usually two doctors (as yatris) in every group, with a decent med­ical kit. The LO is provided with a satellite phone; contact is thus maintained through out the yatra, and during emergencies. Based on the daily status report filed by the LO, the KMVN website is updated so that loved ones back home can remain informed. At all camps, except during the six days of the parikramas, STD or ISD phones are available.

For any emergency on the Indian side, helicopter evacuation is arranged and indeed, this was required to be done for one yatri in 2005, who displayed symp­toms of acute Altitude Mountain Sickness (AMS). On the Tibetan side, since the LO is an official representative and has a white passport, it’s easier dealing with difficult Chinese authorities. There is continuation across batches. The injured and ill of an incoming batch are brought out by a returning batch. In 2004 and 2005, this happened to only a single yatri; all the others completed the yatra safely. The total expen­diture of the MEA on the 2005 Kailash Manasarovar Yatra was Rs 39 lakh.

Finally, with each and every detail organised, the yatri is free to focus on the most important journey of his or her life, in the company of fellow citizens from differ­ent parts of the country. While the more athletic members of a group trek through­out, there are others who take a pony all the way. The male-female ratio is usually 60-40. The youngest yatri in our batch was 24, and the oldest 62. Even if you are middle-aged, and have seen mountains mostly in pictures, you are the ideal candi­date for this yatra. It is not a test of physical strength or endurance, though it helps to have a sound constitution. What is more necessary is heartfelt devotion, mental resolve and a burning desire to complete the parikramas. If this applies to you, go for it!

On your return, most of your friends and acquaintances will expect a big puja and feast, though there will be the unin­formed and naïve who will ask, “And how was Amarnath?” Your weight would be down by a minimum of five kilos, and improvements in your cardiovascular sys­tem will extend your life expectancy by several years.

Remember, it’s not just the destination, but also the yatra itself that is part of this incredible experience. Thousands have trod on this path before you, in less opportune circumstances. The Kailash Manasarovar Yatra becomes the high point of your life — things change for the better on their own when you return, spiritually uplifted and physically in better shape.

LEGENDS, MYTHOLOGY AND HISTORY
Kailash predates almost all religious pilgrimages in India. While Lord Shiva visits Varanasi, his eternal abode is always Kailash, where he dwells with his consort Parvati. For Hindus, Kailash is the physical manifestation of the revered Mount Meru, the centre of the world. In the Bhagvad Gita, Lord Krishna says, “Among the mountains, I am Meru.” As the merudanda, it is the spinal cord, the axis mundi that holds the world together. The Vishnu Purana (approx 200 BCE) describes how the world is made up of seven continents ringed by seven oceans — “The central continent has Meru at its core, bounded by three mountain ranges to the north and three to the south. One of these ranges is the Himalayan barrier, interposed between Meru and ‘Bharatha’, the Indian subconti­nent. Meru itself stands eighty-four thou­sand leagues high, with four faces of crystal, ruby, gold and lapis lazuli. Ganga falls from the heavens on Meru’s summit, circles the mountain and then divides into four mighty rivers which flow to the four quarters of the earth.” Today we know that the Kailash Manasarovar region indeed gives rise to four great rivers: Brahmaputra, Indus, Sutlej and Karnali.

Lake Manasarovar was believed to have been created by Brahma. The Puranas have it that 12 pre-Vedic rishis, sons of Brahma, performed austerities for 12 years near Kailash and had dar­­­shan of Shiva and Parvati. They sup­plicated Brahma for water for bathing, upon which he created the huge lake. Pil­grims believe that in the dead of night, divine beings descend from the heavens to have a holy dip in the Manasarovar. A single dip washes away the sins of a lifetime and one is born again, free of any wrong­doing.

Mt Kailash stands tall, at 22,027 ft. The four faces of the holy mountain are distinctive. An aerial photograph of Kai­lash bears an uncanny resemblance to the Shivaling we worship. Deep clefts on either side isolate it from the rest of the Kailash Range, making it one of the few mountains on earth where a parikrama (kora in Tibetan) is possible. It is said that after its parikrama, one is freed from the cycle of birth, death and rebirth. After 21 pari­kramas of the traditional route, one becomes eligible to undertake the inner pari­krama or the middle circuit, which runs high across the four faces of the mountain.

The highest freshwater lake in the world, Gauri Kund, at 18,536 ft, lies just after Dolma La, the highest point in the Kailash Parikrama. This was the spot where Parvati came for her bath when the gods prayed to her for protection. Frozen for over half the year, Gauri Kund’s waters are credited with great powers of fertility for women.

Rakshas Tal is considered inauspicious by Hindus and Buddhists. There are no mon­as­teries around its 115-km peri­meter, as opposed to several along the 88-km circumference of Manasarovar. Para­dox­ically, Rakshas Tal receives the waters flowing down from Kailash, while Mana­sarovar is fed by the streams coming down Gurla Mandhata. Rakshas Tal is associated with Ravana; the belief is that he was trying to carry off Mt Kailash to Lanka. Perturbed, the gods pleaded to Ganesh. Divine intervention led to Ravana asking Ganesh to hold the mountain while the former relieved himself. This task took much longer than expected, and Rakshas Tal was born.

It is held that earlier Manasarovar and Rakshas Tal were one body of water with an island in the middle. Now they are separated by a narrow isthmus of low hills, with only a thin, mostly dry channel called Ganga Chu connecting them.

For Jains, Kailash is the Ashtapada, where Rishabhanatha, the first Tirth­ankara, achieved enlightenment. Buddhists believe that the legendary Lord Demchog (com­plete with trident and damaru) dwells on Kang Rimpoche (Kailash) with his scarlet consort Dorje Phangmo. Milarepa, the Buddhist spiritual leader, went to Kailash in 1093; he is credited with creating the supreme Tibetan mantra ‘Om Mani Padme Hum’. The ancient Tibetan shaman­istic faith, Bon-Po, holds the mountain holy and says their gods moved Tise, the ‘nine-storey swastika mountain’ from north-east Tibet to its present location. The Bon-Po do the kora counter-clockwise, all others do the pari­krama clockwise. Thus, four religious belief systems — Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Bon-Po — hold the mountain holy.

Indians have been making the holy pilgrimage since time immemorial; both Kailash and Manasarovar find mention in the Skanda Purana, Vishnu Purana, Rama­yana and Mahabharata. But till 1800, one of the greatest mysteries for cartogra­phers was “the ancient and power­ful belief in Asia that somewhere between India and China, there stood a sacred mountain, an Asian Olympus of cosmic proportions. This mountain was said to be the navel of the earth and the axis of the universe and from its summit flowed a mighty river that fell into a lake, and then divided to form four of the great rivers of Asia. It was the holiest of all mountains, revered by many millions of Hindus, Buddhists and Jains as the home of their gods. In metaphysical form, it was called Meru; in its earthly manifesta­tion it was Kailas, or Kang Rimpoche (Precious Jewel of Snow), an isolated snow-peak on the Tibetan plateau. For more than 2,000 years, it has been the lodestone — the all but unattainable goal — that draws towards itself all the devotional cults that seek the attainment of bliss through self-sacrifice, austerity and penance,” says Charles Allen in A Mountain in Tibet.

The earliest European record dates to 1715, from an Italian Jesuit called Ippolito Desideri, who passed Kailash on the way to Lhasa. John Rennell, the ‘Father of Indian Geography’, in his 1782 map of Hindu­stan, followed the Hindu belief that the Ganga had its fountainhead beyond the Himalaya at the sacred Manasarovar Lake, that the Ganga flowed south till the “great chain of mount Himmaleh” and forced its way through a trans-Himalayan tunnel. It was only in 1812 when Hyder Jung Hearsey and Dr William Moorcroft crossed over the Niti Pass and surveyed the Mana­sarovar area that this geographical inaccu­racy was corrected. In 1862, to survey Tibet surreptitiously, the Survey of India used the services of the Bhotia Pundits of Johar Valley’s Milam Village; Nain Singh Rawat (code named Chief Pundit or No. 1) and Kishen Singh (Krishna, or AK) being the most famous. Sven Hedin, the Swedish explorer who was responsible for filling in the gaps in the map of Tibet, described the Kailash region as “a bare rocky countryside out of which the summit of a snow-clad mountain rose up like a glittering pyramid of silver”. In 1907, he sounded the deepest part of Manasarovar at 269 ft.

Salim Ali, on an ornithological pilgrim­age, crossed the Lipu Lekh Pass on June 8, 1945, walking from Almora, the roadhead then. In his words, “The trail takes a north-easterly direction from Almora and passes through picturesque Himalayan scenery with superb views from various places along the route of Nanda Devi, Nanda Kot and the Panch Chuli peaks.”

The mountains in Tibet are chiefly com­posed of conglomerates — large quanti­ties of rounded water-worn shingle cement­ed together with clay through age and pres­sure. All the way from Taklakot to Mana­sarovar, the country is flat stony desert. In geological terms, Kailash stands alone, the world’s largest deposit of tertiary conglomerate.

THE YATRA
If you are the type who wants to do a ‘Quick Kailash’ or ‘heli-Kailash’, please do not read what follows. This yatra is not for someone who is too busy for Shiva. You may like to fly to Moscow, thence to Hong Kong, and back to Delhi and lo, the parikrama is done!

One meets a variety of people on the yatra: friendly mandarins in the MEA, warm hosts from KMVN, ITBP personnel who are pillars of strength, children from isolated mountain villages who greeted us with the mantra that every yatri lives by: ‘Om Namah Shivaya’, grim-faced Chinese immigration officials, and Tibetan guides who know a lot of Hindi. But above all, one becomes part of a family that travels together for nearly a month. In our group of 23 yatris, we had pilgrims speaking all four South Indian languages, along with Ben­gali, Gujarati, Marathi, Punjabi, Bhoj­puri and Marwari, besides Hindi. If you haven’t left your ego behind, Kailashpati Maha­dev will make sure that this happens during the yatra. High altitudes are difficult for almost everyone. Ensure that you respect the mountains and prepare with patience. Be prepared too to remain away from modern luxuries for the duration of the yatra. You will find few flush toilets in Tibet. This is a tough journey that will demand all your inner reserves. Having said that, I did not encounter a single yatri who complained or appeared defeated or overwhelmed by what many of them were experiencing for the first time in their lives.

Four days before the yatra
We are gathered in Delhi, with all yatris having received telegrams, and the detailed MEA booklet, which reach the yatris about three weeks before they assemble in Delhi. Medical tests are conducted at Batra Hos­pital. The next day ITBP doctors go over our reports and declare almost all aspirants fit. At least two yatris are doctors, and we are happy. There is a very useful briefing on the entire yatra. We are over­joyed at the love and affection with which some NGOs gift us medical kits and cloth­ing, and provisions for the entire group. Day zero brings a send off from the Chief Minister, Government of Delhi, where all of us get a special rucksack and raincoat, with lots of affection. We are the first group in the silver jubilee year of the yatra. All groups get such send-offs, only the dignitaries change.

Day 1: Delhi to Bhimtal
We journey by AC bus or train to Kathgod­am (1,690 ft/ 240 km/ 8 hrs north-east), where we change to smaller buses to negoti­ate the hill curves. Already, the group is a cohesive whole and volunteers emerge to handle all luggage, take care of weaker yat­ris, keep everyone in high spirits, or educate the others on the religious aspects of the yatra. The whole group listens to bhajans together; individuals don’t shut themselves off with iPods. We spend the first night in the excellent KMVN Tourist Rest House at Bhimtal (4,500 ft/ 40 km/ 1 hr north of Kathgodam). I start members of our group on muscle exercises for the trail ahead.

