About Shamanism

Though organised religions have made the world a less interesting place with their brands of conformity and uniformity, there are still vestiges of the old that make our life’s experiences more colourful and intriguing - Shamanism is one of them.

Practiced the world over in different forms, Shamanism is a step back into a simpler form of living where the rhythms of life depend on whims of nature and the spirits that dwell within. Placating these forces and channeling their energies through a medium is the essence of shamanism. These are mediums that manipulate forces that are good and evil, and tap into a world that dwells only in the deepest recesses of our subconscious minds.

Influenced to a certain degree by the dominant Hindu religion, the practice of Shamanism is deeply rooted in Nepal where many maladies are still thought to be beyond the scope and understanding of modern science. Shamanism in Nepal is about healing physical illnesses, manipulating spirits to one’s advantage and expelling phantoms that haunt troubled souls.

The practice of Shamanism in Nepal is immersed in rituals that are not only visually stunning but also compelling in their intensity, and made more so by the use of animal and bird sacrifices and the phenomenon of ‘playing’ with the spirits of the dead.

Shamanism permeates most sections of societies in Nepal. Here, even the doubters barely bat an eyelid at the practice because it is a way of life - especially among those living in rural communities, and among those who are distanced from the rationalizing attitudes of those who dabble in a sorcery called science.

About Secret Rites of Passage…tour

For this tour we travel to the eastern stretches of Nepal to an isolated, magnificent hilltop called Kalingchok. It is one of the few spots in Nepal that are recognised as ‘power places’. This lonely outpost surrounded by beautiful vistas of the Rolwaling range of Himalayas is where the vengeful spirit of the goddess Kali rests. It is to the shrine of this goddess that hundreds of shamans make two pilgrimages a year. Some go to renew their allegiance with the spirit of Kali, some just to worship her awesome powers and for some, it is their rite of passage into full shaman hood.

The path to becoming a full shaman is a long process which starts when a child who exhibits certain qualities, take upon an experienced shaman as a ‘guru’ or a teacher who teaches the apprentice, what he/she needs to know. The culmination of this education in spirits and how to ‘handle them’ is a little know ritual, which to put it mildly, is out of this world, bizarre, absorbing, right on the fringes of what we know as our realm.

It is a ritual that can last from one day to a week but it always ends with a pilgrimage of allegiance to guardian spirit – in this case, Kali. On the full moon of the 5th of November, such a ritual is taking place and we will be present to gain insight into what could be a reality few of us understand, let alone be witness to.

It is with a troupe of these shamans that we, armed with our cameras or sketch pads, make our journey to bear witness the Secret Rites of Passage for apprentice shamans, before the pilgrimage to Kalingchok and after the return from Kalingchok.

For this trip we will be traveling through the heart of the lower Himalayas, areas untouched by tourism, and among people that still cling to the remaining traditions of their forefathers.

A large part of the experience will deal with spirit matters. This involves sitting with the Shamans during their séances. Séances that take place in forbidding places like ancient gravesites, so one quality you need for this experience is a good ticker. You will hear and feel things you never have before. Added to this of course is the wonderful trek which culminates at the top of Kalingchok and the pagan carnival of shamans there. You will certainly talk about this experience for the rest of your life.

Accompanying us and the shamans will be an army of staff who will see to it that we are comfortable most of the times and fed regularly. Accommodation for the trip will be in tented camps, and food will be delightful creations from our camp chef. Our kitchen staff have in the past brought forth irresistible culinary delights to mountain climbers, trekkers, and thrill seekers in the most challenging circumstances and locations. They cook miracles.

Given the geography of the place, being the foothills of the Himalayas and all, the trek is a moderate one – mostly! If you are reasonably fit and can briskly walk for an hour on a flat surface without showing signs of discomfort, you qualify for the trek.

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