For 36-year-old Joshil Kumar, a humble village boy from Waibuka, Ba, life has become a journey shaped by faith, resilience and the quiet pull of spiritual adventure.
Now living in Cranbourne, Melbourne, the former Ba native says travel has always been his passion.
“I love travelling, trekking, exploring new places and meeting people,” Mr Kumar said.
But behind the adventures lied a childhood marked by loss and perseverance.
“I grew up in a small village in Waibuka, Ba. Completed my primary and secondary education in Ba and higher-level education in Australia.
“My dad passed away when I was 13, so mum worked hard to bring us up with the support of grandparents.
“My whole family is in Australia and New Zealand now.”
In 2023, Mr Kumar made his first trip to India—becoming, as he proudly explains, “the first one out of my four generations” to do so.
That visit took him trekking to Kedarnath, where he completed the “chota char dham”, igniting a spiritual hunger he did not realise he carried.
This year, his journey took an even deeper turn.
“”I did an unplanned visit to Maha Kumbh which was a call I felt,” he says.
“I went with my mum which was a great and a lifetime experience.”
But the most profound experience came when he suddenly decided to do the Kailash Yatra (Kailash tour).
“I didn’t plan to travel but all of a sudden I made my mind to do Kailash yatra. It was like a call from Lord Mahadev as my plan and ways got set up by itself without any obstacles.
“Doing the parikarama (making a round) of Kailash was a lifetime achievement.”
From the sacred waters of Mansarovar to Gauri Kund—believed to be where Goddess Parvati created Lord Ganesha—every step felt divinely guided.
The journey also made history.
“Being the first Fijian entering Lhasa, Tibet, was a big achievement. They told me this was the first Fiji passport entering Lhasa.”
The altitude, however, pushed him to his limits.
“The biggest challenge I faced was oxygen… but with Lord Shiva’s call and blessings, it was successful.
“My dream is to complete my major Chaar Dhaam of India and visit the 12 Jyotirlingas and more places mentioned in our Ramayan, Gita and holy scriptures.”
His message to others is simple yet profound:
“What I’ve seen and experienced on all my journeys to Sri Lanka, Nepal, India and Tibet… all are mentioned in our holy books. So, believe in your religion and follow the values of life.”
Joshil Kumar at the Mansarowar lake, on Mount Kailash. Picture: SUPPIED
