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Shrines of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra |
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 Holy Mt. Kailash:
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Mt. Kailash, 6,740 m. is situated to the north of the Himalayan barrier, wholly within Tibet. It is the perfect mountain with awesome beauty, with 4 great faces. It is the spiritual center for four great religions: Tibetan Buddhism, Hinduism, the Jain religion and the pre Buddhist animistic religion - Bonpo. To Tibetans it is known as Khang Rimpoche (Precious Jewel of Snow) and they see it as the navel of the world. It is said that a stream from the mountain pours into a nearby lake and from here rivers flow in the four cardinal directions. The River of the Lion Mouth to the North, the River of the Horse Mouth to the east, the River of the Peacock Mouth to the south and the River of the Elephant Mouth to the West. Strangely enough, four major rivers do indeed originate near Kailash, the Indus, the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra), the Karnali and the Sutlej. |
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For the Hindus Mount Kailash is the earthly manifestation of Mt. Meru, their spiritual centre of the universe, described as a fantastic ‘world pillar’ 84,000 miles high, around which all else revolves, its roots in the lowest hell and its summit kissing the heavens. On the top live their most revered God, Shiva, and his consort Parvati. For the Jains, an Indian religious group, Kailash is the site where their first prophet achieved enlightenment. For the older, more ancient religion of Bon, it is the site where its founder Shanrab is said to have descended from heaven. It was formerly the spiritual center of Zhang Zung, the ancient Bon Empire that once included all of western Tibet. Bon people walk around the mountain in a counter clockwise manner, unlike the other religions.
Over the centuries pilgrims have constantly journeyed immense distances to achieve enlightenment or cleanse themselves of sin, braving enormous distances, particularly harsh weather and bandit attacks. |
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Kailash Parikrama: |
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The diameter of Mt Kailash is almost 52 kilometers and it is an important pilgrimage for Hindus, Buddhists and Jains. Hindus perform a parikrama, Buddhists call it a Kora. Tibetan Buddhists believe that a single kora washes away the sins of one life and that 108 kora secure nirvana in this life. Devout Tibetans often make the 52 km circuit in a singles day. Normally Pilgrims make the circuit in three days, but this also is difficult, particularly since the circuit, though mostly level, involves the crossing of a 5630m pass. For this three days you can hire and ride on Horse back/Yakback or porter to help you. Some part of parikrama you have to do on your foot even if you have hired the horse/yak.
Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims make a clockwise circuit of the peak. Bon-Po tradition is to circumambulate in the opposite direction. As you circle Kailash by the traditional rout, you will meet followers of Bon-Po making a Kora in the opposite direction. |
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Day by Day Details of Parikrama : |
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Day 01 - Start from Darchen and drive to Tarboche (13 km) and trek to Dirapuk (4860 m) 7 km/ 5 - 6 hrs.
After breakfast, drive approx. 13 Kms. to Tarboche, the trek starting point of Kailash Parikrama. Tarboche. (By any chance if you can not go for three days Parikrama, you can do small parikrama is Tarboche, which consider as outer Parikrama. They can go back to Darchen and wait for the group). The first day of our Parikrama is a gradual walk with multitudes of other local pilgrims chanting and praying. The trail leads us to few ups and downs till we reach our camp/guest house at Dirapuk (4860 m) 7 km/ 5 - 6 hours trek. Camping on the nice grassy meadows with a view of Kailash, north west face. Overnight in Camp / Guest House.
Day 02 - Trek to Dolmala pass and down to Zuthulphuk (4760 m) 18 km/ 9 - 10 hrs.
Today our circumbulation (Parikrama) leads to much higher side of the holy path just beneath the Holy Mount Kailash. The walk will bring us to one of the highest point at Drolma La, 5,200 m. before descending to the gradual field towards Zuthulphuk for the overnight stay after 5-6 hours walk. Zuthulphuk (4760 m) 18 km/ 9 - 10 hrs.
After early breakfast, group will set off as the sun's rays break over the ridges above. After the footbridge the trail rises up a rocky slope. Take this gently but steadily. It soon reaches a level walk. The peak of Mount Kailash rises to the right and can now be seen linked to a long spur, which joins the eastern ridge. This is the top edge of the glacial valley from which the Lhachu ('Divine River') flows.
