Kailash Mansarovar Yatra – A Cherished Lifetime Dream for the Devotees

Kailash Yatra; is considered a lifetime dream and journey to Mount kailash. The spiritual location with several supersonic sites and the residency of the almighty. Lord Shiva, is true symbol of the ultimate divinity to the mankind. We believe every human soul of this Universe is associated with the Sacred mountain of Kailash. Kailash as an icon give to the world that the vicious circle/chakra of life goes on by the universal truth  and divine devotion of Shiva and eternal power.

  With the Hindu Mythology Linga and 7 sarpas hold importance as treated lucky hence numerous examples are set in association like - Seven Pheras or (rounds) in a Hindu marriage, the Saptrishi or (seven sages), seven Suras in music signify the importance of the number. There is a believe that the number seven describe as the entire time and space pillars revolving around the earth. On the same lines of the numerology of seven explains the positioning of mount Kailash as the seventh mountain in line with the mountain ranges.
 

Geography of  Kailash Yatra.

  The pious and spritual mountain of Kailsah  is located in the Tibet region of the Himalayan belt. Since the region is restricted and part of Tibet (Chinese Territory) require permits/permission from the Chinese authorities is required for (Kailash Mansarovar yatra) the journey to the sacred site.

The region is at the altitude of 20,000 ft above sea level, the Kailash mountain is spread over an area of around 63 kms. Standing tall high with an elevation and the Stony up and down terrain of the mountain, makes journey to region challenging, tiring and picturesque with several faces and added divinity all around.

Different formats of Mount Kailash

When we see the mountain from the south direction, we would feel the drawing of an image of the three-eyed Lord Shiva’s face. On looking at it from the west side, the mountain looks with the theme and  the signs of Nagaraja Vasuki, which usually resides around Shiva’s neck i.e., the snake.

 Based upon the Hindu Mythological books – the symbols of Nagaraja on the mountain appear at the time of turning around of the Ocean of Milk.

From the north side the enigmatic feel of this divinity can be felt where the shrine of  Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati lies. 

Mount Kailash a sacred hill of Tibet (China)

Mount Kailash (Tibetan: Kang Rinpoche) with the spiritual value is located in the west of Tibet

The Sacred Mountain is considered pious by Hindus, Buddhists and Jains. According to the ancient texts, it is considered to as the center of the world. The reason can be gauged from the geographical significance of its place: within 30 miles radius, are the sources of mighty rivers Indus (north called "Sindhu" in India), Sutlej (in west), Brahmaputra (Yarlung Tsang-po in east), and Karnali (largest tributary to the Ganges in south). There is a myth with the religious belief, most sacred and worthy time to make the Mt. Kailash Pilgrimage is in the year of horse, as this holy site is believe to be opened first for pilgrims in the year of horse and 2014 is horse year and happens once in twelve years, so there would have hundreds of pilgrims gather at the Mt. Kailash and carry their ritual ceremony.

Mt Kailash Parikrama (Pilgrimage Circuit) - A pilgrimage to Mt Kailash is of great solace for the pilgrims of all the religions since it involves darshan of Kailash and Mansarover which evolves various faces. The Outer Pilgrimage Circuit (Chikhor) is approximately around 38 km, and Tibetans can complete a circuit in a day. The pilgrims from Tibet cherish to complete 13 circuits, in order to achieve the moksha. Some pilgrims do a circuit performing Kyangcha (Prostration). While the average circuit takes about 14 hours to complete, those doing prostration could take a couple of weeks. Those pilgrims who intend achieving secure their path to enlightenment try for 108 circuits. Buddhists and Hindus travel clockwise around the mountain while Bonpos travel anti clockwise. Most travellers take three days to complete a circuit.

Day 1 - Darchen - Drirapuk Gompa

Darchen - Chogu (Chuku) Gompa (3-4 hrs), Chogu (Chuku) Gompa - Drirapuk Gompa (3-4 hrs)

Day 2 - Drirapuk Gompa - Dolma La - Zutrulpuk Gompa

Drirapuk Gompa - Zutrulpuk Gompa (7-8 hrs)

Day 3 - Zutrulpuk Gompa - Darchen

Zutrulpuk Gompa - Darchen (3 hrs)

        

Lake Manasarovar Kora (Pilgrimage Cicuit) - Together with Mt Kailash, Lake Manasarovar is a pilgrimage site. There is a pilgrimage path around the lake and a circuit is a little over 112km, taking 4-5 days to complete. Chiu Gompa, 30 km south of Darchen, is a good starting point for a circuit around the lake.

Day 1 - Chiu Gompa - Langbona Gompa

Day 2 - Langbona Gompa - Seralung Gompa

Day 3 - Seralung Gompa - Trugo Gompa

Day 4 - Trugo Gompa - Chiu Gompa

Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage tour is the most sacred and difficult trek and route to reach the uphill. On this route we have long path and stretches of barren land, lush green valleys, snow capped peaks and spiritual blue lakes.

Mt. Kailash is the Nivas i.e., abode of Lord Shiva, and a great source and starting point of the Brahmaputra, Indus, Sutlej and Karnali. This mountain is considered as one of the ten most beautiful mountains in China with all spiritual and magnetic power to clinch the minds of the pilgrims from various parts of the world. It has shape of a pyramid in Egypt with four nearly symmetrical sides. Its bright coloured snow-covered top makes it the eye catchy and memorable mountain. In the vicinity sacred mountain, there are five temples in total. All of these temples are shrouded by mystery and legends.

The peak of the Mt. Kailash is always covered by white clouds. Hence the locals and the pilgrims have this belief if someone can clearly view the peak, he or she will be very lucky. For several decades, Mt. Kailash has been an attractive mountain to pilgrims and explorers. However no one has reached its top until this date since we can’t climb god becoz of the spiritual reasons.

Five temples around Kailash The Mount Kailash in its circumference has five monasteries, namely Nyari Monastery, Drirapuk Monastery, Songchu Monastery, Gyangzha Monastery and Thailong Monastery. Nyari is the first site on the Kailash Kora and the last two are situated on the inner kora. Each monastery has its own different legendary stories and has been bestowed by distinctive sculptures, statues, murals, thangkas and other Tibetan cultural objects. Although most of the temples & Monasteries are destroyed due to changing weather of the terrain but still some of the monasteries offer simple accommodation to pilgrims and trekkers and function as mud houses during the Kailash Parikrama.