“Bhagwan Shiv is formless and in form. Shiv is present everywhere. Shiv is in manifestation and before Manifestation. Shiv is Beginning and End. Shiv has no Beginning and no End.”
Kailash Manasarovar is a sacred Himalaya mountain situated in Tibet. Holy Kailash Manasarovar is considered the home of Lord Shiva. The word Kailash Manasarovar is derived from two words – Kailash and Manasarovar where Kailash refers to mountain and Manasarovar refers to Lake in the mountain. An imposing height of 21,778 feet, the magnificent and majestic Mount Kailash is more than just a mountain. Located in the Himalayan mountain range of the remote southwestern corner of Tibet. Kailash is not just one of the highest parts of the world and the source of four mighty rivers of Asia i.e. Ganga, Indus, Brahmaputra, and Satluj, but it’s also one of the most significant spots in the world, revered by millions of people from religions across the world.
Lake Manasarovar in Mount Kailash and Holy Mount in Kailash are two of the holiest pilgrimage areas to devotees of Hinduism. Each year thousands of devotees undertake the sacred journey through the mountains and plains of Nepal and China to reach this sacred land in Tibet.
According to Hindu religion, the Manasarovar lake was first created in the mind of the Lord Brahma. Hence, in Sanskrit "Manasarovar", which is a combination of the words Manas and Sarovar. The lake, in Hindu mythology, is also supposed to be the summer abode of swans, who are considered as very wise and sacred water 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, Brahma auspicious time.
In Hindu religion, it is believed that to make the arduous pilgrimage of Kailash and have Darshan of Shiva's adobe is to attain release from the clutches of ignorance and disillusions. The Jains call the Kailash Mountain as Astapada. They believe that 'Risabha Dev', the first of the twenty-four Tirthankars attained liberation at the Kailash Mountain.
The followers of Bon religion (Tibet's pre-Buddhist Shamanistic religion) call the Kailash Mountain as Sipai Man (Sky Goddess). In addition to this Bon myths regard Tise as the site of the 12th century battle of sorcery between the Buddhist Saga Milarepa and the Bon-Shaman Naro-Bon-Chug. Though Buddha is believed to have visited Mount Kailash in the 5th century BC, the religion of Buddhism only entered Tibet via Nepal and India in the 7th century AD. Tibetan Buddhists call the Kailash Mountain as Kang Rimpoche ("the precious one of Glacial Snow") and look upon it as the abode of Demchog (also known as Chakra Samvara) and his companion, Dorsephagmo. Three hills rising near Kang Rimpoche are believed to be the homes of the Bodhisattvas Manjushree, Vajrapani, and Avalokiteshvara. Myths say Queen Maya was given a Bath in the lake by the Gods before Siddhartha (now Lord Buddha) came into the world.
The followers of Bon religion (Tibet's pre-Buddhist Shamanistic religion) call the Kailash Mountain as Sipai Man (Sky Goddess). In addition to this Bon myths regard Tise as the site of the 12th century battle of sorcery between the Buddhist Saga Milarepa and the Bon-Shaman Naro-Bon-Chug. Though Buddha is believed to have visited Mount Kailash in the 5th century BC, the religion of Buddhism only entered Tibet via Nepal and India in the 7th century AD. Tibetan Buddhists call the Kailash Mountain as Kang Rimpoche ("the precious one of Glacial Snow") and look upon it as the abode of Demchog (also known as Chakra Samvara) and his companion, Dorsephagmo. Three hills rising near Kang Rimpoche are believed to be the homes of the Bodhisattvas Manjushree, Vajrapani, and Avalokiteshvara. Myths say Queen Maya was given a Bath in the lake by the Gods before Siddhartha (now Lord Buddha) came into the world.
In Jainism, Lake Manasasarovar is associated with the first Tirthankara, Rishabha. As per Jain scriptures, the first Tirthankar, Bhagwan Rushabhdev, had attained nirvana on the Ashtapad Mountain. The son of Bhagwan Rushabhdev, Chakravati Bharat, had built a palace adorned with gems on the Ashtapad Mountain located in the serene Himalayas. There are many stories related to Ashtapad Maha Tirth like Kumar and Sagar's sons, Tapas Kher Parna, Ravan and Mandodri Bhakti, among many others.
Bhagwan Shiv Shankar, the destroyer of ignorance and illusion, resides in the great mountain, Kailash, where he sits in a state of perpetual meditation along with Shakti Mata, Parvati. He is the beginning and creator of Yog, therefore, the ultimate renunciate ascetic, he is the god of all common beings, yet he is also the divine master of siddh yogis, sadhus, demi-gods and rakshas.
How to Reach Mount Kailash
Most pilgrims begin their journey overland from Kathmandu or Lhasa. From there, they travel over the Tibetan plateau (ranging 10,000-16,000 feet in elevation) in a rented Jeep. It is a long journey with four-night stops in camps, finally arriving at Darchen (elevation: 4600 m). Western visitors usually need a guide, vehicle, driver, and a military permit to visit Kailash, all of which are arranged on tours from Kathmandu or Lhasa.
Pilgrims to Kailash, after the difficult journey getting there, are confronted with the equally arduous task of circumambulating the sacred peak. This walking around the mountain (clockwise for the Buddhists, counter-clockwise for Bon adherents) is known as a Kora, or Parikrama, and normally takes three days. In hopes of gaining extra merit or psychic powers, however, some pilgrims will vary the tempo of their movement. A hardy few, practicing a secret breathing technique known as Lung-gom, willpower themselves around the mountain in only one day. Others will take two to three weeks for the Kora by making full body prostrations the entire way. It is believed that a pilgrim who completes 108 journeys around the mountain is assured enlightenment. Most pilgrims to Kailash will also take a short plunge in the nearby, highly sacred (and very cold) Lake Manasarovar. The word ‘manas’ means mind or consciousness; the name Manasarovar means Lake of Consciousness and Enlightenment. Adjacent to Manasarovar is Rakas Tal or Rakshas, the Lake of Demons. Pilgrimage to this great sacred mountain and these two magical lakes is a life-changing experience and an opportunity to view some of the most magical scenery on the entire planet. No pilgrims climb Mt. Kailash; all four religions believe it would be a serious act of sacrilege to set foot on its slopes. Legend has it that the only person to have reached the summit is the Buddhist champion Milarepa (who flew to the top in the 12th century) and that all others who have ventured to defy the warning have died in the process. The mountain is located in a particularly remote and inhospitable area of the Tibetan Himalayas. Only those in the best health are able to undertake the journey even to the starting point of the circumambulation, let alone walk 52 km in a single day. A few modern amenities, such as benches, resting places, and refreshment kiosks, exist to aid the pilgrims in their devotions.
God surely has major plans for all. It's just a Blessing to know that He thinks of us and loves us so much to do that and more for us. Have a wonderful journey!
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