Day 2: Bhimtal to Dharchula
A long drive north through the verdant Himalaya and we stop for lunch at the KMVN Tourist Rest House in Chaukori, located on a spur among tea estates. We have a glorious view of Nanda Devi, said to be Parvati to Kailash’s Shiva. At 25,646 ft, Nanda Devi is higher than Mt Kailash (22,027 ft). We travel 3 hrs to Mirthi, where the ITBP Camp Commandant briefs the yatris on the route ahead. We reach Dharchula (2,300 ft/ 313 km/ 14 hrs east-north-east of Bhimtal) on our side of the border. The KMVN Tourist Rest House is comfortable, and we sleep well after the long journey. Dharchula is not very high, and some yatris even feel warm. On the other side of the Kali River, thundering away through the night, lies Nepal’s Dhar­chula, a district headquarters town. It’s accessed easily by a small bridge. We see a just-married bride from the Indian Dhar­chula being taken with pomp and ceremony by her groom and his party across to the Nepalese side. Shop for cheap warm clothing there, in case anything has been missed out.

Day 3: Dharchula to Gala
The waterproof packing has been done, weighed, and handed over to the luggage contractor @ 25 kg per yatri. Usually, most yatris carry less items, and the total load this time, even after including common provisions, is well within the limit. After a formal send off that features a beautiful Kumaoni dance, Uttaranchal’s Tourism Minister flags off our bus. We head for the roadhead Mangti (4,325 ft/ 43 km/ 3 hrs north-east), where there is a melee to organise ponies and porters.

The trail north-east to Gala (8,005 ft/ 3 km/ 2-3 hrs), the first camp, is beautiful. There are places en route where trekkers appreciate the value of their hard condi­tion­ing back home. Pony riders get over their initial trepidation. Yatris, now coalesc­ing into a collective, sing bhajans and share experiences. Members of the luggage, finance and troubleshooting committees are doing quite well.

Day 4: Gala to Budhi
A long day that begins with a descent of 4,444 steps. To reach Budhi (8,900 ft/ 18 km/ 11 hrs north-east of Mangti), we have both climbed and descended in a single day. We stop for lunch at Lakhanpur, on the banks of the Kali River, our companion for the next six days. The river also forms the border with Nepal. The trail passes through superbly scenic countryside. The trees are changing as the altitude increases. The first snow peaks have appeared. They look divine. The friendly KMVN staff at the huts in Budhi welcome us with a big smile, and great food.

Day 5: Budhi to Gunji
We start on the steepest climb in the yatra, the Chhialekh ki Chadhai (the climb of Chhialekh), a tall hill next to Budhi. Even hardened trekkers would do well to get onto their ponies and simply enjoy the view on this long day. We reach the meadow above Chhialekh in 11/2-2 hrs, having climbed 1,510 ft over the 2-km trail north of Budhi. A banner we see every day on the trail, all the way to the border, adds to our joy. ‘Welcome, Kailash Manasarovar Yatris, from ITBP’. The hot tea and pakoras at the ITBP Command Post are heavenly. There­after, it is a flat walk north-east to Garb­yang, over meadows which would put a pastoral Swiss country­side to shame. The Annapurna Peak is to the right. Garbyang is the ‘sink­ing village’, a geolog­ically blight­ed ground with weak shale moorings; houses that were built high have now slid down to the level of the river. Here, another post of ITBP welcomes us and provides us with an armed escort. We can see the adjoin­ing village of Nepal, said to be under Maoist control. ITBP’s superior firepower adds to our sense of safety.

As we walk along the Kali Valley, we espy Gunji (10,500 ft/ 20 km/ 10 hrs from Budhi). Even though we have to walk down the bridge, cross over into Gunji Village, and then double back quite some distance, as long as we can see it, it doesn’t look too far away. At Gunji, ITBP personnel serve us hot tea and snacks. There is a round of medical check-ups at the ITBP Command Hospital here. ITBP doctors put us at ease, and unless there is serious threat to life, every yatri goes on. We all do. A game of cricket with the ITBP jawans, and rounds of antakshri (yatris vs porters) are huge fun. The two evenings are reserved for bhajans at the ITBP temple here. And the bonus: most yatris have their first hot water bath after starting from Dharchula.

Day 6: At Gunji
We remain at Gunji to acclimatise. I give horse-riding lessons to the entire group here; our oldest yatri confides later that his pony and he got along much better after that. A separate trail from Gunji leads to Chhota Kailash, also called Adi Kailash. Another journey, another time.

Day 7: Gunji to Kalapani
This is perhaps the most beautiful day of the journey. Fully rested, we start for Kalapani (11,811 ft/ 9 km/ 6 hrs east). The level walk is along the Kali River, rich with birch, pine, bhojpatra and juniper trees. Just before Kalapani, hot springs invite the enthusiastic. At Kalapani, a magnificent temple welcomes yatris to the source of the Kali River. Vyas Gufa, high above us, is believed to be the place where Sage Ved Vyas wrote the Mahabharata.

Day 8: Kalapani to Navidhang
At Navidhang (13,080 ft/ 9 km/ 6 hrs north-east of Kalapani) we move above the tree line. The sky is clear and we get an amazing view of the beyond-words Om Parvat, where snow falls in the shape of ‘Om’. There is a review of weather condi­tions on the morrow, with the ITBP. We sleep early, praying to Kailashpati to bless us with good weather.

Day 9: Navidhang to Taklakot via Lipu Lekh Pass
Crossing the Lipu Lekh Pass (17,828 ft/ 9 km/ 4 hrs north from Navidhang) into Tibet is the toughest part yet for the yatris. This must be done before 9 am for strong winds and inclement weather conditions make the trek too risky after that. We leave Navidhang at 3 am, with a full ITBP escort. We wear all the layers of clothing we possess. We are well-acclimatised by now, so we ascend gradually. Ponies come in most handy. At long last, we clear Lipu at 7 am, India time (9.30 am, Chinese time). CA Sherring writes in Western Tibet and the British Borderland on the view of the Gurla Mandhata Mountain from Lipu Lekh Pass, “...the impression on the beholder is that the scene before him is truly one of nature’s grandest handiworks. There are no trees or verdure to relieve the severity and the almost total absence of animal life adds to the feeling of intense desolation prevailing everywhere.”

A motley crew of Tibetan porters awaits us at the top of the pass. We exchange tashi delegs (hellos) and thu-je-ches (thank yous). Indian porters leave us now and our entire luggage, including the contractor’s supplies, is transferred to the Tibetan porters. Guides from the Tibetan travel agency engaged by KMVN receive us here, and we cross over into Tibet. The farewell to the Indian contingent, especially the ITBP personnel, is emotional. We descend 100-200 ft to escape the strong, icy winds and wait for the immigration formalities to be completed. We have a valid group visa to enter China.

The descent underlines the importance of shoes with a good grip. One physically fit yatri keeps slipping in his sneakers, and needs support from both sides. An excellent bus awaits us. A welcome drink (a cold can of Pepsi, would you believe), and a khatta, a white scarf that honours us, are gratefully received before we sink into our luxurious seats, resting our tired limbs. The day’s trek is over.

We drive 22 km north through moon­scape to reach Taklakot (13,123 ft), which is roughly the same altitude as Navidhang, our previous night’s halt. But it appears to be on the plains. Such is the topography of the great Tibetan plateau. Purang Guest House on Main Street is our home. We also have the luxury of a hot shower.

Day 10: At Taklakot
We spend the day in Taklakot while logistics are arranged for the parikramas. We purchase some Chinese currency and fresh vegetables. Do walk to the ends of Main Street: on one side is an excellent (and clean) vegetable market, next to VCD rental shops that have the latest Bolly­wood hits. We used the Internet cafés and ISD facilities to get in touch with folks back home. There are dry cleaners also. Mobile networks start working in Taklakot, and there is coverage over most of the route to follow.

It’s best to shop for keepsakes and souvenirs at Taklakot, but on the way back after the parikramas. The high street near the guest house looks glitzy, but the best bargains in clothes, toys and Tibetan handicrafts are to be had in the clean Nepali Mandi, a longish walk west on the road by the River Karnali. In Darchen, vendors will find you even before you get off the bus. Bargaining is very much expected everywhere

Day 11: Taklakot to Lake Manasarovar
Brilliantly twinkling stars gaze down upon us as we embark on our journey for the day in an AC bus. It is 6 am. The all-weather road crosses the Gurla Pass (16,125 ft). We look behind to see a glorious skyline of snow peaks. On our right is Gurla Mandhata (25,354 ft), almost close enough to touch. And then, we wait with bated breath. A glimpse of Mt Kailash and a resounding cry of ‘Om Namah Shivay’ exults through the bus. The vehicle goes down to the banks of the Rakshas Tal (14,815 ft/ 70 km/ 4 hrs north of Taklakot) and stops. We disembark, humbled by the wonder of where we are.

We just cannot stop feasting our eyes on the pyramid of snow, rising high above its surroundings, shaped like a Shivaling. Mount Kailash. Everybody is quiet now, as the bus skirts the Rakshas Tal and crosses over to Manasarovar. The scenery is indescribably beautiful. I counted six separate colours in the immense span of the sparkling waters of the holy lake. At Qihu (or Chiu) Gompa, we get down to walk by the shore of Lake Mana­sarovar (14,862 ft/ 98 km/ 5 hrs north of Taklakot) for the first time. Our feet begin to sink in the swampy bog.

The group is now split into two groups, since only 20-25 pilgrims can be lodged at most places on the parikrama. One has to complete the Kailash Parikrama first, and then do the Manasarovar Parikrama. The holy lake has a motorable road all around it. Hore (about 40 km/ 2 hrs east of Qihu), a camp on the east shore of Manasarovar, is too far away from the water: it’s worth a lunch break at the most. It’s better to cross Hore and go straight to Qugu (85 km/ 4 hrs without factoring in a lunch break), on the south shore, right next to the lake, where the rooms are fairly good.

If you have the time, stop at the Trugo Monastery between Hore and Qugu just to soak in the ambience. Qugu too has a monastery, and a lovely beach, where we wade into the water without any risk.

Day 12: At Qugu, Manasarovar
This is one of the most satisfying days of the yatra. We wake up to see the most wonderful view of Kailash, looming across the shimmering lake. We are well acclimatised as we prepare for a ritual dip in Manasarovar. We do this early, before the winds take over. Remember, faith wins over the cold. This is the best time to gather holy water from the lake to take home as prasad. Immediately after dressing, we head for the havan at a designated platform next to the monastery, at a fair distance from the lake. Given good weather, this is an unforget­table experience. As an ecologically aware person, I can confidently say that these activities do not damage the immense lake or its habitat in any way. Fully satiated spiritually, we now have breakfast and then explore the monastery next door. Later that night, the more enthusiastic among us stir out in the chill, beneath a canopy of brilliant stars, to see what is believed to be the hour of gods and goddesses descending to the holy lake for a bath. I awoke at 3.30 am and went around, but my devotion had not reckoned with the combined effect of biting cold and sleep.

Day 13: At Qugu, Manasarovar
We remain at Qugu and marvel at the changing moods of the holy lake during the day. Those interested bathe at the hot springs nearby (20 yuan).

Day 14: Manasarovar Parikrama — Qugu to Darchen
Later in the day, we transit to Darchen, further north (15,000 ft/ 57 km/3 hrs by bus/ 7 hrs if part trek and partly by bus), the base for the Kailash Parikrama. But first after breakfast at Qugu, some of us walk along the serene, winding shore, by the rhythmic waves of Manasarovar. Other yatris follow in the bus with packed lunch (aloo paranthas). We complete the Mansarovar Parikrama on foot (15 km/ 5 hrs). This is a highly recommended experience. When we tire, we wait for the bus. We then travel (42 km/ 2 hrs) across the Barkha Plain, getting closer to Kailash. The sacred mountain has been watching over us throughout the Mana­sarovar Parikrama. We had not realised how well-acclimatised we were till we met the groups from Kathmandu at Darchen — many among them seem to be under the weather. From now on, our group and those who have arrived from Kathmandu/ Lhasa, share the same route for the parikrama. We find comfortable rooms at Darchen and we call home to share our joy.

