Mount Everest Local Custom Tips by davidjo Top 5 Page for this destination

MOUNTAIN PASSES and PRAYER FLAGS

On mountain passes you will find many prayer flags fluttering in the wind, of which there are two types, horizontal and vertical. Horizontal ones are known as Lung ta and the others are known as Darchor, the former meaning wind horse while the latter means good fortune to all. The flags usually come in sets of 5 colours in a specific order. The 5 colours represent the 5 elements. Tibetans believe that as the wind blows the prayers will blow in the wind and spread good fortune to all. Also the Buddhist will drop a stone at the top of the pass, some piles are quite high.

PRAYER WHEEL

Buddhist spin their individual prayer wheels clockwise, the same direction the sun moves across the earth and the same way mantras are written, while the holder utters the mantra "Om mani padme hum". By spinning the wheel each circulation is the same as speaking the mantra, while concentrating hard, which in turn would give the owner wisdom, merit and rid of bad karma. i came across this lady on the Everest trek sitting in the corner of the lodge and 2 years later when i repeated the trek she was still in the exact same position.

MANI WALLS

Mani walls are a collection of stone tablets with inscriptions carved on them which say "Om mani padme hum", meaning "hail to the jewel of the lotus". You must pass on the left hand side of the wall as Buddhists believe it is the direction that the universe follows (clockwise).