Holy Places In India

Mt. Kailash stands prominently in a remote south-west corner of Tibet, an amazingly symmetrical 22,028 foot striated pyramid with a diagonal gash on one of its faces. It has been described as 'compelling, dome-shaped peak, rising above a desolately beautiful 13,000 ft plateau of rainbow-colored rocks'. Mt. Kailash is called Kang Rinpoche, or the Precious Mountain in Tibetan. It is believed that poet-yogi, Milarepa (11th C,) was the only person to have set foot on its peak, and he accomplished the feat by flying there. Mount Kailash, which is believed to have been formed 30 million years ago when Himalayas were in their early stage of formation, is one of the most revered places in the Himalayas. Spread out on the Tibetan plateau beside Mount Kailash is the giant lake of shifting colours - Lake Mansarovar. Brahma, the creator, had a mind ('Man') for the creation of a lake ('Sarovar'), hence its name. A pilgrimage to Mount Kailash and a bath in the Mansarovar is believed to bring about salvation (Moksha). The circumference of Mansarovar is 88-km, its depth is 90m and total area is 320-sq-kms. The lake freezes in the winters and melts only in spring. It looks unbelievably fascinating on moonlit nights when an ethereal ambience pervades the atmosphere. The circumference of Rakshas Tal, also known as "Ravan Kund", is 122-km. A 6-km long natural channel - "Gangachhu" - connects Manas with Rakshas Tal. Mt. KAILASH & MANASAROVAR LAKE YATRA Kailash Parvat & Manasarovar Tirth Yatra (A pilgrimage to Mt. Kailash & Manasarovar) - 17 days Mt. Kailash, 6700 meter peak, also referred as the Meru, Sumeru, Sushumna, Hemadri (golden mountain), Ratnasanu (jewel peak), Karnikachala (lotus mount), Amaradri, Deva Parvatha (summit of gods), Gana Parvatha, Rajatadri (silver mountain) in religious scriptures, is situated in the Western Tibet. The beauty of Mt. Kailash, which looks like a symmetrical cone shaped rock capped by pure crystalline ice all the time, is echoed in various mythological and literary works, this is the place where Lord Shiva and his divine consort Parvati live. A three-day circumambulation (Parikrama or Kora) around Mt. Kailash, which is also considered as the navel of the earth, involves crossing 5630 meter Dolma La (pass) which is believed to belong to Devi Parvati. Completing a Kora (Parikrama) is believed to erase the sins of a lifetime. Only 30km from Mt Kailash is another important pilgrimage site, the beautiful and serene Lake Manasarovar. According to Hindu Mythology it was formed in the mind of Brahma, and the Goddess Parvati is believed to have taken the form of the lake Manasarovar. Taking a bath in this holy lake assures the deliverance from sins of a life time. Even drinking the waters of lake frees a human being from sins of all kind. Myth has it that the gods come to bathe every morning in this lake between 3 to 5 am and this time is called 'Brahmamuhurta'. Another legend has it that Parashuram's ashram also situated on a hill on the banks of Manasarovar. Brahmaputra, Indus, Sutlej, and Karnali, the major rivers of India and Nepal originate from here. The scriptures reiterate that a pilgrimage to these holy sites not only assures absolution of one's sins through generations but also forms the ultimate realization of one's spiritual pursuit. On this trip, we drive from Kathmandu to the Tibetan border at Zhangmu and continue drive to Nyalam for overnight halt. We then drive across the 'roof of the world' to Lake Manasarovar. After completing a Kora around Mt Kailash and a holy dip in Manasarovar we retrace our route back to Kathmandu. About The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra People have been visiting Kailash - Mansarovar for centuries. Almost all the major passes of Uttaranchal Himalayas lead to Kailash - Mansarovar. The important ones in the Kumaon region are Lipulekh, Lampiya Dhura, Nuwe Dhura, Lowe Dhura, Unta Dhura, Jayanti and Kungri Bingri. Since 1981, under the auspices of the Indian ministry of external affairs and with the cooperation of the Chinese government, Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam has been conducting trips to Kailash - Mansarovar through the Lipulekh pass. The number of people allowed visiting Kailash - Mansarovar is limited and it is hoped that in the near future, more Indian pilgrims will be allowed to visit Western Tibet, the region of sacred mountains and lakes. Legends, Myths & Beliefs It is because of Kailash - Mansarovar, which is 865-kms from Delhi, that Kumaon is sometimes called "Manaskhand". Many myths are associated with this unusual mountain and lake. The Buddhists, the Jains and the Bonpas of Tibet too, all revere this spot with great fervour and devotion. Therefore, it is not surprising for a devotee to come across the worlds "Om Mani Padme Hum" ("Hail to the jewel (of Creation) in the Lotus) written on stones and taken from Buddhist scriptures. The Bonpas make an anti-clockwise pilgrimage around Mt. Kailash whereas the believers of the jain faith specially visit astpaad near the southern face of kailash in the kailash --mansarovar region.