Day 15: Kailash Parikrama — Darchen to Deraphuk
The Kailash Parikrama, literally the high point of the yatra, begins. We take a bus to Yama Dwar (5 km from Darchen), where the snow on Kailash shines in benediction. We walk through Yama Dwar to leave behind the fear of death. The bus takes us a little further, where the trail starts. Many of us hire ponies or yaks from here.

Opt for ponies instead of yaks for the Kailash Parikrama, irrespective of cost. The former are more comfortable and stable beasts. Do not pay the pony/ yak owner 100 per cent advance at Darchen. A maximum of 50 per cent upfront, with the balance payable after returning to Darchen is best. At Deraphuk, a nefarious practice is to claim bad weather at Dolma La, and return the horses or yaks back from Deraphuk instead of going on to complete the parikrama

The trail to Deraphuk (17,000 ft/ 14 km/ 5 hrs) is not very steep. The best view of the north face of Kailash is from here. After reaching Deraphuk, the more adventurous yatris climb up the stream to touch the base of the holy mountain. Be warned, this is a tough climb, so it is important to go early and return safely. The highest camp, Deraphuk, is buffeted by terrible winds.

It’s important to wear everything one has got, especially around the head. Please note that this is the camp at which some yatris may reconsider doing the full parikrama, and return to Darchen after spending the night. This is a perfectly valid alternative.

Day 16: Kailash Parikrama — Deraphuk to Dolma La to Zutulphuk
We wake up early to catch the first rays of the sun set the peak of Mt Kailash on fire. Nothing else is lit except Kailash. We preserve this memory more in our inner eye than in our cameras. This is also the toughest day of our yatra, when we cover 25 km in 15 hrs.

We cross a stream, climb our ponies or yaks, and stay on the trail till we come to Shiv Sthal. Tibetans make offerings, lie down and feign death here, to be reborn. I leave behind a few strands of hair.

We climb up a ridge and behold the highest point in the entire yatra, the Dolma La (18,602 ft), at a distance high above us. A multitude of prayer flags flutter in the cold winds. We wonder how we’ll ever get to the top. We walk to the base of the Dolma La, turn back and have a final darshan of the holy mountain. With Mahadeva on our mind, we ascend the pass slowly, with many stops. The air is rarefied, but even our well-acclimatised body needs all our mental will in order to make the climb. We are not able to use ponies or yaks. We stumble on to the Dolma La. If the weather holds good, yatri groups stop a while at the pass, which is quite wide. Buddhists perform obeisance to the Dolma deity with touching affection. A huge boulder at Dolma La is said to represent Tara Devi. Their combined blessings make the yatra doubly significant. I weep with joy here, partly for the fulfilment of my own yatra, but more because my entire yatri group has made it up to Dolma La without mishap.

The descent is not easy either. Immediately after Dolma La is Gauri Kund, where Parvati comes to bathe. All but the most courageous ask their porters to fetch water from the highest fresh water lake in the world. It is frozen when we visit. The taxing descent thereafter is on rough trails over scree and boulders. There are no horses or yaks to help. But in the exhilaration of having crossed the Dolma, most yatris traipse along. We clamber down to a valley, which is also the origin of the great Tsang Po or Brahmaputra. Two teashops (dhabas) serve us the best noodles and tea we have ever had. We hungrily get our body fluids back. Some yatris rest awhile before starting the 10-km trek along the river to Zutulphuk/ Zongzerbu (15,715 ft). Using a mount from here is advisable. If the group plans this day’s journey carefully, and is also lucky weather-wise, the Dolma La crossing is done before 11 am, the teashops are left behind by 3 pm, and Zutulphuk is reached before sunset. This is the longest day and hardest trek in the entire yatra.

Day 17: Zutulphuk to Darchen
This is almost like a holiday. We know that Darchen is just 4 hrs away, and the rest of the trail is over level ground. We take it easy in the morning. My best memory of this day is that of an excellent flute rendering of the Hamsadhwani Raga by a gentleman from Bangalore, while waiting for breakfast. At the conclusion of our parikrama, we greet Darchen like a long lost home, and tumble into our rooms and beds. We phone our dear ones again, and share our good fortune at having com­pleted the parikrama.

Day 18: At Darchen
Some yatris use this extra day to return to Mt Kailash for a view of the striations on the south side of the holy mountain, which are particularly sacred for the Jains. This is a day-trip in which you drive for about an hour on a road which goes right above Darchen, climbing zig-zag to a point beyond which you walk for about 3 hrs one-way. From here, the striations on the south side of Mt Kailash look close enough to touch.

Day 19: Darchen to Taklakot
Our return journey commences. We spend the night at Taklakot.

Day 20: Taklakot-Khojarnath-Taklakot
We make a day-trip to the monastery at Khojarnath (11,780 ft/ 25 km/ 1 hr). The beautiful idols here are marketed to Hindu pilgrims as those of Ram, Sita and Lakshman (and that will be 30 yuan please). But as Swami Pranavananda has confirmed, they are three Bodhisattvas. We return to Taklakot by lunch.

Day 21: Taklakot to Kalapani
The return over Lipu Lekh Pass seems easier this time. It is also an emotional moment. The next batch of yatris waits nervously to exchange places with us. Cries of ‘Om Namah Shivay’ interspersed with ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ rend the air as our ITBP friends and Indian porters, familiar faces all, greet us. We have a quick lunch in Navidhang and head for Kalapani, where ITBP treats us to a great dinner.

Day 22: Kalapani to Gunji
It’s breathtakingly scenic. We decide to take it easy and start late, at 9 am. But everyone wakes up at 5 am and we sing bhajans in our cottages till 8 am. We amble along to, and spend the night in, Gunji. Another great lunch hosted by the ITBP.

Day 23: Gunji to Budhi
We are back in Budhi. En route, we come face to face with the next batch of yatris and they are quite nonplussed by our confi­dence. For many of us, what seemed like an insurmountable obstacle and a very arduous journey now appears pretty easy in retrospect.

Day 24: Budhi to Dharchula
On the final day of our trail, we are both happy and sad. We now travel in comfortable buses but the high of the yatra is behind us. In the space of a few days, our lives have been transformed by a journey few Indians experience. Dhar­chula, where we stay for the night, looks like a metropolis.

Day 25: Dharchula to Jageshwar
We make a very worthwhile day-trip to Pataal Bhuvaneshwar (4,430 ft/ 160 km/ 8 hrs west). This is a huge underground cave full of stalactites and stalagmites, imbued with religious significance. We then travel through pine forests to Jageshwar (6,135 ft/ 103 km/ 4 hrs south-west from Pataal Bhuvaneshwar). Jageshwar is home to a spectacular group of temples. The KMVN Tourist Rest House here is really good.

Day 26: Jageshwar to Delhi
We take an AC bus back to Delhi, 467 km away, after switching buses at Kathgodam. Happily tired, most of us sleep. And wake up to the traffic of Delhi. We share the joy of completing the most arduous pilgrimage in the world. The worries of the journey are long forgotten. Every single yatri said the yatra was the fulfilment of their innermost desire. Without a doubt, it is a life-defining journey that brings the pilgrim much closer to Shiva himself. The most popular topic in our group, in regular touch even now, is ‘when can we go on the yatra again?’ Contact the writer at spathak@nic.in

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AboutKailash Mansarover YatraMapItinearyAppeal

About Kailash Mansarover

The Almighty - Holy Kailash
"All that is beautiful is sacred"

865 Kms from Delhi, stand Mount Kailas and Lake Mansarovar constituting one of the grandest of the Himalayan beauty spots. The perpetual snowclad peak of holy Kailas of hoary antiquity and celebrity, the spotless design of nature's art, of most bewitching and overpowering beauty, has a vibration of the supreme order from the spiritual point of view. It seems to stand as an immediate revelation of the Almighty in concrete form, which makes man bend his knees and lower his head in reverence. Its gorgeous silvery summit, resplendent with the luster of spiritual aura,pierces into a heavenly height of 6690 meters (22028 feet) above the level of the sea.

The Holy Mansarovar Lake
The PARIKRAMA or circumambulation of the Kailas Parvat is about 54 kms. Mount Kailas is revered in Sanskrit literature as the abode of the all-blissful Lord Shiva and his divine spouse Parvati, the all-enchanting Nature (Prakriti) which from 32 kms. off is overlooking the Holy Mansarovar and the Rakshas TaI, in the south. The holy Mansarovar or manasa-sarovara is the holiest, the most fascinating, the most inspiring, the most famous of all the lakes in the world and the most ancient that civilization knows. It is a famous lake in the Hindu mythology. The lake is majestically calm and dignified like a huge bluish green emerald or a pure turquoise set between the two mighty and equally majestic silver mountains, the Kailas on the north and the Gurla Mandhata on the south and between the sister lake Rakshas Tal or Ravan Harda on the west and some hills on the east.

The OM parvat
Stretching majestically over an extensive cradle of the Tibetan plateau and hanging at a heavenly height of 4550 mts (14950 feet). above the sea-level, the vast expanse of the lake with a circumference of about 88 Kms. and a depth of nearly 90 mtrs covers an area of about 320 sq. kms. By far the most magnificent and thrilling of one's experience would be in winter when the whole lake freezes hard, and again in spring when the ice breaks and melts to clear blue waters. It is only the inspired poet or the divine artist with his magic colours that can, for instance, describe and represent adequately the beauty and grandeur of sunrise and sunset on the lake. The water of Mansarovar is as sweet as that of any river or of any glacial lake. The holy manas provides fine caves, camping ground and good sites to pilgrims. At certain places the site is rocky or sandy. On full moon nights, with the full moon overhead, the scene is simply indescribable.

At sunset the whole of the Kailas range on the north becomes a fiery region all of a sudden, throwing an observer into a trance, and by the time he returns to consciousness he sees only the Silvery Peak in front.

The weather is always uncertain. One moment you have scorching Sun, the next moment it begins to hail and snow and shortly after having a nap and coming out of your camp, you will see a clear blue sky and bright Sun above and a bed of pearl-like hail and white snow on the ground.

Kalidas Saying

In the northern part there is a mighty mountain by the name Himalaya, the abode of perpetual snow, fittingly called the lord of mountains, animated by Divinity as its soul and internal spirit (or in other words, Divinity incarnate). Spanning the wide land from the eastern to the western sea, be stands as it were like the measuring rod of earth.
At the direction of the king Prithu the self same mountain was used as a calf by all other mountains. While the Mount Neru (KAILAS) stood as an expert milker of cows and milched the Mother Earth (as if from a cow) the milk of shining gems and medicinal herbs of wonderful virtues and supreme efficacy (in order to adorn the Himalayas).

-Kalidas's Kumarasambnavam

Kailash Mansarover Yatra

The world-famous and holy Mt. Kailash & Manas Lake have been, the source of inspiration for many religions and beliefs. Despite many difficulties and long distances, people are keen to go there at least once in their lives. Continued from centuries, this pilgrimage had been stopped from 1959 to 1980, and when it restarted in 1981 it was welcomed everywhere. Hundreds of Indians thus got the opportunity to go through this region. Situated on the other side of Himalayas of Uttarakhand, Kailash & Mansarovar are the most pious and most beautiful shrines.

Also, from religious point of view, these are highly regarded. Darshan and 'parikrama' of Kailash and Mansarovar is considered as uncommonly pious by the believers of four religions Bonpa, Hindu, Buddhist and Jain.

Bonpa, the ancient Tibetans, see a nine story 'swastik' in it and consider it an abode of Damchauk and Dorge Phangmo. Hindus worship it as the abode of Shiva and Parvati. Buddhists believe it to be the home of Buddha and Manipadam and Jains worship it as the place of "nirwan of First Tirthankar".

