On the Roof of the World
It would have been in 1981 or 1982 when it was reported in the newspapers that Piloo Mody, the brother of Russi Mody of Tata Steel fame and a member of Parliament, had negotiated a deal with China that would allow Indian pilgrims to visit Manas Sarowar and Mount Kailash. Hindu mythology posits that Kailash is the home of Bhagwan Shiv and Manas Sarowar is one of the 51 Shakti Peeths or centres for the adoration of the Divine Feminine. Access to these holy spots had been denied to Indians since the 1962 war but with hostilities easing, pilgrims would once again be allowed to visit. However tourists and pilgrims would have to be in groups and they would have to be escorted by Government of India officials. My friend, Abhay Maheshwari, and I immediately decided that we should go to Manas but we soon realised that the costs were prohibitive. Never mind, we decided then and there, possibly after a swig of Mohua at a Prem Bazar still, that we would start the process of saving for this trip. N...