A PILGRIMAGE TO BORDURIA

Borduria, with its first catholic church and school in Arunachal Pradesh, located in the beautiful uplands and valleys of Tirap District. It is implicit and augmented as the land is hallowed by the visit of St.Mother Teresa on 2nd of August, 1993. Also this is the only place in the state visited by her. This place is inhabited by the Nocte tribe. As the Folklore goes that, Borduria was and is the Mother village of the district.

His holiness "Pope Francis" declared the year 2016 to be the 'Extraordinary Year Of Mercy'. Catholics ought to go for a pilgrimage on this year of mercy and seek forgiveness for all their sins and do a work of mercy. So, on 12th of November 2016 Christ the Light Parish of the Diocese of Miao organised a pilgrimage to Borduria. The parishioners were accompanied by us[Seminarians].

Winter was at hand. Sweaters,Jackets,Caps,Mufflers etc. were worn by the people. Some even had their shawls on. I just wore a long pant and a formal shirt, cause I'm used to with cold. It was 5:15 A.M. early in the morning we departed from here[Miao], with a short prayer by the priest. It was Saturday, the 'Joyful Mystery '. Everyone seemed to be reciting every beads with great enthusiasm and full of devotion to mother 'Mary'. It let our gathering ring. Unceasingly singing and chanting the prayers and the heartfelt songs and hymns. Exalting the Christ and the mother above all.
A turning point came here in Margherita(Assam), where everybody seems to be hungry. There rose a problem between a priest and the lady(pilgrim), regarding the matter of breakfast. The fallacious argument lasted for more than 10 minutes. The devoted Mien of the pilgrims with full of hope and patience to reach the door of mercy was shading with rigidity, due to that awkward scene.
But then, after sometime the situation was calmed by the Catechist and some pilgrims. To my eye on the details, I would say that, the fault was weighing equal on both of their sides. Despite all these matters, we concluded the scene by having our breakfast at the Dirok Gate. A bun,Noddle Roll, an egg and a Mineral water bottle, with a print on it 'Gracy Water' was our food for breakfast.

Entering Tirap District through the Dirok Gate, I felt refreshing, inhaling the fresh oxygen of the lush green forest. It is a forest reserved area. The trees and bushes adorned dramatically on both sides of our way. We saw monkeys clinging,hanging and jumping from a tree to another. I also heard one of the pilgrim say that these forests are inhabited by wild elephants. It was a bad luck, I didn't get an opportunity to see the wild elephants, and perhaps it was a good luck too, because who knows, if we have faced the elephants , we might have got smashed down.

Some miles ahead from the forest, to the right was the 1st IRBN camp. And after a while was a well reputed institution 'RK Mission'. Also these region is good for coffee plantation. Then we reached a town named "Deomali". There I saw a splendid art, on the middle of the town was a statue erected of 'Wangcha Rajkumar', in the junction. The place is plain and beautiful.

The strenuous and arduous journey begins now, when I was feeling sleepy and tried to take a nap but I couldn't. The road in these region are not in good condition, Bus would jerk now and then. Passing through the curvy road on the feet of the mountains with deep down valleys almost made me giddy. At the same time journeying through these distant mountains covered with evergreen forest and deep down valleys was really fascinating.

It was already noon when we reached Borduria. I was mesmerized by the beauty of the place. Buildings and houses were set on top of the hills and on the feets of the hills. We climbed up a hill to reach the church. While I was climbing this steeps, I remembered of St.Mother Teresa climbing up here and all the tiredness and exhaustion left me. The distance and heights were forgotten. I felt blessed.

Entered the 'door of mercy', made a sign of the cross with the holy water and a genuflection. We had an adoration for about an hour. While on the other side, the priests were hearing confessions. After the confession I felt lighted up as if all my burdens faded away. Everybody confessed their sins and offered their prayers and petitions with perseverance and reverence. We'd a blessed moments before the Blessed Sacrament. Then we forwarded to celebrate the holy mass. The parish priest of Borduria was the main celebrant. He thanked the pilgrims to wade through the vast distance, facing lots of Problems and difficulties and journeying here to accomplish their love for Christ and seeking forgiveness for their sins.

It was around 3:00 P.M., the mass got over. We were absolutely ravenous and was catered rice with beautilicious chicken, prepared and served by the women of the village. We'd a heartiest appetite. Just after having the food, I heard some singing inside the church. Then, in a hurry I climbed the steps to see who is singing. I was astonished by the children over there. They play Drum,Keyboard,Guitar etc. and sings so melodiously and competently. These children were of the age below 12, staying in the hostel[DBS].

This Pilgrimage meant something more to me than any other travels. It did bring some good change in me. I'm in love with Borduria. I wish to come here again and again and explore the beauty of the place deeply. Also, I long to visit the other places of this district as well.

Writer - Francis B. Mossang

Please Share it. 👍