Myths and legends

Lately I had a feeling that in the far west of Nepal there is nothing particularly remarkable for a tourist. The beginning of the route along the "Great Himalayan Trail" seemed to be boring trekking in places relatively untouched by civilization. Useful for acclimatization, but boring.

But it turned out that not far from the border point between Tibet and Nepal near Hilsa, the Limi Valley is located, which is very interesting from a historical and cultural point of view.

The name "Limi" consists of two Tibetan words. The first word, "Lee" (or Le), translates as "a place between two rivers." And the second, "Mi," means "people." Thus, Limi is an interfluve inhabited by people. It is said that many centuries ago one of the trade routes from Tibet to Nepal passed through this place. The Limy interfluve turned out to be a convenient transit point for merchants, who founded several settlements in this valley.

Limi Valley is located very close to the border with Tibet. And, accordingly, the traditions and culture of local residents are rooted in the traditions and culture of ancient Tibet. Moreover, it seems that both culture and traditions are better preserved here than in Tibet itself, which came under the strong influence of China.

In the Limi Valley is one of the oldest Buddhist monasteries in Nepal, belonging to the Tibetan school of Buddhism Drikung Kagyu. It is believed that the Khalji Rinchenling Monastery was founded in 990 AD by King Yeshe Yo and the "translator" Rinchen Zangpo.

Rinchen Zangpo, of course, was not just a translator. He studied a huge number of sacred texts, many of which he translated into Tibetan.

The monastery keeps ancient traditions in which Buddhism and prehistoric shamanistic rituals are strangely interwoven. It is said that some local monks possess a unique tapas technique, with which you can create heat inside the body and with it help to do without food and clothes in severe frost for a long time.

Each service at Halji Rinchenling Monastery is a kind of time travel.

The story of foundation of the monastery in Limi Valley is very interesting.

Buddhism was widespread in Tibet in the VIII-IX centuries through the efforts of the great guru and magician Milarepa. It was Milarepa who was able to combine the ancient Tibetan religion of Bon-Po into a single whole with Buddhism. In this peculiar form, Buddhism has become the state religion of the kingdom of Tibet.

In the 9th century, after the civil war in Tibet, one of the royal families went west, where they founded the new kingdom of Guge. The idea and the chosen place were successful: the kingdom became a center of attraction for artisans and merchants. Legends about the mysterious powerful kingdom could be heard far beyond the Tibetan plateau.

The rulers of Guge paid great attention to cultural issues. During the heyday of the kingdom, the best craftsmen from India, Tibet and Nepal worked here. Beautiful palaces and temples were built, and many sacred texts written in Sanskrit were translated into Tibetan. Following the model of a monastery in Guge itself, another 108 monasteries were built in the vicinity of the kingdom, and the monastery in Limi is just one of them.

Unfortunately, almost all of these monasteries were destroyed during the “cultural revolution” in the 50s of the last century. The monastery in Limi survived, because it is located on the territory of another state. The monks who fled from Tibet during this difficult time brought many ancient relics from their monasteries to Limi. They say that in the secret rooms of the Khalji Ringchenling Monastery, unique books, sculptures and tanks are still kept. Some of them have been in the monastery since its foundation.

Due to climate change, Halji Ringchenling Monastery is in danger of destruction. Both the monastery and the whole village can be destroyed if a stream of water rushes into the valley from a glacial lake formed on the side of the mountain. I hope to be in these wonderful places before this disaster occurs.

Ask questions, share opinions - the travel program is just being formed, I will be happy to take into account all interesting ideas in it!