Some experiences defy words — Kailash Yatra 2025 with Swami Abhedananda was one such transcendental journey. 65 yatris from around the world gathered, including Brahmacharini Ananya Chaitanya from Chinmaya Mission Guwahati. The yatra had an auspicious start in Tibet on 3 August (Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda's Mahasamadhi Day) and a sacred closure in Kathmandu on 16 August (Shri Krishna Janmashtami), making it no less than celestially blessed and divinely ordained!

Travelling through Tibet, staying at Manasarovar and completing the Parikrama around Kailash, yatris were constantly nourished by Swami Abhedananda's satsangs — from formal talks on the Margabandhu Stotram to memorable satsang-bites at meals and stops. At Manasarovar yatris performed Ekadasha Rudrabhishek Puja by the banks the next morning. Led by Swami Abhedananda's energizing Rudram chants, the puja became an intense, transformative moment, as clouds parted to reveal the first darshan of Kailash. This was followed in the next three days by breathtaking darshan of all four faces of Kailash, a sacred aarti of the North Face of Lord Kailashpati, and the joyful completion of the parikrama.

On return, the group nostalgically retraced their route, carrying Swami Abhedananda's wise words: “We are not trekkers; we are seekers. On our journey towards Kailash, we had apprehensions. As we return, we now have comprehension of God’s grace upon us.” The pilgrimage concluded with a grateful darshan at Pashupatinath Temple.
 

Chinmaya Mission South Africa offers heartfelt gratitude to the Guru Parampara for this priceless experience.

Om Namah Shivaya!