This day is the climax of this holy journey & is the most difficult day of our journey. One has to pass through Drolma La Pass - 5680m - highest altitude on this tour. Physically it is the most arduous day. At the pass is a large boulder depicting Tara, festooned with prayer flags. Here too Tibetans leave a memento of themselves such as a tooth, a lock of hair or even a personal snapshot.
After perhaps 10 to 15 minutes, we descend a steep, rock-strewn path to the valley below. Just below the pass is Lake Gaurikund i.e. 'The Pool of Great Compassion'. Take great care now because it is easy to sprain your ankle or worse. You must negotiate steep staircases down to a snowfield. The only way down is to jump from boulder to boulder across a large rock fall. On the ridge above is a formation known as the Lekyi Ta-ra ('Axe of Karma'), as though one's moment ripen in an accident, suffering or death.
A final steep descending staircase brings you to the valley floor. From here it is still about 3 hours to the day's destination with no shelter in between. It is vitally important to remain on the right hand side of the river, the West bank. If not, you will get trapped, unable to cross it. The walk now becomes very pleasant and relaxing (as long as the weather is clear and there is no howling gale.) The path follows the gentle slope of the valley over grassy fields and clear brooks for several Kilometers before it narrows and turns further south to merge with another valley before reaching Zuthulphuk, the 'Miracle Cave' of Milarepa. Overnight stay in the Camp.
Day 03 - Zuthulphuk the place where the treck ends and drive to Mansarovar . (4750 m)
The morning can be spent exploring the caves and visiting the temples and shrine that has been built around Milarepa's cave.
One imagines Milarepa's disciples meditating here. Many of the caves contain meditation platforms, self-contained by dry stonewalls which divide them from their cooking partitions and entrance areas. It is well worth the short climb up to these caves before beginning the final stage of the trek. The winding gradual tracks finally ends our holy pilgrimage walk 10 km/ 4 - 5 hrs. Once we reach at the trek end point near Darchen, our land cruisers will be waiting to take the group back to Mansarovar for final Holy bath. (Those who could not do parikrama would be waiting to welcome other group members at this point). |
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Map |
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Holy Lake Mansarovar: |
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According to Hindu religion, the lake was first created in the mind of the Lord Brahma.[1] Hence, in Sanskrit it is called "Manas sarovara", which is a combination of the words manas (mind) and sarovara (lake). The lake, in Hindu mythology, is also supposed to be the summer abode of swans, who are considered as very wise and sacred birds. It is also believed the Devas descend to bathe in the lake between 3 and 5 am the time of the day known as Brahma Muhurta.
Mansarovar Lake lies at 4,556 m (or about 14947.5 feet) above mean sea level. It is one of the highest fresh-water lakes in the world [1]. Lake Mansarovar is relatively round in shape. The circumference of Mansarovar is 88 kilometers (55 mi), depth is 90 m (300 ft) and it occupies a total area of 320 square kilometers (120 sq mi). The lake freezes in winter and melts only in the spring. It is connected to Lake Rakshastal by the natural Ganga Chhu channel. The Sutlej River, the Brahmaputra River, the Indus River, and the Karnali River (Ghaghara River) all trace their sources to its close vicinity. |
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| Like Mount Kailash, Lake Mansarovar is a place of pilgrimage, attracting religious people from India, Tibet and the neighboring countries. Bathing in the Mansarovar and drinking its water is believed to cleanse all sins. |
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MAP |
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About Gaurikund: |
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While proceeding downwards from Dolma - La (Dolma Pass), a steep descent will lead you to Gauri Kund at 5608 m. Some call it the ‘Lake of compassion’. In the religious book Shiva Purana, this is the setting for the legend of Hindu goddess Parvati and how Ganesh (Parvati’s son) acquired his elephant head while bathing in the emerald waters of
the lake. Parvati fashioned an image of Ganesh from the
soap suds on her body, breathed life into it and placed it
at the entrance of her home to prevent anyone entering.
Lord Shiva happened to return at this point of time and
was stopped by Ganesha. Indignant at this affront, an
angry Shiva cut off the boy's head. Parvati was inconsolable and insisted that the boy be brought back to life. Helpless, Shiva took the head of a wandering elephant and placed it on the body. Life was restored and Parvati had her son back.
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About Mt. Everest base camp: |
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