Near Mansarovar there is a beautiful lake called Rakash Tal - or Ravehahalad. In the north of these two lakes is Mt. Kailash and its series (22028 ft./6675 mts.) in the south Mount Gurala is situated. From this region four big rivers of north India originate' Karnalies, Satluj, Brahamputra and Sindh. 865 kms from Delhi, Mt. . Kailash and Mansarovar in Tibet, are always very near to the hearts of Indians. Due to Mansarovar, Uttarakhand is also termed as Manas-Khand.

It, is believed that Mansarovar is originated from the forehead of Brahma and was discovered by the king Gurlamandhata, after whom the highest Mt. Gurula (Mamonani) is named. Thus the unique mountain and lake are attached to our history, culture and mythology. In the parikrama of Kailash (Kongrigpoke) one has to walk 55 kms. and its highest point is Dolmapass at 19000 ft. Mansarovar is situated at the height of 14930 ft./4530 mt. with a circumference of 90 kin., depth of 90 mt. and total area of about 320 sq. km. Mansarovar is attached to Rakashtal with a natural canal at a height of 14900 ft./4515mt. Circumference of Rakashtal is 122 kms. River Satluj originates from the north west corner of Rakashtal.

In winter all mountains and river lakes are frozen and covered with snow, so the time of yatra is from May to September. Indian pilgrims visit from June to September in 16 batches. (30-40 in every batch). Foreign Ministry of Indian Govt. advertises this pilgrimage. Selected people go through medical tests and other formalities before they do yatra in their batches. The management of this yatra is done by Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam Ltd. in Indian region and Tibetan tourism agency in Tibet respectively.

Adi Kailash Map

"Nature in her wildest and most rugged forms bears witness to the correctness of the belief that here is the home of ‘the great god’ ....All the aids to worship in the shape of striking scenery, temples, mystic and grogeous ceremonial and skilled celebrants are present, and he must indeed be dull who returns froms his pilgrim unsatisfied”.

(Edwin T. Atkinson )

Suggested Itineary

The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra takes normally 28 days. Of these 28 days, 11 days yatra is in Chinese side and rest days of the yatra is in Chinese side. The trekking starts on 4th day on the Indian side. The Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam Limited makes arrangements to provide accomodation, transportation and food on the Indian side of the Yatra. Where as Chinese authorities makes arrangemet for accomodation, logistics and other arrangements on the Chinese side.
The daywise schedule of yatra is given below:-

First Day - The pilgrims cover 320 Km from Delhi to Kathgodam via Moradabad, Rampur, Haldwani. They cross the rivers Yamuna, Ganga and Ramganga W. rivers on the way. Before starting the journey, pilgrims are briefed by the Under Secretary, Ministery of External Affairs, about the Yatra and their medical check-up is done at Indo-Tibetian Border Police Centre.

Second Day - After having Breakfast at Kathgodam, the journey to Bageshwar starts. At lunch, bus reaches to Almora and lunch is served in the KMVN (Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam) guest house. Then there is drive uphill to Bageshwar which lies on the confluence of Gomti and Saryu.

Third Day - Before breakfast at Bageshwar, the Baijnath temple may be visited. From here the pilgrim reach Chaukori via Kanda - Vijaypur - Kotmunya. Everyone will be pleased by the impressive view of the mighty Himalaya form the tea estate of Chaukori. Then there is a drive downhill to Thal, uphill to Didihat where lunch is served, then downhill again to Ogla - Jauljibi and finally along the Gori river till they reach Dharchula, crossing the Gomti, Saryu, Ramganga E. and Gori on the way. One can now see the mountains of Nepal. The distance covered is 160 Km.

Fourth Day - 19 Km from Dharchula the Dhauli E. meets the Kali at Tawaghat. One can plan to reach out and touch the Chhiplakot peaks, lakes and glaciers via village Khela in a future trip. The pilgrims cross the bridge over the roaring Dhauli and see the confluence of the Kali and Dhauli, and then drive on to Mangti. If one is lucky one might find oneself in this region during the Kandali festival which is held once in twelve years. Travel along the Kali river through dense forest to climb up to the village of Gala (2440m). Here are KMVN's cottages. There is a PWD dak bungalow at Jipti (2378m) 2 Km further.

Fifth Day - Although Gala to Buddhi (2740 m) via Malpa (2018m) is 20 Km. To reach Malpa one has to climb down 4444 steps to reach the river Kali. This place is Lakhanpur. To the right of the Kali is the Chhata fall. On the left is also a fall in Nepal. Next is the beautiful Najang fall. The Kali seems almost like a violent storm in this region. Budi (2740m) is at a distance of 9 Km from Malpa and the group rests at Lamre before reaching Budi. There are numerous springs and waterfalls on either side of the river; also can seen the Api - Nampa range of Nepal.

Sixth Day - Gunji (3500m) is 17 Km from Budi. On reaching Chhialekh the group enters the region of Byans. The pasture of Chhialekh is strewn with grasses and flowers. Then comes Garbhiang village (3225m), deserted because of geopolitical and geological reasons. Here the Kali meets the Tinkar coming from Nepal. The Kali is no longer intimidating and becomes almost silent by the time Gunji (3500m) comes. The trek from Budhi to Gunji via Chhialekh and Garbhiang is 20-22 km long and most tiring of all. Buddhi to Chhialekh is a steep climb. On the way Api mountain range on the Nepal side is seen.

Seventh Day - One moves along the relatively quieter Kali to walk 10 Km to reach Kalapani (3600m). There are pine, bhojpatra and juniper forests in this region. Although the river has been coming all the way from Lipulekh pass, the small pool formed under a huge rock is considered to be the source of the Kali. There are snow - clad mountains all around and Vyas's cave is to be found on the mountain in front of Kalapani. It was because of the visit of Rishi Vyas that the region is known as Byans. There is also a hot water spring at Kalapani.

Eight Day - The group covers the 9 Km from Kalapani to Navidhang (3987m) surrounded by innumerable wild flowers. This is the region of Musk deer and Monal and the highest stage of Himalayan wilderness. The 'Om Parvat' smiles in front of the pilgrim.

Ninth Day - After walking 8 Km from Navidhang to the Lipulekh pass (5334m), the pilgrims enter Tibet, where the Tibetan/Chinese autorities welcome them. They walk down to Chang Lobochahela and from here by truck and bus they reach the old trading town of Taklakot (Purang), which is situated on the banks of the Karnali river.

Tenth and Eleventh Day - The pilgrims staying at Purang Guest House (4267m) can walk to town, Shimling monastery, Nepali market and Karnali river. 3-4 Km away is the damaged memorial of the Dogra General Jorawar Singh. The formalities of emigration and payment to the Chinese authorities are completed here. Yaks for the Kailash Parikarama and ponies for thr Manas Parkaramas are to be requisitioned here only.

Twelfth Day - The pilgrim group is divide into two subgroups, one for Kailas and another for Manas parikrama. The bus starts from Purang around midninght. Before sunrise the bus crosses the Gurla Pass (4910m). Then comes Rakastal (Long Tso, 4515m) on the left western slopes of Gurla Mountain (Memo Nani, 7683m) on the right and Mt. Kailas (Kang Rinpoche, 6675m) in front. Next is the first glimpse of Mansarovar (Tso Mapam, 4530m) at Zaidi. After crossing Parkha plains the bus reaches Tarchen, the base camp fro Kailas parikrama. Group 'A' stays at Tarchen and 'B' is taken to Hore by Bus.

Thirteenth Day - Group 'A' walks 20 Km along the Lha Chhu, constantly looking at Mt. Kailas and its changing faces. Before sunset one should reach Dirapuk Gompa (4909m) and enjoy the northern face of Kailas at sunset. Group 'B' walks along the southeastern shore of Manas. After crossing Samo and Tag rivers and visiting Seralung and Yerngo Gompa for night stay after walking or riding for 30 Km. Here in front of the pilgrim is the Manas and elevated Kailas and behind are the grand peaks of Gurla Mandhata.

Fourteenth Day - This is a slightly difficult day for group 'A'. Along Dolma La chhu the group reaches the Dolma pass (5636m), where the huge stone memorial of goddess Dolma (Tara Devi) is located. After resting and praying pilgrims walk down to Gaurikund (Tukji Chenpo Tso) and reach Zutulpuk Gompa along Lham Chu. Group 'B' walks for 40 Km along the south - western shore of Manas - the region is full of birds and flowers. Before the completion of parikrama of Manas at Zaidi, one can also visit Gossul Gompa.

Fifteenth Day - Group 'A' completes Kailas parikrama on this day by noon. Rest of the day can be used for visiting Gyengtak Gompa and Astpad, the southern face of Kailas from the ridge (6675m) above Gyengtak Gompa. This is the rest day for group 'B' but Chiu Gompa and Ganga Chnu, the natural channel which connects Manas with Rakastal, may be visited by walking 8*2 = 16 Km. From this point, grand view of Manas, Rakas, Kailas and Gurla can be seen.

Sixteenth to Twentieth Day - Group 'B' comes to Tarchen for Kailas Parikrama and group 'A' to hore for Manas parikrama. Form the 18th to the 20th days, both groups completes their respective parikramas. Form the 21st day, 'B' group comes to a waiting 'A' group of Zaidi. After prayers, bath and yajnya the pilgrims comes back to Purang enjoying the grand views of Kailas and Rakastal on the way.

Twenty first Day - Before lunch the pilgrim visit the Khojarnath Gompa, 25 Km away from Purang and situated at the bank of Karnali. In the evening, Purang market may be visited. It is now time for purchasing things from the market and government departmental stores. The pilgrims can visit Taklasar or Simling Gompa also.

Twenty Second to Twenty Eight - Day Back to Lipulekh (5122m) and finally down to Kalapani on 22nd day. 23rd Gunji, 24th Budi, 25th Gala, 26th Dharchula, 27th Bageshwar by bus. On the Twenty eight day the group reaches to N.Delhi - the National capital welcomes you.

While trekking, walk towards the hill, not to the drop-side. Don't withdraw towards drop-side to give way to any person or horse/pony.

The yatra time is from morning to noon. So you are advised to start early and reach next camp by noon. Wet clothes, due to rain or sweat, should be changed and make your arrangements for next day's yatra.

The arrangements for horses and porters are to be done in the very beginning at Tawaghat. It is not possible to get them in the middle of yatra.

Trek according to the route. Don't experiment with shortcuts or untrodden ways.

During your trek, be cautious, yet confident. Take special care of difficult terrain and watch out for landslides, falling rocks/ boulders, cloudbursts, the Kali River flowing alongside. You should trek as a team, taking care of your other team-members and warning each other of potential hazards.

Use only water of safe springs for drinking. Fill your water bottles from camp. On the wayside, teashops give relief.

During the selection itself Yatris are advised to procure good quality trekking shoes/ walking-stick, raincoats, Polythene and Rucksacks to carry their belongings, goggles, woolens mufflers, hats, jackets/wind-cheaters, couple of pairs of socks, cameras, transistor radios and general medicines. Notebooks and pens can also prove handy.

The weight of your luggage should be upto 25 kg only. Extra weight will be charged.

From Delhi to Lipulekh and back from Lipulekh to Delhi there are good arrangements by KMSV.N, but K.M.V.N. or Uttranchal Tourism is not responsible for any accident. If a yatri doesn't attend after selection, money will be not refunded.

The lodging facilities on the way are in snow-huts, tin-sheds or tents in some places. Warm beddings are adequately provided. All these facilities are arranged in Tibet also. The yatries have to cock their own food for 6 days while undertaking the 'parikrama'.

Onion-less food rice, dal, chapatis, vegetables, pickle, puri, paratha, pakori, vegetable soup, sweets, rasna, tea, Bournvita, and local green vegetables are available. The food required for the duration of the parikrama is advised to be purchased from Delhi or any major town enroute. In Tibet, stoves and utensils are provided.

In case of illness, one may have to stop the yatra midway and return, but money is not refunded. In emergencies, a helicopter can also be arranged, on payment and depending on availability.

Rucksack, water bottle, jacket or sleeping bags can be hired from KMVN.

