The Puja Ceremony
April 16th, 2008 at 9:35 am |
The Puja Ceremony takes place at Base Camp and is the starting point for all Everest expeditions. Before any Sherpa or team member steps foot on the mountain, a Lama holds the ceremony in order to pay homage to the mountain deity.
Sir Ranulph Fiennes joined the ceremony where climbers brought their equipment, crampons, axes and boots to be blessed before starting the climb.
The Lama sits in front of the stone square temple – built by the Sherpas. The two-hour ceremony starts as the Lama begins to chant. Offerings of chocolate, biscuits and coca-cola are brought to the altar, and Sherpas hand out rice to be thrown into the air.
The food offered is handed around alongside Chang – a potent beer brewed by the Sherpas. Hot sweet tea and cold drinks are also on hand.
The ceremony ends with flour being applied to the face in three marks – two across the cheeks and then one on the chin.
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