A Farewell to Gaga kancha

The last of the 1953 Everest Expedition

This morning, our village lost a legend. My grand father’s younger brother, known to us all as Gaga Kancha, passed away peacefully at 2 AM as Ajyang Tshering  shared with us.  He was 94, the  last surviving member of the first successful Everest Expedition 0f 1953 – the same team that put Sir, Edmund Hillary  and Tenzing Norgay on top of the World. 

As soon as we heard the NEWS, my mom called our resident monk, Nawang Tengya in Nauje Gonda and asked him to prepare Gyamju (108 butter lamps) – a traditional offering to honor his soul’s journey and pray for peace. 

Lama Tengya immediately prepared 108 butter lamps, using the recently donated silver Kungbu – the bowls in which we place the melted butter to make the lamps.

I hurried to Gaga’s house, fetched his beautiful portrait from his home and went to Gonda. There I placed the portrait with care, lit each butter lamp. It was a quiet, powerful moment- a way to honor his life and keep his memory alive. I shared the news with the world through  social media, so that even far away, people could join us in remembrance. 

For our small sherpa community in Khumbu, Gaga was more than just a symbol of history – he was a living connection to an era that shaped who we are today. 

I still remember back in 2018, after my father’s passing, Gaga called me aside and said softly,  “You should stay back in Namche and continue your family Lodge”

Those words guided me when I felt lost. I stayed and that decision shaped everything i do today, from running Panorama Lodge to carrying forward our family’s story in the heart of Namche. 

Gaga’s passing marks the end of an era, but his spirit lives on – in every climber inspired by the Everest dream, and in every sherpa heart that remembers. 

Rest in peace, dear Gaga. may the butter lamps light your path to eternal peace, and may your blessings continue to guide us from afar.