Photography is not prohibited in India and Tibet so a sufficient stock of reels is advisable. Exposed films can be deposited at Kalapani or at Lipulekh.

For any information or suggestions please write to

General Manager (Tourism)
K.M.V.N. Ltd
Oak Park House
Nainital - 263001
Ph - 05942-236356
Fax - 05942-236897

Nagesh

Nagesh - An Era

Blood Group

We shall discuss about various facts of Blood Group

Home Medicine

Let us discuss about Kai Vaithiyam, Paatti Vaithiyam and many more.

For Cold & congested nose
1. Boil sukku powder(Dry ginger powder) or eucalyptus leaves in one litre of water & inhale the steam. Make sure to cover youself with a blanket.(like Vethu pidikarathu or aavi pidikarathu)
2. Have a mixture of lemon juice and honey when you are suffering from cold.
3. For nagging cough and chest congestion, boil 3 cups of water with 2 fresh betel leaves and 4 crushed peppercorns, till the water is reduced to half. Strain and drink every morning and night with a teaspoon of honey.

Paati Vaithiyam for Cold & Cough
1. For cough, add a pinch of salt with two pinch of turmeric powder in one glass of warm water and gargle.
2. Keep a piece of ‘Chita rathai’ in your mouth.(You can get Chita rathai in naatu marundu kadai).
3. Chew a clove with a piece of Sugar Candy (panag KalKandu).
4. Take a half teaspoon of sukku(dry ginger) powder, a pinch of clove with a pinch of cinnamon powder and honey in a cup of boiled water and drink it as tea.
5. Take 1 cup of hot milk with a pinch of turmeric powder and add 1/2 spoon black pepper powder fried in ghee.
6. In a glass of hot milk add pepper powder,turmeric powder and jaggery. Drink the milk before going to sleep.
7. Boil thulasi in a glass of water. Allow it to boil till the water reduces to half. Drink it mixing little honey to it.
8. Eat the powder of dried ginger and cumin with sugar for relief from cough.
9. Have the mixture of mustard paste and honey for good relief from cough.
10. Kashayam for cold and cough that will have immediate relief
Adhimadhuram
Chitharathai
Kandathippili
Chukku
Perichangai (dates unriped)
Panankarkandu
Take little of each of the above ingredients and make them into small chunks and boil in 4 cups of water. Water should reduce to half and good aroma should come from the boiling water.
Take the above warm water either filtered or just like that twice a day.
11. Eat the powder of dried ginger and cumin with sugar for relief from cough.
12. Have the mixture of mustard paste and honey for good relief from cough.
13. For a good relief from cough, mix equal quantities of basil (tulasi) juice, honey and ajwain (omum) juice and drink on an empty stomach.
14. For fever and cough of children, give some honey mixed with water.
15. Drink basil water everyday, it helps in keeping throat infection and cough at bay.

Sleeping Problem
1. Drink a cup of warm cow milk with rock candy or honey before going to bed at night.
2. Gently massage the soles of the feet with sesame oil. Rub oil into the scalp.
3. Keep your feet in a tub filled with warm water and salt. It will give you freshness. Do this before going to bed.

Treatment for head lice
1. Before going to bed, spread leaves of Karunthulasi (Ocimum Sanctum no labiatae) also known as Krishna thulasi on your pillow. Sleep on the leaves. Lice will go away unable to bear the smell of the leaves.
2. Apply paste of neem on the hair and leave it for 30 minutes. Rinse it throughly.
This will help in removing the lice. Do it once a week continuously for 1 month

Premature greying of hair
1. Gooseberry juice one litre and fresh kadukkai juice one litre are mixed in a glass container. 100 gm of serankottai or semecarpus anacardium nut is cut to pieces and added to this mixture. This mixture is then transferred to a glass bottle and the lid closed tight. The bottle is buried in earth for one month. After one month, take the bottle out, filter the ingredients. Take two litres of pure coconut oil, heat it over stove and add the filtered liquid onto coconut oil. Heat the mixture for sometime.Do not let it not boil. Cool the oil and filter it again. Save the oil in a bottle. Apply one teaspoonful of this oil to your scalp for luscious hair growth. This also helps to cure premature graying.
2. For premature greying and dizziness.
Curry leaves (Karuveppilai) (about 250 gm) are ground to a fine paste and then moulded to small round flat forms and dry it in shade. Heat coconut oil 1kg over stove and add this dried curry leaf cakes when the oil is about to boil. Once cooled, store the oil in a glass bottle. Regular application of this oil will gradually cure premature graying.

Kashayam for cold and cough
1. Take equal amounts of
Pepper
Jeeragam
Dhaniya
Omum (ajwain)
Kandathippili
Sathakuppai
Dry neem flowers
Dry ginger
Fry each till golden brown & grind everything together.(Do not grind it too smoothly). To 2 tsp powder add 2 cups of water & boil. Reduce to 1 cup, strain, add honey & drink. Drink twice a day.
2. For nagging cough and chest congestion, Boil 3 cups of water with 2 fresh betel leaves and 4 crushed peppercorns, till the water is reduced to half. Strain and drink every morning and night with a teaspoon of honey.
3. A few tulsi leaves boiled in water for the first cup of tea in the morning, taken regularly, is good for the heart and prevents frequent colds.
4. Lemon juice, honey and ground pepper with hot water instead of bed tea also works most of the time.
5. Boil few Drumstick leaves, karpooravalli leaves, thoothuvalai leaves, dry ginger, pepper, garlic, beetle leaves in two cups of water. When the water reduces to less than one cup, strain and drink the kashayam twice when affected with cold.

Treatment for sore throat
1. Remove outer skin of Cardamom (elaichi), powder it in a mixie, and add to milk and drink. Cardamom in warm water is also good for dry tongue and thirst.
2. Boil milk well. Add 10 pieces of powdered black pepper, along with honey and turmeric powder, before very slowly drinking it.

Treatment for foot crack
1. Dry roast alum ( padikaram in tamil) in an iron kadai or ladle. After roasting, powder it, make a paste with olive oil or coconut oil. Apply it for a few days – it is very effective.
2. Apply coconut oil after washing the feet with soap . After applying the oil on the feet, wear a pair of thick socks. Leaving this application overnight can surely provide positive results in few days.
3. Apply the pulp of a ripe banana on the dry or cracked area of the heel. Leave it on for 10 minutes and rinse it clean.
4. Soak the feet in lemon juice for about 10 minutes. Do this once in a week.

Home remedy for sun tan and skin darkness
1. Take some curd and mix some honey in it. Apply this along the tanned parts of your body. This will make wonders to remove the tans when applied continuously for 15 days.
2. Apply dosai/ idly dough on your skin after applying coconut oil. Leave it for 15 - 20 minutes and wash it. This will impriove the complexion of the skin.

Treating sore breast when feeding baby
Feeding mother often face with the problem of sore breast. Here is a simple home remedy for treating the same.
1. Take some grated cocunut, grind it and take the coconut milk. Boil the coconut milk in low flame. Boil till the oil floats on the top of the liquid. Now take the liquid from the flame, and store it in a container. Apply this liquid on the sour breat to heal. This is safe for both the baby and the mother.

Prevent constipation for small babies
1. Dry grapes is a good remedy for constipation among babies. Dry grapes come in light brown and dark brown colours. Boil 3 raisins in water with saunf and filter. Give the baby the filtered ticoction.

Vasambu for babies
Vasambu by itself is a great medicine to treat gassiness and stomach-ache in infants. Becasue of its medicinal values, its also called 'pillai valarpaan' in tamil or 'herb that protects babies'. It helps in removing gassiness, stomach discomfort, chest cold etc.
1. Vasambu is cut into small circular pieces and then tied around the wrist, again this is supposed to be good for the stomach. A minute paste of vasambu and honey also helps. Abdominal distension is treated by oral ingestion of vasambu (sweet flag) or external application of the root, which had been burnt in flame and made into a paste with breast milk.
This is purely the contributor's experience. Pl consult your doctor/physician before introducing to anything. The author/website owners cannot take any responsibility for any outcomes that may arise from following the advice given above.

Home remedy for Sinus
1. Fry 50-g .of black pepper and 100 g of fenugreek seeds (methi) slightly grind and keep. Mix 10 small pinches of the ground powder, with one spoon of honey and consume after lunch and dinner. Mix ginger extract and coconut oil, and heat. Take bath after rubbing the above on head. (Sufficient dilution before application is essential, to avoid irritation)

Home remedy for asthma
1. Take 15 thulasi leaves, 2 cloves (lavangam), 10 black pepper. Soak in water and boil. After 15 minutes of boiling, filter it, add some milk with 2 tea spoons of honey and drink.
2. Eat two beetle leaves with 10 black pepper to get releaved from congestion at respiratory track.
3. Drinking egg added to the hot milk clears the congestion in the respiratory track.

Keerai and their uses in different ailments
Health is Wealth. Much of grandma's advice is based on common sense and our ancient knowledge of herbs.
1. Mudakkathan keerai - arthritis
2. Tippili - asthma
3. Bitter gourd - Blood sugar
4. Papaya – cholesterol
5. Aadathodai , tulasi leaves with peppercorns - colds & cough
6. Ginger - gastric complaints
7. Jeera, ginger , sukku – indigestion
8. Keezhanelli or karsilanganni – jaundice
9. Araikeerai - Lactation for feeding mother
10. Vallarai - improve memory
11. Arugampul - general good health always

Home remedy for dandruff
1. Apply gingelly oil with lemon juice(1 tsp) on the scalp. Leave it for 1/2 an hour. Then wash it with shampoo. This done every week for a month, will reduce dandruff.
2. Soak fenugreek seeds(vendhayam) in sour curd overnight. Next day morning grind the fenugreek seeds and apply it over the scalp. Leave it ofr 20 - 30 minutes. Then wash it off. This will reduce the dandruff as well reduce hair fall. Note : fenugreek cools the body, so be careful not to keep it applied for long time. Also take care, when you are sufferng with cold or sinus problems.
3. Grind aloe vera and fenugreek into a paste and apply it on the scalp. Rinse your scalp after half an hour to get rid of dandruff.

Note :Aloe vera and fenugreek cools the body, so be careful not to keep it applied for long time. Also take care, when you are sufferng with cold or sinus problems.

Home remedy for Arthiritis
1. A daily serving of fresh fish or fish oil capsules helps to give relief of arthritis and other joint pains.
2. 3-4 walnuts taken daily, on an empty stomach, will help.

Mensuration Problems among Ladies
There is a common problem for all ladies to get their mesuration cycle during critical days. You can check this harmless methods – of course you can’t say , they will work 100 %. It varies with individuals, but they are absolutely harmless. These methods will not affect your harmonal functionalities.
1. If you suddenly get at odd times:
Buy sabja seeds (Thiruneetru Pachilai seeds) ( used for falooda). Soak 1 tsp in ¼ cup curds overnight. Swallow it in the morning on an empty stomach. Bleeding will stop.
2. To postpone the mensuration cycle:
Everyday in the morning take the above sabja seed – curd mixture, eat 2 bananas & drink a cup of water. You are not likely to get it the whole day!
or
On an empty stomach eat a handful of raw fried bengal gram (pottukadalai or udaitha kadali used for chutney) & drink a cup of water. You can have coffee only after minimum one hour. You are not likely to get it the whole day.
3. To prepone the mensuration cycle:
On an empty stomach drink 1 tbsp of ginger juice mixed with 2-3 tbsp of jaggery.
or
Eat seasame seeds+ jaggery ( 1 tbsp each) together.
or
Eat groundnut with jaggery (you can take groundnut burfi)
4. Have a mixture of gingelly oil and egg, for 3 days, for menstrual disorders.
5. You will get a great relief from menstrual pain , if you have a gooseberry daily.

