At a staggering elevation of 21,788 feet Kailash Mansarovar journey feels much more than reaching the destination. It’s a surreal revelation of what holds beyond the realm of men, daunting yet mesmerizing to say the least. One requires tough mental and physical strength for conquering peaks, navigating arduous terrain and canvassing the wild woods on the way to the much acclaimed mount Kailash and the Mansarovar Lake. Returning unscathed after overcoming all kind of difficulties definitely means you get the boasting rights among your peers and friends. This journey can simply change your life in many ways than you can imagine and is totally worth your time and energy.
Natural beauty is at full display here as the place also has other adventurous spots to explore. Kailash Parikrama is the most difficult part of the entire journey as mount kailash is believed to be the abode of lord Shiva and Parvati. Another interesting lake which has derived its name from the demon king Ravana and is called the Rakshasa Tal having salty water in stark contrast to fresh water from Mansarovar lake.
Gauri kund is another water body associated with numerous legends and mythology. Travelling to kailash Mansarovar is itself a journey crossing different regions and can be completed from one of the three directions. Travelling from Kshgar to Mt. Kailash through the Tibetan highway for a journey of 1,549 kms is one way, another is to board flights to mount Kailash from Kashgar airport to Ngari gunsa airport and the final way is to travel from Kathmandu to mount Kailash as Nepal has direct access to Tibet.
1. Mount Kailash: Mount Kailash is a striking and holy peak that stands tall at an elevation of 6,638 meters (21,778 feet) above sea level. It is considered the abode of Lord Shiva by Hindus and holds immense spiritual importance. The mountain has never been summited and is considered too sacred for climbing.
2. Lake Mansarovar: Lake Mansarovar is a vast freshwater lake located at the foot of Mount Kailash. It is one of the highest freshwater lakes in the world and is considered extremely sacred by devotees. Taking a holy dip in the waters of Mansarovar is believed to cleanse one's sins.
3. Rakshastal: Also known as Rakshas Tal, this lake is located in close proximity to Lake Mansarovar. It is considered to be associated with negative energies and is less revered than Mansarovar.
4. The Kora or Circumambulation: The pilgrimage to Kailash Mansarovar involves a sacred circuit or Kora around Mount Kailash. This circumambulation is about 52 kilometers long and is undertaken by devout pilgrims. It is believed that completing the Kora brings spiritual blessings and liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
5. Ashtapad: Ashtapad is a peak located close to Mount Kailash and is believed to be the place where Lord Shiva resides. It is also associated with the first Jain Tirthankara, Rishabhdev. The views of Mount Kailash from Ashtapad are awe-inspiring.
6. Nandi Parvat and Gauri Kund: These are two other important sites that hold significance in Hindu mythology and are often visited by pilgrims during their Kailash Mansarovar yatra.
Kailash Parvat
Mapang Yongcuo Lake
La’angcuo Lake
Dirapuk Monastery
Lake Mansarovar
Yam Dwar
Tirthapuri
Rakshas Tal
Saptarishi Caves
The best time to undertake the Kailash Mansarovar yatra is during the summer months, from May to September, when the weather is relatively mild and the roads are accessible. It is essential to plan well in advance and obtain the necessary permits and visas for the journey. The pilgrimage to Kailash Mansarovar is a spiritually rewarding experience and a testament to the devotion of the pilgrims who undertake this challenging journey.
