| Destination One: Shambhala in Nepal & the Kalki Avatar |
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Welcome,
fellow travelers, to Nepal!
I hope that you are enjoying the
five-star amenities here at the Hyatt
Regency Kathmandu.
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Please be aware that all meals and drinks are included, so make yourselves at home as we prepare for an exciting few days here in the home of the Heaven on Earth of the Himalayas. We will be meeting in the lobby later this afternoon to embark on one of the many fascinating Hindu pilgrimage tours that are offered here in Nepal.
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As a special treat, we will be traveling to the realm of Shambhala. For those of you who are not familiar with Hinduism or Buddhism, Shambhala is the legendary kingdom and birthplace of the Kalki Avatar. Kalki is the tenth and final avatar, or incarnation, of the great Hindu god Vishnu, the Preserver and Savior. This fantastic incarnation of Vishnu will be endowed with eight different superhuman powers, and will be unconquerable. It is prophesied that Kalki Avatar will raise a mighty army from Shambhala, and will then sweep over the face of the earth on his great white horse, destroying all of the evil people who inhabit it. |
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This will consequently bring to an end the fourth age of the world, the Kali Yuga, an era that encompasses a span of some 432,000 years. And, as a matter of fact, we are living in the last few years of the Kali Yuga right now, the era of strife and dissension. This era, according to ancient Hindu prophecy and confirmed by our modern-day standards, is a time when the world has become depraved, social rank is decided by property ownership, wealth is the only source of devotion, lust is the primary bond between the sexes, lying is the only way to win in litigation, and the earth has been raped of its minerals. So, as you can see, we are certainly in the prime of the Kali Yuga, wouldn't you agree? I am sure that the Kalki Avatar is in Shambhala right this minute, training his army and making preparations for the demise of countless millions of people who have engaged in the selfishness of this era. But don't worry - those very few who survive this near decimation will be lucky enough to join the Kalki Avatar in the establishment of a new era, the Golden Age.
According to the ancient text of the Kalki Purana, the new Golden Age will bring peace and tranquility to the world, and a new race of human beings will be born who will live virtuous lives of truth and spirituality. All evil will have been wiped from the world, and people will be able to think holy thoughts as clear as crystal. It said that this new age will be much like the very first, the Krita Yuga, also called the Satya Yuga, the Age of Purity and Truth.
While you are enjoying your stay here, please feel free to take advantage of some of the numerous other tours and activities that Nepal has to offer, including sight-seeing tours, golfing, bird-watching, wildlife safaris, white water rafting, mountain trekking, and many, many others. There is no limit to what you can do here, at least not until the return of Vishnu as the Kalki Avatara. So, enjoy it while you can - there is no time to waste!
For more information regarding available activities, click here.
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Destination Two: Isle of Man & Ragnarok
Destination Three: Chichen Itza & the Mayan Prophecy
Return Home (it's still not too late)
Author's Notes: In
composing this storybook, I am following a theme of eschatology, or
end-of-the-world, stories that encompass the prophecies of different
cultures and geographies. I am framing these stories within a special
vacation package in which the traveler is taken to various geographic
points of interest while learning the details of each specific
prophecy. In order to make this as much like an actual excursion
package as possible, I am also including additional information, such
as hotel, entertainment, and sight-seeing opportunities, much like a
real tour guide or travel agent would do.
In the above story, the travelers will be going to the region of Shambhala. In actuality, Shambhala is not a place that can be located on a map. Legend says that it is a hidden city, rumored to be in various places within parts of Asia. For the purpose of this story, I have located Shambhala within Nepal, a country rich in Hindu culture and religion and certainly majestic enough to be home to the legendary kingdom. For many people, Shambhala does not represent an actual kingdom at all, but signifies a perfect place of spirituality that one can only arrive at through meditation and spiritual harmony.
I chose the Hindu story of the tenth reincarnation of Vishnu as the Kalki Avatara because not only is it a very interesting subject matter to discuss, but because it is a prophecy that may not be widely known by very many people who are not familiar with Hinduism. Additionally, the Kalki Avatara story carries striking similarities to the Christian story of the end of the world in the book of Revelations. Another intriguing aspect is that the proposed end of the Kali Yuga, the fourth era, also coincides with the Mayan prophecy of 2012, the end of the Mayan calendar and the (possible) end of the world.
Bibliography:
"The Kalki Avatara" by W.J. Wilkins, from Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic (1900). Web Source: Sacred Texts Archive.
In the above story, the travelers will be going to the region of Shambhala. In actuality, Shambhala is not a place that can be located on a map. Legend says that it is a hidden city, rumored to be in various places within parts of Asia. For the purpose of this story, I have located Shambhala within Nepal, a country rich in Hindu culture and religion and certainly majestic enough to be home to the legendary kingdom. For many people, Shambhala does not represent an actual kingdom at all, but signifies a perfect place of spirituality that one can only arrive at through meditation and spiritual harmony.
I chose the Hindu story of the tenth reincarnation of Vishnu as the Kalki Avatara because not only is it a very interesting subject matter to discuss, but because it is a prophecy that may not be widely known by very many people who are not familiar with Hinduism. Additionally, the Kalki Avatara story carries striking similarities to the Christian story of the end of the world in the book of Revelations. Another intriguing aspect is that the proposed end of the Kali Yuga, the fourth era, also coincides with the Mayan prophecy of 2012, the end of the Mayan calendar and the (possible) end of the world.
Bibliography:
"The Kalki Avatara" by W.J. Wilkins, from Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic (1900). Web Source: Sacred Texts Archive.
Web
Source: Wikipedia
Image Information:
Nepal Mountain Village. Web Source: Village Tourism, Hotel Nepal
Map of Nepal. Web Source: Nepal Fair Step Treks & Expeditions Ltd.
Nepal Mountain Vista. Web Source:Village Tourism, Hotel Nepal
Hyatt Regency Kathmandu. Web Source:Hotel Reservations, Hotel Nepal
Lord Vishnu. Web Source: Hindu Pilgrimage Tours, Hotel Nepal
Kalki-Avatara. Web Source: HareKrsna.org
The Shambhala Triangle. Web Source: Forum Project Avalon
Image Information:
Nepal Mountain Village. Web Source: Village Tourism, Hotel Nepal
Map of Nepal. Web Source: Nepal Fair Step Treks & Expeditions Ltd.
Nepal Mountain Vista. Web Source:Village Tourism, Hotel Nepal
Hyatt Regency Kathmandu. Web Source:Hotel Reservations, Hotel Nepal
Lord Vishnu. Web Source: Hindu Pilgrimage Tours, Hotel Nepal
Kalki-Avatara. Web Source: HareKrsna.org
The Shambhala Triangle. Web Source: Forum Project Avalon