The ‘Appa Deepo Bhava Journey’ has begun. The journey commenced from Pashupatinath. 'Carrying Gautam Buddha's aphorism ‘Be your own light,’ I have set out on this journey,' said Appa Deepo Bhava traveler Ashok Silwal.
Starting from Pashupatinath, the journey will conclude at the Maya Devi Temple in Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha. Along the way, the journey will involve interactions and dialogues not only with local schools, local governments, religious centers, spiritual ashrams, and social organizations, but also with individuals and personalities from diverse fields.
'This is a journey of consciousness— from Satyam Shivam Sundaram to Appa Deepo Bhava,' said Ashok Silwal, author of Appa Deepo Bhava, before embarking on the journey. 'It is a journey from the Himalayas to the Madhesh. It is a journey that connects writing with the ground reality-dialogue and sensitivity with the soil. It is a journey of harmony and coexistence, and a journey of seeking light within oneself, for oneself and for everyone.'
'Though I may be physically alone on this journey, in my heart I carry the love, support, blessings, and encouragement of many companions,' he added. 'Many friends will also join at different segments of the journey.'
Ashok, the author of Appa Deepo Bhava, who has also served as an expert at the Pashupati Area Development Trust, was formally seen off from the Pashupatinath premises during a goodwill and farewell program. Those present included Nirmala Pokharel, who has earned a PhD on the goddesses of Pashupatinath; Laxman Panthi, Member Secretary of the Nepal Panchang Determination Development Committee; Dr. B.P. Badal, Member of the Pashupati Area Development Trust; the Trust’s Executive Director Subash Chandra Joshi; staff member Chhabiraman Adhikari; former Executive Member of the Nepal Tourism Board and former President of the Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal, Deepak Mahat; and Bharat Sharma, a faculty member at Yunnan University in China, among others. Prior to the farewell, Ashok performed ritual worship and paid formal homage at Pashupatinath.
Ashok will also launch the second edition of his book Appa Deepo Bhava at the Maya Devi Temple. Earlier, the first edition of the book featuring the fascinating journey to Mount Kailash and Mansarovar, regarded as the greatest of pilgrimages, was launched at the world renowned Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet.
A Langtang Goodwill Ambassador as well, author Silwal has published several works besides Appa Deepo Bhava, including Sri Lanka Smriti, which captures intimate travel reflections, and Everest: An Unfinished Story, a grounded narrative centered on the world’s highest peak, Sagarmatha (Mount Everest).
