What was a puja?

What was a puja?

• A. A mandatory religious ceremony practiced before entering the Khumbu Icefall
• B. A type of oxygen regulator
• C. A mountain pass
• D. A training drill for climbers

Answer: (A)

A puja is a ceremonial prayer and offering used to seek blessings and protection from the mountain before a risky climb. In Everest expeditions, climbers and Sherpas would perform a puja at base camp or just before entering a dangerous section like the Khumbu Icefall, with chants, blessings from monks, and symbolic offerings to honor the mountain. It’s a ritual, not a piece of equipment, a geographic feature, or a training drill, which is why the description of a mandatory religious ceremony before entering the Khumbu Icefall is the best fit.

A puja is a ceremonial prayer and offering used to seek blessings and protection from the mountain before a risky climb. In Everest expeditions, climbers and Sherpas would perform a puja at base camp or just before entering a dangerous section like the Khumbu Icefall, with chants, blessings from monks, and symbolic offerings to honor the mountain. It’s a ritual, not a piece of equipment, a geographic feature, or a training drill, which is why the description of a mandatory religious ceremony before entering the Khumbu Icefall is the best fit.