MOUNT KAILASH AND LAKE MANSAROVAR
About Kailash
Pilgrimage is an effort to
cleanse the soul and open the mind. Every year, thousands of people make a
pilgrimage to Kailash, following a tradition going back thousands of years.
Pilgrims of several religions believe that circumambulating Mount Kailash on
foot is a holy ritual that will bring good fortune. Hindus and Buddhists make
the peregrination in a clockwise direction. Followers of Jainism and Bönpo
religions circumambulate the mountain in a counter clockwise direction. The
path around Mount Kailash is 52 km (32 miles) long.
Some pilgrims believe that the
entire walk around Kailash should be made in a single day. This is not easy. A
person in good shape walking fast would take perhaps 15 hours to complete the
52 km trek. Some of the devout do accomplish this feat, little daunted by the
uneven terrain, altitude sickness and harsh conditions
faced in the process. Indeed, other pilgrims venture
into a much more demanding regimen, performing
body-length prostrations over the entire length of the
circumambulation: The pilgrim bends down, kneels,
prostrates full-length, makes a mark with his fingers,
rises to his knees, prays, and then crawls forward on hands and knees to the
mark made by his/her fingers before repeating the process. It requires at least
four days of physical endurance to perform the circumambulation while following
this regimen. The mountain is located in a particularly remote and inhospitable
area of the Tibetan Himalayas. A few modern amenities, such as benches, resting
places and refreshment kiosks, exist to aid the pilgrims in their devotions.
According to all religions that revere the mountain, setting foot on its slopes
is a dire sin. A legend claims that many people who dared to defy the taboo
have died in the process. Can this be another reason why the mountain is not
climbed?
Following the Chinese army’s entering Tibet in 1950, and political and border
disturbances across the Chinese-Indian boundary, pilgrimages to Mt. Kailash
were stopped from 1959 to 1980. Thereafter a limited number of Indian pilgrims
have been allowed to visit the place, under the supervision of the Chinese and
Indian governments either by a lengthy and hazardous trek over the Himalayan
terrain, travelling by land from Kathmandu or from Lhasa where flights from
Kathmandu are available to Tibet and thereafter travel over the great Tibetan
plateau (ranging 10,000 to 16,000 feet) by car. The journey takes four night
stops, finally arriving at Tarchen (4600 m).
Walking around the holy
mountain (a part of its.
official park) has to be done on foot or pony; it.
takes three days of trekking starting from a .
height of around 15,000 ft to crossing the Dolma.
pass (19,000 ft) and encamping for two nights en route. First, near the meadow
of Dirapuk Gompa—2 or 3 km before the pass and second, after crossing the pass
and going downhill as far as possible (viewing Gauri Kund in the distance).
About Mansarovar
Lake Manasa Sarovar Hindi
Tibetan, Mapham Yutso) is a fresh-water lake in Tibet 2,000 km from Lhasa. It
is the highest freshwater lake in the world. To the west of Lake Manasarovar is
Lake Rakshastal and towards the north is Mount Kailash, known in Tibetan as
Khang Rinpoche.
The sight of a huge lake with a
reflection of snow-capped
mountains in its lucid waters is jaw dropping. Be prepared for a feast for the
eyes. Manasarovar Lake lies at 4,556 m above mean sea level. It is relatively
round in shape and its circumference is 88 km, depth is 90 m and it occupies a
total area of 320 square
kilometres.
The lake freezes in winter and melts only in spring.
The Sutlej River, the Brahmaputra River, the Indus
River, and the Karnali River all trace their sources to
its close vicinity.
Cultural significance
Like Mount Kailash, Lake Manasarovar
is a place of pilgrimage, attracting religious people from India, Tibet and the
neighbouring countries. Bathing in the lake and drinking its water is believed
to cleanse all sins. Pilgrimage tours are organised regularly, especially from
India, the most famous of which is the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra, which takes
place every year. Pilgrims come to take ceremonial bathes in the cleansing
waters of the lake.
According to Hindu legend, the
lake was first created in the mind of the Lord Brahma. Hence, in Sanskrit it is
called Manasarovar, which is a combination of the words Manas (mind) and
Sarovar (lake). The lake, in Hindu mythology, is also supposed to be the summer
abode of swans, which are considered to be judicious and sacred birds. It is also
believed the Devas (Gods) descend to bathe in the lake between 3 and 5 am. This
time of the day is known as Brahma Muhurta (moment). Buddhists also associate
the lake to the legendary lake known as Anavatapta in Sanskrit and Anotatta in
Pali, where Queen Maya is believed to have conceived Buddha. The lake has a few
beautiful monasteries on its shores. The most notable of which is the ancient
Chiu Gompa Monastery,
which has been built right onto a steep hill.
It looks as if it has been carved right out of the rock.
The Jains and the Bonpas of Tibet equally revere this
spot with great enthusiasm. |
Adi Kailash
After you have measured and felt KINNAUR KAILASH
your eyes would be thirsting for more. And in fact, there are more! Adi Kailash
is an ancient holy place in the Himalayan
Range, similar to Mount Kailash
in Tibet.
The beauty of the peak lies in its remote location. The best way to see it is
to trek and trekking to Adi Kailash in the Himalayan ranges of Kumaun Region
near the Indo Tibetan Border in district Pithoragarh, is an experience in
itself.
Up to Gunji the route is the same. One walks 14
km, first to the left of Kuti and then right, to reach Jollingkong (4572 m).
The river Kuti and its bridge will perhaps may be under a thick blanket of
snow. And if they are then you can consider yourself lucky. The thick blanket
of snow makes it look magical.
Jonglingkong is called Chhota Kailash (small
Kailash) (6191 m) while its relatively small but beautiful lake is called
Parvati Tal. The reflection of the peak in the lake will leave you spellbound.
There is a temple near the lake, which is sometimes visited by swan-like birds.
A little distance from here the remains of a dry lake will leave you mystified.
Along the river Kuti are two passes - Lampia Dhura and Mangsa Dhura - leading
to Tibet.
The ITBP and SPF personnel will tell whether one can cross the Sinla pass to
reach Bedang. If this is not possible one will have to return. If there is
little or no snow, one should set out early in the morning to cross the pass.
The route to Sinla pass is under a heavy blanket of snow. One can see the
Chhota Kailash peak constantly from there. |