The above photos of Shingo La were taken from various websites, based on the descriptions we heard from the pilgrim.
On 30th May, we were misinformed that His Holiness and the pilgrims had crossed Shingo-La (5,090m) safely. The actual situation is that they have just successfully crossed Shingo-La a few hours ago today, i.e. 1st June. We have received this news very vaguely in a very bad reception from one of the pilgrims who called us from Kargyak using a satellite device.
We were told that it was extremely difficult and challenging for the pilgrims (close to a thousand of them) to cross Shingo-La in the thick snow. The mules and horses, about 300 of them, carrying the supplies, could not move in the snow. This resulted in 2 days' delay.
Along the way, local villagers extended their warm welcome to His Holiness and his spiritual sons and daughters, as well as all the other pilgrims. They offered curd and milk to their beloved guru and the faithful pilgrims. In the middle of the snow, such sincere receptions came as wonderful heart-warming surprises.
His Holiness sends his love and warm greetings from the World's Rooftop. He has all of us and all the beings with him in his thoughts and prayers. For those of us who will be joining him in about 2 weeks, we have to start preparing ourselves physically and emotionally. Two of the Option A pilgrims have fallen ill and taken to Leh, now resting there and the younger one will be joining us in the last leg of the pilgrimage. It is also emphasized that anyone above 60 years' old, and physically and emotionally unprepared, will not be accepted in the registration. It is very important that no one should be delaying the progress of the pilgrims, since everyone is expected to arrive before Hemis Festival, on 1st July. With the progress now 2 days' behind schedule, His Holiness has instructed everyone to move quicker to make up for the delay. We will continue to post in the "Bulletin" section, whenever fresh news is available. Stay tuned!
His Holiness will be giving short teachings and empowerments at Padum, Zanskar, at the request of the Kanishka YDA (Young Drukpa Association) and Zanskar Buddhist Association, whose many members went to receive His Holiness a few hours ago.
Let us put our palms together to pray and wish for an effortless journey for our beloved guru, his entourage of Rinpoches and Tulkus (Kyabje Khamtrul Rinpoche, Kyabje Apho Rinpoche, Kyabje Kunga Rinpoche, Tulku Sangye Dorje and Tulku Dawa Tsering) as well as our spiritual brothers and sisters (the monks, nuns and the lay pilgrims). For those of us who will be joining them in 2 weeks, let's start preparing our mind and our body for "A Walk On The World's Rooftop".