Kashyam for Pregnant Ladies from 7th Month
Pregnancy Kashayam used from the 7 th month will help ease the delivery. The kashayam is made from simple ingredients at home. The following kashayams will be given every night before sleep to the pregnant woman. For each day till the delivery of the baby, any one kashayam can be given at night. For better results, you can follow one by one a day. The kashayams should be filtered before serving to the pregnant lady.

Method : 1
1 teaspoon Jeeragam
2 inch x 2 inch block of palm jaggery (karupatti in Tamil)
2 cups of water
Dry roast the jeeragam. Once the aroma comes add the water and palm jaggery block. Let it simmer and reduce to 1/2 cup. Switch off the stove and serve it warm.

Method : 2
1 teaspoon Methi seeds
2 inch x 2 inch block of palm jaggery (karupatti in Tamil)
2 cups of water
Dry roast the Methi (Vendhayam) seeds. Once the aroma comes add the water and palm jaggery block. Let it simmer and reduce to 1/2 cup. Switch off the stove and serve it warm.

Method : 3
4 stems of Curry leaves(karuvepilai) (remove the leaves and use the stems alone. Each stem should be 10 inch in size)
2 inch x 2 inch block of palm jaggery (karupatti in Tamil)
2 cups of water
Add the water and palm jaggery block along with the water and curry leaf stems in a pan. Let it simmer and reduce to 1/2 cup. Switch off the stove and serve it warm.

Method : 4
4 stems of Drumstick leaves (remove the leaves and use the stems alone. Each stem should be 10 inch in size)
2 inch x 2 inch block of palm jaggery (karupatti in Tamil)
2 cups of water
Add the water and palm jaggery block along with the water and drumstick leaf stems in a wide skillet. Let it simmer and reduce to 1/2 cup. Switch off the stove and serve it warm.

Method : 5
1 teaspoon Sombu
2 inch x 2 inch block of palm jaggery (karupatti in Tamil)
2 cups of water
Dry roast the Sombu in a pan. Once the auroma comes add the water and palm jaggery block. Let it simmer and reduce to 1/2 cup. Switch off the stove and serve it warm.

Method : 6
1/2 inch piece of dry ginger (sukku in Tamil) crushed slightly
2 inch x 2 inch block of palm jaggery (karupatti in Tamil)
2 cups of water
Add the crushed dry ginger piece with the water and pal jaggery in a wide skillet. Let it simmer and reduce to 1/2 cup. Switch off the stove and serve it warm.

Day 7:
Lavangam - 1 no with the head part removed (This kashayam alone will be given once in a month. On the seventh month it starts with 1 lavangh and it is incresed as 2 nos by 8th and 3 by 9th.
2 inch x 2 inch block of palm jaggery (karupatti in Tamil)
2 cups of water
Dry roast the Lavangam in a pan. Once the aroma comes add the water and palm jaggery block. Let it simmer and reduce to 1/2 cup. Switch off the stove and serve it warm.

These kashayams eases up urination and cures the edema especially in the lower limbs in the later months of pregnancy. These should be strictly had only after the start of seventh month.

Prevent Wrinkles on Face
1. Rub ground onion on your face. Leave it for 10 minutes and wash it. Do this daily.
2. Apply whipped egg whites on face and let dry, then wash. Do it once in a week.

Indigestion for babies
1. Juice of ginger and honey is given for babies suffering with indigestion. It is best remedy for babies not fed by mother milk and depends on tin food products.

For head ache
1. Grind small onions and apply on the fore head and have good sleep to get relieved from head ache.

Tooth Ache
1. For tooth ache, keep a clove on the affected area.
2. For relief from toothache.. Take two basil leaves, a grain of salt and a pinch of pepper powder and press against the affected tooth.
3. If you have bad breath, drink at least five glasses of water in the morning.

For stomach Ache
1. Chew some cumin and sugar for relief from stomach pain.
2. Apply gingely oil on the stomach and massage at the naval point.

Remove Stretch Marks after Pregnancy
Stretch marks face with time, but never disappear entirely, because they form when the elasticity of the skin is destroyed.
1. Massage til oil daily on the area. Mix besan with curd and a little turmeric and apply it on the area three times a week. Wash it off when it dries and then apply til oil as advised.

January 27, 2009 2:56 AM

K R Suresh said...
Mooligai

Vilvam ( Bael)

Indian bael(Aegle marmelos), a native plant of India, has spread over wide areas of southeast Asia. The ripe fruit and unripe fruit, as well as the roots, leaves and branches have all been used in traditional medicine. This ayurvedic herb is commonly found in India especially in dry hilly area and up to 4000 feet altitude from sea level. It is usually present in Indian temples.

Medicinal Properties
Indian bael, as various extracts, has analgesic, antidiabetic, antidiarrheal, antifungal, antihistaminic, antihyperlipidemic, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, antipyretic, antiulcer, radioprotective, and thyroidal effects. These pharmacological effects are of unknown clinical impact, given the contemporary absence of documentation of such in the standard medical literature. There consequently is a need for clinical studies that substantiate therapeutic uses of Indian bael.

Uses
1. The ripe fruit is a good and simple cure for dyspepsia.
2. The root improves appetite and relieves nausea.
3. The roots, and the bark of the tree are used in the treatment of fever by making a decoction of them.
4. The unripe and half-ripe fruits improve appetite and digestion.
5. It is also used as a mild sedative.
6. The fruits are very useful in chronic diarrhoea and dysentery.
7. The leaves of the tree are useful as expectorant, also in catarrh, diabetes and asthmatic complaints.
8. The oil from the tree is used as ears.
9. The leaves are used in treatment of eye disorders and ulcers.
10. The leaves has been used for weakness of the heart and beriberi.

Puliyamaram ( Tamarind Tree )

Tamarind trees are very common in South India, particularly in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. It is from the bean and pea family, and is grown both as a fruit and shade tree. Its yellow-orange flowers are quite attractive. The tamarind tree grows well in semi-dry tropical climate as well as in humid tropical areas. It can develop up to 25m tall, with 3” – 8” fruits that are brown and pod-like

Medicinal Properties
It produces fruits that are rich in potassium, phosphorus, minerals, magnesium, and calcium, and high amounts of carbohydrates and essential amino acids. It also has vitamin C and trace amounts of vitamin A and iron. Over all, the tamarind contributes a great deal as a natural aid to the development of a healthy body.

Uses
1. Tamarind is used as an Ayurvedic Medicine for gastric and/or digestion problems.
2. The leaves have been traditionally used in herbal tea for reducing malaria fever.
3. The brown, sticky and tangy pulp is used in a variety of delicacies.
4. The fruit is said to cure fever and also been used as a mild laxative.
5. The seeds have been traditionally used to cure diabetes and intestinal ailments.
6. The bark of tree is useful in treating scorpion bites.
7. The fruit pulp is digestive, anti flatulent, cooling laxative and antiseptic.
8. Tamarind seed oil is used for making paints and varnishes.
9. The tree is widely used in silviculture as it performs well as a wind-break, preventing soil erosion.
10. The woods can also be made into agricultural implements and furniture.

Naaval maram ( Java plum )

Java plum (Syzygium cumini) is a ever green tree has oblong leaves that are smooth, glossy and have a turpentine smell. The bark is scaly and grey, and the trunk forks into multiple trunks about 3 – 5ft from the ground. It has fragrant white flowers in branched clusters at the stem tips, and purplish-black, oval edible berries. The tree starts bearing fruit at 4 - 7 years, and each berry has only one seed.

Medicinal Properties
Glucose and fructose are the principal sugars in the ripe fruit and not even a trace of sucrose is detected. It is a good source of minerals and provides fewer calories. The sodium and potassium content is also less compared to the other fruits. The seed is also rich in protein and carbohydrates. It also contains traces of calcium.

Uses
1. Java Plum is used as a mild astringent and pungent carminative.
2. The bark is used for anaemia.
3. The bark and seed is used for diabetes.
4. The leaves are used for diarrhoea and fever.
5. The seed is used to stabilise blood pressure.
6. Ripe fruit is used to cure scurvy.
7. Decoction of bark is gargled to cure spongy gums and other mouth diseases.
8. Paste made from burnt bark in any blanch oil is applied over scalds and burns.
9. Ripe fruit is preserved as fruit candies and jams.
10. The juice of ripe fruit is used for preparing sauces as well as beverages.

Vilaampazham ( Wood apple )
Wood Apple a woody fruit of a medium sized tree, Aegle marmelos of family Rutaceae. The pinnate leaves bear spine at the base. The flowers are reddish; bark thick, comparatively soft and brownish. The fruit is fairly large, globular with diameter 5-16 cm having woody rind. Ripe fruits have soft, fleshy, yellowish edible pulp with numerous seeds embedded within the pulp.

Medicinal Properties
The ripe fruit is rich in beta-carotene, a precursor of Vitamin A; it also contains significant quantities of the B vitamins thiamine and riboflavin, and small amounts of Vitamin C.

Uses
1. This fruit is more popular as medicine than as food.
2. It is much used in India as a liver and cardiac tonic.
3. when unripe, it is used as an astringent means of halting diarrhea and dysentery.
4. It is an effective treatment for hiccough, sore throat and diseases of the gums.
5. It's leaf juice mixed with honey is a folk remedy for fever.
6. Leaves, bark, roots and fruit pulp are all used against snakebite.
7. The root juice was once popular as a remedy for snakebites.
8. The pulp is poulticed onto bites and stings of venomous insects, as is the powdered rind.
9. The leaf decoction is given to children as an aid to digestion.
10. It is also useful in preventing cancer of the breast and uterus .

Sombu ( Fennel seeds )

Fennel is a hardy perennial related to parsley, often cultivated as an annual. The flower heads are collected before the seeds ripen and threshed out when completely dried. Fennel is most commonly known as a sweet cooking spice, however, both the seed and the leaves are used for their medicinal value. Fennel is a good example of cooking with herbs to flavor food for additional nutrition as well as giving healthy benefits.

Medicinal Properties
The major constituents of Fennel, which include the terpenoid anethole, are found in the volatile oil. Anethole and other terpenoids inhibit spasms in smooth muscles, such as those in the intestinal tract, and this is thought to contribute to fennel’s use as a carminative . Related compounds to anethole may have mild estrogenic actions, although this has not been proven in humans. Fennel is also thought to possess diuretic (increase in urine production), choleretic pain-reducing, fever-reducing, and anti-microbial actions. The seeds are used as a flavoring agent in many herbal medicines, and to help disperse flatulence.

Uses
1. Promotes function of the spleen, liver and kidneys.
2. Good for jaundice when the liver is obstructed or to improve appetite.
3. Relieves colon disorders.
4. It has since been used as a wash for eyestrain and irritations.
5. Good for the cancer patient after chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
6. The seeds are used as a flavoring agent in many herbal medicines, and to help disperse flatulence.
7. The seeds, and roots, also help to open obstructions of the liver, spleen & gall bladder.
8. It is carminative, a weak diuretic and mild stimulant.
9. Fennel was once used to stimulate lactation.
10. It allays hunger and was thought to be a cure for obesity.

Katrazhai (Aloe Vera)

Aloe has been well known for centuries for its healing properties, and both oral intake and topical dressings have been documented to facilitate healing of any kind of skin wound, burn, or scald - even speeding recovery time after surgery

Medcinal properties
The raw plant is best, but commercial preparations can also be used, especially for taking orally, as this plant tastes horrible. Other topical uses include acne, sunburn, frostbite (it appears to prevent decreased blood flow), shingles, screening out x-ray radiation, psoriasis, preventing scarring, rosacea, warts, wrinkles from aging, and eczema.

Uses
1. It is an excellent natural antibiotic.
2. It strengthens digestion, prevents the formation of gas and helps to improve large intestinal flora.
3. It purifies the blood, aids digestion of protein and promotes proper metabolism in the body.
4. Turmeric is used in treatment for fever and mild stomach upset.
5. It is also used in infection, arthritis, dysentery, jaundice and other liver problems.
6. It is used to treat chest congestion, menstrual discomforts and many more ailments.
7. It helps to relieve carpel tunnel syndrome, joint inflammation and prevent cancer.
8. It is also extensively used in treating cough problem. Add a pinch or two of turmeric to warm milk to soothe respiratory aliments such as cough or asthma.

