About the Place
The peak lies in the Ngari Prefecture in Chinese occupied Tibet. The Kailash Parvat is also called Kangrinboqe Peak and has an altitude of 21,778 ft (6,638 m). The high altitude freshwater lake named Lake Mansarovar is also associated with it. The lake is located near the mountain and is fed by Kailash Glaciers. Locals refer to the lake as Mapam Yutso.
The site holds great religious significance in the Hindu, Buddhist, Bön (a religion in Tibet) and Jain faiths. It is visited every year by tons of tourists. A great deal of its tourism is due to pilgrimage for religious purposes. The sight offers beautiful landscapes and is known for its calm ambiance.
Climate
Tibet has continental climate with extremely hot summers and very cold winters. The climate varies depending on altitudes of various regions as well. Most of Tibet experiences a dry climate with very low rainfall and snowfall.
The Kailash Parvat location is in western Tibet and the weather is usually cold around here most of the year.and at higher altitudes it gets even colder. Temperatures range from -12°C to 14°C throughout the year.
Best Time to Travel
The ideal time to visit the peak are the months ranging from May to mid-October. This is considered the best time for outdoor activities and occurs during summer and monsoon season. The Saga Dawa Festival which is a Tibetan Buddhist festival is held around this time.
Kailash Mansarovar Yatra
It is a spiritual journey in which hundreds of devotees participate every year. The two main aspects of the pilgrimage are performing Parikrama (circumambulation) of Mount Kailash and taking a dip in the holy Mansarovar Lake in order to wash away sins.
The Yatra can take anywhere from 10 to 30 days to complete and also consists of a medical health check up in Delhi. Also passports are a prerequisite for the pilgrimage as Mount Kailash is located in China-occupied Tibet. China also grants permits and visas for the journey. Visas are only issued in groups so the yatra must be supervised by tour operators .
There are also multiple routes to trek to Kailash Parvat.
1. Via Uttarakhand
This route is through the Lipuekh Pass in Uttarakhand. The treks are completed in batches with 18 batches comprising 60 pilgrims in each batch. The trek here is priced at around 1.6 lakh per person.
The trip is estimated to last up to 24 days for one batch. It also includes 3 days of preparation which is done in Delhi. The trip also covers areas that include Patal Bhuvaneshwar, Narayan Ashram, and Chialekh Valley. Chialekh Valley is also known as Om Parvat. What makes the mountain special is that the snow is in the shape of ‘Om’ on the mountain. Those staying in Karnataka can book a Bangalore to Dehradun flight and come visit the state.
2. Via Sikkim
The route goes through Nathu La Pass lying in Sikkim. The route is suitable for the elderly who are unable to undertake trekking and the path is motorable. The route is priced at about 2 Lakhs per person. Tourists are expected to be split into 8 batches with each batch containing 50 pilgrims.
The journey is expected to last a duration of 21 days and includes three days of preparation to be done in Delhi. On the trek pilgrims are likely to come across incredible scenic places like the Tibetan Plateau and Hangu Lake. Consider booking a flight to Sikkim to see the state.
Parikrama
Upon reaching Mount Kailash, they must walk around the mountain in either clockwise or anti-clockwise direction. This is referred to as Parikrama. Some people who are not able to perform the circumambulation on foot have the option of hiring a pony or a yak.
Significance of Mount Kailash and Lake
The imposing height of Kailash Parvat and its overall beauty make it a sight to behold. It attracts several visitors every year. It is situated within the Himalayan ranges and believed to be one of the highest points in the world. It is also the source of four mighty Asian rivers which include the Sutlej, the Indus, the Ganges, the Brahmaputra, etc.
However, the main crowd puller for the site is the religious and spiritual significance of the place. Mansarovar is composed of two words- ‘Manas’ meaning mind and ‘Sarovar’ meaning lake. As per Hindu mythology, the lake was first created in the mind of Lord Brahma hence its name. The Hindu faith considers Mount Kailash as the place where Lord Shiva resides and is hence, believed to be a demonstration of heaven.
