Mount Kailash - The Greatest Of All The Earthly Pilgrimages

Mount Kailash is the most enchanting pilgrimage in the world and, for a Hindu, the ultimate one. It’s Himalayan and enchanting, the greatest and most demanding of all earthly pilgrimages. Mount Kailash in the Tibetan Himalayas is called SHIVA’S PARADISE. The 6714-metre-tall mountain is also holy for Tibetan Buddhists, who identify it with Mount Meru, cosmic centre of their universe. The foot of Kailash is sacred to Jains, who believe that their first Thirthankara attained nirvana there.

Not far from the fabled mountain lies Lake Manasarovar, circumference 88 kilometres. The great lake is so named because, Hinduism maintains, it was conceived in the mind of Brahma, the Creator.As per Hindu theology, Lake Manasa Sarovar is the abode of purity and one who touches the earth of Manasa Sarovar will go to paradise. One who drinks the water from the lake will go to the heaven of Lord Shiva.

The Mount Kailash region is known to be the source of four of four of Asia’s greatest rivers, the Brahmaputra, Indus, Karnali and Sutlej. “There are no mountains like the Himalayas,” says one of the Puranas, “ for in them are Kailash and Manasarovar.”

Pilgrims have undertaken the rigorous Kailash - Manasarovar (K – M) yatra for centuries. After the Chinese invasion of Tibet, travel to these sites has been guaranteed in the Sino – Indian Treaty of 1954, but the trail had been closed for 20 years after the war of 1962. Access to the area from India is via a high pass, north of Uttarakhand.

Actually the trek to Kailash – Manasarovar is very dangerous and arduous. Though the journey is dangerous, people like to go there because scriptures claim that those who pray before Kailash and bathe in Manasarovar’s holy waters are cleansed of sin and delivered from the cycle of death and rebirth. One can go for pilgrims trek only after passing the medical fitness test of the Ministry of External Affairs. (They send 16 groups every year).

Those who can’t climb and walk a long time can opt for ponies. Especially, the older people and ladies depend on ponies to reach up. Helicopter tours are also available now. This is the best place for those kinds of people who are interested in trekking and audacious journey.