Nellikai ( Amla )

Amla is a fruit which commonly called as "Nellikani" in tamil. This fruit contains medicinal properties and is used many treatments. Amla is an extensively used herb in making ayurvedic medicines. Amla is supposed to rejuvenate all the organ systems of the body, provide strength and wellness. According to ayurvedic experts regular usage of amla will make our live more then 100 years like a youth.

Medcinal properties
The fruit is rich in vitamin C and Pectin. This is an antioxidant with the free radical scavenging properties, which may be due to the presence of high levels of superoxide dismutase. It is a good antioxidant, antitumour & antimicrobial.

Uses
1. 1.It is very helpful in skin diseases.
2. It promotes glow on skin and delays wrinkles or loosening of skin.
3. It stimulates hair follicles thus promoting hair growth and also improves texture of the hair.
4. It prevents premature graying of hairs and dandruff.
5. Amla act as natural hair conditioner and provides good nourishment and also helps in normalizing blood supply
6. It acts as an effective natural cure for indigestion, acidity, constipation, gastric troubles, and flatulence.
7. It is helpful in improving liver function.
8. It helps in lowering cholesterol and blood sugar level.
9. It has very good results in chronic cough, child hood and allergic asthma and tuberculosis.
10. It provides nourishment to the nerves and is helpful in paralytic conditions.

Vembu ( Neem )

Neem is a very famous herb and possesses miraculous medicinal properties. Neem has been used as pesticide since early ages because of its remarkable property of fighting away with pest and microorganism. Neem has the potential to benefit every person on the planet as it can balance ecological problems like deforestation, erosion and global warming along with providing an astonishing variety of products that are environmentally friendly.

Medcinal properties:
Every part of the plant is used i.e. flower, leaves, bark, seed, oil and branches. Neem is a multipurpose herb, which is recommended in every type of ailment.

Uses:
1. It works as blood purifier and is very helpful in eradicating toxins from the blood that are supposed to cause harm to the skin.
2. Neem helps in proper healing of wound without causing any infections and septic conditions.
3. It acts as an effective natural cure for skin diseases like skin problems like acne and blemishes.
4. It helps our body to counter mild infections. For any type of bacterial infection, doctors always recommend to take bath of water soaked with neem leaves.
5. It helps in early healing of burns and injuries.
6. It is also helpful in providing internal glow to the skin by providing natural supplements that are required for good and healthy skin.
7. It is extensively used in hair fall and early graying of hairs.
8. It has good results in the treatment of eczema and even ringworms.
9. Neem also find its application in dandruff and in lice growth.
10. It is helpful in removing dark circles under the eyes.
11. It helps making our immune system very strong and efficient to fight against any foreign invasion.
12. It works as an anti inflammatory and pain relieving agent.
13. It stimulates liver for proper functioning therefore helps in maintaining proper secretions of liver.
14. It helps in fighting with the intestinal worms there by act as a deworming agent.

Thulasi (Tulsi)

Tulsi is an aromatic herb found everywhere in India. It is the most worshipped plant in Hindu culture. This herb contains such a chemical composition that no mosquitoes and flies can come near the plant because of its peculiar odor. Thereby by planting tulsi in courtyard keeps our home safe from any diseases caused by these organisms.

Medcinal properties
Plant parts used are leaves, flower, seeds and root. It is being used in variety of herbal ayurvedic formulations. Tulsi herb is dominantly used in bronchitis and asthmatic conditions.

Uses
1. It acts as anti bacterial and anti parasitic, therefore is widely used in infectious diseases.
2. It work as appetizer and promotes digestion by helping in secretion of digestive enzymes.
3. Tulsi juice when mixed with ginger juice is very effective in abdominal disorder in children.
4. It is an effective natural cure for upper respiratory tract infection (URTI).
5. It works as good expectorant relieving from wet cough.
6. It is very useful in bronchitis and asthmatic conditions.
7. It works as antibiotic eliminating the bacteria.
8. It is widely used in fever as it act as antipyretic, pain reliever, and provides strength to our body. Take powder of tulasi leaves with dried ginger and sugar with hot water in fevers.
9. It also possesses anti-cancerous properties.
10. Tulsi juices are very effective in earache.
11. It works as a powerful antioxidant thereby helps in preventing early aging signs and makes the skin young.

Manjal (Turmeric)

Turmeric is a valuable herb extensively used in India Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine. Turmeric is used extensively in Indian, Middle East, Moroccan, African and Southeast Asian cookery, especially in curries, vegetables, rice, fish and meat dishes to add color and flavor. Considered a cleansing herb for the whole body, it gives energy and grants prosperity. The finger like stalk is scalded, dried and used for medicinal preparations. Turmeric is great for the skin.

Medcinal properties
Turmeric has been trditionally regarded as important source of medicine. It is an anti-oxidant.Burnt turmeric is used as tooth powder to relive dental troubles. Mixed with lime it is applied externally to get relief from sprains and pains.

Uses
1. It is an excellent natural antibiotic.
2. It strengthens digestion, prevents the formation of gas and helps to improve large intestinal flora.
3. It purifies the blood, aids digestion of protein and promotes proper metabolism in the body.
4. Turmeric is used in treatment for fever and mild stomach upset.
5. It is also used in infection, arthritis, dysentery, jaundice and other liver problems.
6. It is used to treat chest congestion, menstrual discomforts and many more ailments.
7. It helps to relieve carpel tunnel syndrome, joint inflammation and prevent cancer.
8. It is also extensively used in treating cough problem. Add a pinch or two of turmeric to warm milk to soothe respiratory aliments such as cough or asthma.

Paagarkai (Bitter gourd)

Bitter Gourd is one of the most popular vegetables in China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand, India and the Philippines. Bitter Gourd, also called Bitter Melon, has an acquired taste. The plant is grown mainly for the immature fruits although the young leaves and tips are edible. Bitter Melon seed has hard skin and needs warm/moist soil conditions during germination. It may fail or take a long time to germiante if the soil temperature is too low. Bitter Melon is a long-season, high-humidity and warm-climate vine plant and needs to grow along supports.Bitter Melon, also known as Bitter Gourd is a herb that helps regulate blood sugar levels and keeps body functions operating normally. It has well known result in diabetes mellitus.

Medcinal properties
It has well known result in diabetes mellitus. Its principle constituents are lectins, charantin and momordicine. Bitter melon is not only beneficial in diabetes mellitus but is also very beneficial in many other disorders that have been troubling mankind.

Uses
1. It stimulates pancreas to work and secrete all the secretions properly.
2. It is also used in treating diabetes mellitus as it has an action similar to insulin thus helping in glucose metabolism.
3. Bitter gourd helps in stimulating liver for proper secretions of bile juices.
4. It helps in easier digestion of food as it promotes secretion of digestive enzymes.
5. It also helps in good assimilation of food.
6. It works as an appetizer.
7. It helps in destroying worms present in gastro intestinal tract.
8. It helps in purifying blood and helps us from infection from microorganism and toxins that are created by there presence.
9. It is very commonly used in skin diseases especially it finds it application in acne and black spots on face.
10. Bitter melon works as an anti-inflammatory agent thus helping in subduing any kind of oedema present on body.
11. It is extensively used in chronic cough as it has expectorant properties and helps in releasing the sputum accumulated in respiratory tract and lungs. Asthmatic patients are believed to have a very good relief if it is regularly taken.

Vellari kai ( Cucumber)

Cucumber is a very edible fruit which comes from the cucumber plant, which is part of the gourd family. It is being used for different purpose as it can be eaten raw or cooked. With so many health benefits it becomes one of the most important parts of food diet as well as skin diet. Cucumber can claim to be a water body as it has 90% water. It is known to be a cooling agent due to the water in it.

Medcinal properties
The flesh of cucumbers is primarily composed of water but also contains ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and caffeic acid, both of which help soothe skin irritations and reduce swelling. Cucumbers'hard skin is rich in fiber and contains a variety of beneficial minerals including silica, potassium and magnesium The silica in cucumber is an essential component of healthy connective tissue, which includes muscles, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and bone. Cucumber juice is often recommended as a source of silica to improve the complexion and health of the skin, plus cucumber's high water content makes it naturally hydrating—a must for glowing skin. Cucumbers are also used topically for various types of skin problems, including swelling under the eyes and sunburn. Two compounds in cucumbers, ascorbic acid and caffeic acid, prevent water retention, which may explain why cucumbers applied topically are often helpful for swollen eyes, burns and dermatitis

Uses
1. As cucumber and the skin share the same level of hydrogen, it becomes easier for cucumber to mask all the problem areas.
2. It helps in soothing and softening your skin which can get you relaxed in no time.
3. With so many useful ingredients in cucumber it can help you in treating so many skin problems.
4. It has become part of daily beauty product into face packs, facials, juice and many other things which can affect your skin.
5. Due to its cooling effect it can be termed as a magic wand for all your skin problems.
6. The cleaning and cleansing property helps your skin tremendously making it soft and supple.
7. The regular intake of cucumber juice is very useful both internally and externally.

Vendhayam ( Fenugreek )

Fenugreek is used both as a herb (the leaves) and as a spice (the seed). It is cultivated worldwide as a semi-arid crop. Fenugreek has grown wild in India, the Mediterranean, North Africa, Southern Africa for centuries. It also has medicinal benefits like it is used in reducing the blood sugar level and blood pressure, it is rich in vitamins, minerals and proteins. In India, fenugreek seeds are mixed with yogurt and used as a conditioner for hair. It is also used as a digestive aid. It is one of the world's oldest medicinal herbs.. Fenugreek seeds are ground and roasted and used to flavor to curry. The seeds are also soaked and then powdered and used to make lip balm and tonic. Fenugreek's leaves, which are high in iron, are used in salads..

Medcinal properties
Fenugreek has a long history of medical uses in Ayurvedic medicine, and has been used for numerous indications, including aiding digestion, and as a general tonic to improve metabolism and health. Fenugreek is a practical herb for all mucus conditions of the body, particularly the lungs, by helping to clear congestion. Use fenugreek for head colds, constipation, bronchial complaints, asthma, and sinusitis.

Uses
1. Fenugreek seeds are rich in vitamin E and is one of the earliest spices known to man.
2. Fresh fenugreek leaves are beneficial in the treatment of indigestion, flatulence and a sluggish liver.
3. The dried leaves of the fenugreek is used as a quality flavour for meat, fish and vegetable dishes.
4. An infusion of the leaves is used as a gargle for recurrent mouth ulcers. A gargle made from the seeds is best for ordinary sore throat.
5. Fresh Fenugreek leaves paste applied over the scalp regularly before bath helps hair grow, preserves natural color, keeps hair silky and also cures dandruff.
6. Topically, the gelatinous texture of fenugreek seed may have some benefit for soothing skin that is irritated by eczema or other conditions.
7. It has also been applied as a warm poultice to relieve muscle aches and gout pain.
8. Fenugreek seeds reduces the amounts of calcium oxalate in the kidneys which often contributes to kidney stones.

Karisalankanni (False Daisy)

Karisalankanni (Eclipta prostrata) is the herb of choice in treating liver diseases. This herb grows in marshy areas throughout the year. It grows abundantly during the rainy season. There are two varieties of karisilankanni, one has yellow flowers and the other white. The yellow one is more potent.

Medcinal properties
karisalankanni is also a specific remedy for jaundice. It has a great medicinal value in the treatment of hair. Karisalankanni is said to protect against night blindness and other eye diseases probably because of its high carotene content.