Going by the beliefs of Tibetan Buddhists, the Kailash Parvat is the abode of Buddha Demchok which represents harmony. Whereas according to Jainsism, the peak is also called ‘Mount Ashtapada’ the religion’s founder Rishabhadeva, attained freedom from the cycle of birth and rebirth.
The Mansarovar Lake is a mesmerising spot that is situated at a distance of 20 km from the mountain and at a height of 15,015 feet. The lake is an epitome of purity and is believed to wash away sins committed by humans during their lives The lake is blue near the shores and becomes emerald green towards the centre.
Other Attractions on the Pilgrimage
There are beautiful places which pilgrims come across during the journey other than the aforementioned.
Tirthapuri
It is also located in Western Tibet and itself is a popular pilgrimage site along with Mansarovar Lake and the Kailash Parvat. The site is mainly known for its monasteries, geiser, hot springs, etc. Most tourists visit the site after completing Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. The place has been closely linked to Indian master Padma Sambhava (Guru Rinpoche) and his consort Yeshe Tsogyel.
The monastery complex contains two small temples.The footprints of Yeshe Tsogyel and Padma Sambhava can be seen in the upper temple to the right from the altar. A large circle with Mani stones can be found outside of the monastery. Legend has it that when Guru Rinpoche came to Tirthapuri the Gods danced there.
The hot springs are another attraction where pilgrims can take a bath in spring pools after completing their trek. The springs are shallow and there are two dug out pools. But there is no privacy or facilities here so visitors usually just dip their feet in the warm water and relax. White and red stone terraces surround the springs and many Tibetans stay there for picnics. The geyser was once very active but now rarely releases water. The water forms small calcium clumps collected by people for medicinal purposes.
Gauri Kund
It is situated in the Garhwal Himalayas at a height of 6,502 feet above mean sea level. The Kailash Parvat location is not too far off Gauri Kund either. The Gauri Kund is a hindu pilgrimage site and the base camp for a trek to the Kedarnath Temple. It is located in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand and is located on the banks of Mandakini River. The vivid greenery around Mandakini River flowing nearby and the mountainous terrain is a pleasing sight. Some also refer to it as the lake of compassion.
Yam Dwar
Its name literally means “the Gateway of the God of Death” and is the starting point of the Parikrama. It is visited by many tourists throughout the year. It is also the place through which one may enter the abode of Lord Shiva.
The Tibetans also hold the place in high regard and that is why every year a new flagpole is erected. This happens in the form of a ceremony on full moon day. The ceremony consists of Tibetans walking around the flagpole in circles in a clockwise direction. Music of different kinds is also played with Tibetans using drums, conches, horns, etc. to add to the celebration. The flag poles are referred to as Tarboche and numerous prayer flags are present.
Ashtapad
One of the most important tourist attractions in Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is Ashtapad which grants visitors the opportunity to view Kailash Parvat in all its glory from closer proximity.
It holds importance in both Hindu and Jain faiths. For Hindus, it is believed to be an abode of Lord Shiva. Jains, on the other hand believe it is the place where Rushabhadev attained nirvana. The site has a great calm ambiance and a spiritual vibe.
Ashthapad offers great views of Mount Kailash and also has the village of Darchen nearby which also has great scope for sightseeing for those on tour. The village also helps you see the day to day life in the mountains. Darchen doesn’t have hotels. But it does have guesthouses for visitors to stay at and even restaurants too.
Final thoughts
The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is a spiritually enlightening experience and one that’s bound to leave lasting memories. Apart from religiosity, the trekking provides fun and group bounding for the trekkers. A great option for friend groups as well. There are also certain guidelines to be followed to ensure things go smoothly. It is important to always stick with the group. Slow walkers can be placed at the start of the pack to reduce their chances of falling behind.
Another place where a lot of people get left is at checkpoints. Too often some people are slow to resume the journey after the break or are not present with the group when the trek is about to resume again as a result end up being left behind. It’s important to know the break timings and when journeys are to resume again.
Also these types of treks are not for beginners so if anyone has never been on a trek before don’t sign up for 20 day treks like these from the start. It helps to build confidence from completing smaller treks before going for the bigger ones. In conclusion, a trip to Kailash Parvat promises to be a great experience and one that can be undertaken by people of all faiths.
