GOSAIKUNDA, Nepal

Situated at the altitude of 4380 metres in Nepal, Gosaikunda is an alpine freshwater lake within Langtang National Park region. It’s an important pilgrimage site for Hindus as events leading to the creation of Gosaikunda following Samudra Manthan find reference in Hindu scriptures. The lake also holds an importance for Buddhists who visit it to pay reverence to the departed souls, praying for their well-being in the afterlife. In the month of Shravan, thousands of devotees from Nepal and India embark on a pilgrimage to Gosaikunda. Pilgrims take a dip in the lake, pray at the Shiva temple and ask for the forgiveness of their sins. Celebrating Janai Purnima on the full moon day, Brahmins and Chhetris replace their 'janai' with a new one by the lake. For Nepal's shamans and spiritual healers, visiting Gosaikunda is important to maintain their deep spiritual connection with nature. In Shravan, these communities from across Nepal lead processions to Gosaikunda. On the day of full moon, they celebrate shaman festival by making offerings to local spirits and performing rituals around the lake. People join shamans as they chant hymns, circumambulate the lake, sing and dance, and repeatedly beat the shamanic drums to enter a trance and to be possessed by a spirit. These rituals continue through the night as the full moon rises over the lake. This project is an attempt to take the viewer on a journey to the sacred Gosaikunda lake where one witnesses a fine blend of nature, religions, and spirituality.