The 'Appa Deepo Bhava Yatra,' which began at the Pashupatinath Temple, has successfully concluded at the Mayadevi Temple in Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha. Carrying the essence of Gautama Buddha’s aphorism 'Be a light unto yourself,' author Ashok Silwal embarked on this journey with a message of inner awakening.
According to Silwal, the journey— from Satyam, Shivam, Sundaram to Appa Deepo Bhava— connected writing with ground-level dialogue and lived sensitivities, placing harmony, coexistence, and the search for inner light at its core.
On the occasion of the journey’s conclusion, Silwal also released the second edition of his book 'Appa Deepo Bhava' at the Mayadevi Temple. Earlier, the first edition of the book—based on his experiences from the sacred Kailash–Manasarovar pilgrimage— was launched at the world-renowned Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet.
Silwal, who is also a Langtang Goodwill Ambassador, has published several other works, including 'Sri Lanka Smriti,' which captures intimate travel experiences, and 'Everest: An Unfinished Story,' a ground-level reflection on the world’s highest peak.
Throughout the journey, interactions were held with local schools, municipalities, religious and spiritual centers, social organizations, and individuals from diverse fields. The Appa Deepo Bhava Yatra was warmly received by Dhunibeshi Municipality, Naubise Health Post, Malekhu Teaching Hospital, Galeshwar Ashram in Devghat, Shri Ramkuti, Daunne Devi Temple Conservation and Management Committee, Sangak Dechenling Buddhist Monastery, Rammani Multiple Campus, New Environment English Secondary School, Hotel Association Lumbini, Rajkiya Boudha Bihar, among others.
'Countless people joined and enlivened this journey, which is what made it truly special,' Silwal added. 'The Appa Deepo Bhava Journey will begin again very soon.'
