Ever stumbled upon stacked stones in the mountains? Here's the mystery behind them!

Tripoto

Stacked stones or simply put, a pile of stones, where stones are balanced over each other, are a familiar sight all across Ladakh, Spiti, Kinnaur, Uttarakhand along with other places. Ever wondered what it means or why is it done?

Photo of Ever stumbled upon stacked stones in the mountains? Here's the mystery behind them! 1/3 by S S (Saurabh Sabikhi)
Stacked Stones on the shores of Pangong Lake. Shot by Saurabh Sabikhi.

It is believed that this practice of stacking stones is a way to worship, or a gesture to ask for a wish or good fortune for the person stacking them. Each stone in the stack could represent a wish, or maybe even a family member for whom the wish is asked for.

It is also believed that some people stack stones as an offering to the Gods, or as a way of atonement.

There's another interesting observation about this practice that I felt. And maybe, you'll feel it too.

Stacking stones on top of each other may look like fun at first. But slowly you'd be drawn into it. As you keep placing one stone on top of the other, you would be required to have a sharp focus. Slowly, everything around would start blurring. Placing that one more stone on the top of the stack would be your only goal.

Your worries, your problems, the surroundings, things that weigh heavy on your heart and soul, everything would blur, or not exist in that moment.

Your mind becomes quiet. At peace.

Your energies become focussed at stacking one more stone. They get rid of any negativity that they may possess. They become pure.

It's almost like meditation. Or Yoga. Or like any other thing you do to detox yourself.

It's almost like you've become a part of the universe.

And when you are done, you feel an energy flowing into you. A positive energy fills you up. You'd see yourself smiling. Your heart and soul would be lighter than when you started stacking the stones. Those few moments, right after stacking the stone, you may not realise, but you may have achieved Buddhahood.

Next time you stack stones, let me know what did you feel.