Uses
1. It is good for teeth, skin and hair.
2. It induces appetite.
3. It aids digestion and helps expel fecal matter from the large intestines.
4. It heals ulcers.
5. It cleans the liver and encourages secretion of bile.
6. It cures inflamed liver also called fatty liver.
7. It expels intestinal worms, cures coughs and asthma, and tones the body.
8. The yellow variety is said to be particularly good for the skin and eyes.

Keezhanelli (Niruri)

Keezhanelli is a common annual weed from the genus Phyllanthus that contains more than 700 species. The plant grows up to no more than 1½ feet tall. It has small yellow flowers.This plant has been highly valued in a number of countries "for its curative properties; in India the plant is often used by traditional medical practitioners for a variety of ailments, including asthma, bronchial infection" and diseases of the liver.

Medcinal properties
Traditionally, phyllanthus has been used to treat jaundice, gonorrhea, frequent menstruation, dysentery and diabetes.Clinical studies conducted with the extract of this plant, points to its great therapeutic efficacy, in the treatment of hepatitis B. It has also been shown to be effective against infective hepatitis (hepatitis A). It has antifungal, antiviral, and anticancerous properties.

Uses
1. It has also been used topically as a treatment for skin ulcers, sores, swelling, and itchiness
2. The antiseptic,coolant, stomachic and diuretic properties of this plant have been utilized in traditional medicine.
3. Its efficacy in the field of gastro intestinal disorders like dyspepsia,diarrhoea, constipation, and dysentery is undisputed.
4. It has a urolithic property, dissolving renal calculi.
5. Also used in cough, asthma and other bronchial affections.
6. Entire plant ( Root, stem, leaf area)are having its medicinal value and the whole plant is used in Ayurvedic formulation.

Pirandai (Veldt Grape)

Pirandai or Veldt Grape, is a curious climbing plant with tendrils and 4-ribbed to 4-winged stems. Stems are short, jointed with conspicuous constrictions and are usually nearly leafless. Botanical name of this plant is Cissus quadrangularis is an ancient medicinal plant native to the hotter parts of Ceylon and India. It was prescribed in the ancient Ayurvedic texts as a general tonic and analgesic, with specific bone fracture healing properties.

Medcinal properties
Cissus quadrangularis contains high amount of vitamin C, carotene A, anabolic steroidal substances and calcium. It is one of the very frequently used herb by traditional bone setters of India.

Uses
1. It is mainly used as healer of bone fractures.
2. Cissus helps preserve muscle tissue during times of physical and emotional stress.
3. It has been proved to be highly effective in relieving pain
4. Reduces swelling and promotes the process of healing of the simple fractures .
5. It is also used for piles.
6. Best home remedy for asthma and cough.
7. Prevents loss of appititte
8. It is used to cure digetive disorders.

Vaal Milagu (Cubeb)

Cubeb is a climbing perennial plant,which grows tall, up to 20 feet high, with dioecious flowers in spikes. The leaves are oval shaped and green in color. The fruit is brown and round. It's Odor is aromatic and taste is pungent and somewhat bitter. It is commonly called as cubeb, tailed-pepper and java pepper.

Medcinal properties
It has antiseptic, antiflatulent and expectorant properties. Medicinal properties of cubeb are due to the presence of a volatile oil which formerly was thought to stimulate healing of mucous membranes.

Uses
1. 1.It is commonly used to treat problems with the digestive and urinary tract.
2. Cubeb berry relieves gas and bloating in the digestive tract.
3. The crushed berries are smoked, and the inhaled smoke produces a soothing effect in certain respiratory ailments.
4. The berries are used to treat the symptoms of bronchitis.
5. Paste of cubeb is used as a mouthwash.
6. Dried cubebs internally for oral and dental diseases, loss of voice.
7. It is used to cure fevers and cough also.
8. It can releive infections in the urinary system.
9. Cubeb berry has expectorant properties so that it can thin mucus.

Vaeli Paruthi (Pergularia Daemia)

Pergularia daemia is a perennial herb growing widely along the road sides of India. It has been used in folk medicine for the treatment of liver disorders. The whole plant is of high medicinal value. It' s botanical name is Asclepiadaceae.

Medcinal properties
It is astringent, acrid, emetic, expectorant and laxative.The aqueous and ethanolic extracts obtained from aerial parts of Pergularia daemia were evaluated for hepatoprotective activity in rats by inducing liver damage by carbon tetrachloride.

Uses
1. It is used for cough.
2. It increases the levels of total protein.
3. It lowers total cholesterol.
4. It cures digestive disorders.
5. Best remedy for menstrual diorders.

Pudhina (Mint Leaves)

Pudina(Mint leaves) is a perennial herbaceous plant. Leaves are opposite and sessile type. Grows all over the country. It is a fragrant plant. So it is used in curry hugely. It's botanical name is Mentha viridis

Medcinal properties
The entire plant is antibacterial, antifibrile. Mint is carminative, stimulative, stomachic, diaphoretic and antispasmodic. Peppermint has the highest concentrations of menthol, while preparations of spearmint are often given to children.

Uses
1. It is used to stop vomiting, hiccup, fever and coughs.
2. Mint has several medicinal uses in treating skin problems.
3. It is especially useful in treating acne, itching, inflammation, and burns.
4. It is effective in headache and cough sore throat.
5. It is especially useful in treating acne, itching, inflammation, and burns.
6. It makes a good carminative and digestive aid.
7. Menthol obtained from this is used in balm.
8. It is also used as flavoring agent in culinary preparations.Itimmediately neutralises the incompatibility of any food article.
9. It is very popular in the food and confectionary industry.

Seenthil Kodi (Guduchi)

Seenthil Kodi (Guduchi) also called Tinospora cordifolia is an herbaceous vine. The Sanskrit name guduci means the one, which protects the body. Guduci grows throughout India in deciduous as well as dry forests. It is said to climb over the highest trees, and to throw out aerial roots which reach the length of 30 feet. It is a perennial deciduous twiner with succulent stem and papery bark. The flowers are yellow, axillary, long-stalked racemes. The fruit is pea-sized, subglobose drupes, red in colour. The plant flowers in June and fruiting occurs in November.

Medcinal properties
It is antiperiodic, antipyretic, alterative, diuretic, anti-inflammatory.The Sanskrit name guduci means the one, which protects the body. It is a constituent of several compound preparations.

Uses
1. It is used in fever, urinary disorders, dyspepsia, general debility and urinary diseases.
2. It is also used in treatment of rheumatism and jaundice.
3. The medicated oil of the plant is effectively used to reduce the pain.
4. It works well on all the seven dhatus tissues and keeps the systems in balance.
5. It alleviates bodyheat, thirst, burning sensation to the skin and vomiting if any, due to pitta.
6. It is used in the treatment of gout and rheumatic disorders.
7. It is traditionally used as a household remedy, for chronic fever.
8. Guduci is recommended in the skin diseases.
9. It effectively relieves the itching and oozing.
10. It is immensely helpful in the digestive ailments like worm infestations, and loss of appetite, abdominal pain, vomiting, etc.

Inji (Ginger)

Ginger is a natural spice and is known worldwide for its smell and pungent taste. Ginger has been used by Chinese herbalists have used ginger for almost 2,500 years as flavor in food and also as a herbal medicine.

Medcinal properties
There are numerous health benefits of ginger. It helps in curing problems of nausea, digestion, circulation and arthritis. Ginger is wonderful for warming up the entire body & fighting off all/any nasty germs. It is high in vitamins A, B complex & C, minerals, calcium, phosphorus, iron, sodium, potassium & magnesium - no wonder our ancestors used Ginger!

Uses
1. Ginger is good for the respiratory system.
2. It is good to fight against colds and flu.
3. Ginger offers substantial protection from stroke and heart attack because of its ability to prevent blood clotting.
4. Ginger, a multifaceted herb, is crucial in the battle against cardiovascular disease.
5. Relieves headaches and pains.
6. Helps to clear sore throats.
7. Good for upset stomach and indigestion.
8. It is very effective as a cleansing agent through the bowels and kidneys and also through the skin.

Milagu (Black pepper)

Black pepper is the dried mature but unripe berry (fruit) of Piper nigrum, a branching vine or climbing, perennial shrub. Black pepper is the most important spice of India and world due to its day-to-day use. It is therefore rightly considered as the 'king of spices'.

Medcinal properties
It has been considered as a powerful remedy for various disorders of anatomical system. It is prescribed as an effective cure for dyspepsia, malaria, etc.

Uses
1. Pepper is used as an antiepileptic and analgesic .
2. Ayurvedic medicine uses Piper nigrum to destroy Kapha and is said to be Vipaka in taste.
3. It is said to stimulate the digestion; diminish semen; relieve asthma, cough, heart trouble and pains; heal diabetes and piles; and destroy worms.
4. It increases Pitta, and decreases Kapha and Vata.
5. Pepper is the main ingredient in some of the most important Ayurvedic medicinal preparations used to control diseases.
6. It is also used as a carminative and for sprue, coughs, asthma, piles, tuberculosis and disorders of the spleen, among others.
7. Pepper is also useful as a stimulant or "vitalizer.
8. Black pepper has been used in the treatment of gonorrhea, cholera, cough, disorders of the urinary system and malarial fever.
9. Its aromatic properties have been used in treating dyspepsia and flatulence.
10. Paste containing pepper is applied locally for boils, piles, rheumatic pain, headache, prolapsed rectum and toothache.

Karpuravalli (Country Borage)

Coleus Ambonicus or Karpuravalli (in Tamil), is a plant that must be grown in homes where there are children. This plant carries the flavour of camphor and hence the name. Karpuram in Tamil means camphor.This plant has been used by locals for a long, long time. It is mainly used as to treat coughs and colds, especially in infants. While many native forms of medicine have been proved to be effective in some instances, only in recent times real scientific studies have started.

Medcinal properties
Stimulant, expectorant and diaphoretic. Juice of fresh leaves is used in urticaria and other allergic conditions; antibacterial,antitubercular. The oil exhibits antihistaminic property in vitro on smooth muscles of the uterus and the intestines. It also possesses muscle-relaxant action; bactericidal and fungicidal properties. The leaves contain glucosides of luteolin and apigenin.

Uses
1. A domestic remedy for coughs and cold.
2. Prevents gas formation.
3. Increases absorption of nutrients.
4. Aids in digestion.
5. Helps regulate female menstruation.
6. Helps eliminate toxins from the body, promotes perspiration.
7. Helps promote circulation.
8. Helps regenerate cells and tissues and promotes longevity.
9. Increases the efficiency of a system or organ.

Kuppaimeni (Indian Nettle)

Indian nettle or kuppai meni in Tamil, which grows wild even in the cities. Its scientific name is Acalypha indica. It is a common annual shrub in Indian gardens and waste places throughout the plains of India. The leaf petioles are long and slender. The leaves are oval in shape.

Medcinal properties
The medicinal property of this plant has been known to Siddha medicine where it is called Poonai Vanangi (the plant adored by cats) and is used in portions for skin ailments.

Uses
1. It is used to cure ulcers.
2. pain of snake-bite.
3. Juice of this plant is used in skin diseases.
4. Best remedy for asthma, pneumonia.
5. Their juice mixed with oil forms an application in rheumatic arthritis.
6. Drop a little of this mixture in each nostril gives relief from running nose.
7. Used to cure Tooth ache, ear ache.
8. Best home made remedy for severe cough.
9. Applied on skin for burns.


Katrazhai (Aloe Vera)
Thulasi (Tulsi)
Manjal (Turmeric)
Paagarkai (Bitter gourd)
Karisalankanni (False Daisy)
Keezhanelli (Niruri)
Pirandai (Veldt Grape)
Vaal Milagu (Cubeb)
Vaeli Paruthi (Pergularia Daemia)
Pudhina (Mint Leaves)
Seenthil Kodi (Guduchi)
Inji (Ginger)
Karpuravalli (Country Borage)
Kuppaimeni (Indian Nettle)

January 27, 2009 2:57 AM

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