|
| |
| |
|
| |
|
The Holy Mt. Kailash - Mansarovar Yatra |
| |
|
 |
| |
| |
|
Introduction |
|
|
|
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 centre 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. Tibetans believe that it is the residence of Demchog, a fierce looking
tantric deity who lives there with his consort, Dorje Phagmo. For the Tibetans
also, it is a particularly special place in that their poet saint Milarepa,
spent several years here meditating in a cave. |
| |
|
A Shiva-linga shaped
Mt. Kailash from the Northern Face |
|
|
|
For the Hindus Mount Kailash is the earthly manifestation of Mt. Meru, their
spritual 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 lives 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 centre 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. |
| |
| |
|
Itinerary |
| |
|
Day 01: |
Arrive Kathmandu. Meet and transfer to hotel. |
|
|
|
Day 02: |
At leisure in Kathmandu. Obtain Chinese Visa.
|
|
|
|
Day 03: |
Morning drive to the frontier town of Nepal at
Kodari. From here, a short walk to the friendship bridge for the drive on a
local available vehicle to Zhangmu, the main entrance of Tibet, China at the
height of 2,300 m. which is about 145 kms from Kathmandu. In Zhangmu, you will
be received by guide from our Tibetan counterpart. After all the formalities at
the check post here, our journey continues for another 35 kms which can take
almost 3 hours through the up-winding road to Nyalam with beautiful scenery as
the drive brings us for the overnight stay at Nyalam(3,700 m.). The lodges and
guest houses here are very simple and basic. You can expect the unexpected as
the China Tourism in Tibet is slowly picking up since last 7-8 years.
|
|
|
|
Day 04: |
Rest day for acclimatization and local hikes
around. |
| |
|
Day 05: |
Morning drive to the first pass of Lelung La
at 5,050 m. From here a superb view of the high himalayas can be seen from
Gaurishanker, Shisapangma to Langtang Himal. From here the road diverts
towards near Shisapangma on the trail to Saga on the absolute windswept
landscape on the rough dirt road. Saga, one of the large village enroute to
Kailash. The drive can take approximate 5-6 hours depending upon the road
condition. We will be camping near the village for the overnight.
|
| |
|
Day 06: |
Another morning drive through the windswept
territory passing many villages and camps of Yak herders with the distance
view of snow capped mountains. After 5-6 hours of drive brings us to Paryang
for the overnight stay. |
| |
|
Day 07: |
From Paryang, our journey continues to Darchen,
the start of our Parikrama or Kora. The drive passes through open territory with
a view of distant mountains, Yak herders camp, if lucky you might come across a
herd of Kang (Wild Ass). The drive takes us to a high pass of over 5,000 m.
before we arrive at Darchen (4,480 m). Darchen is located beneath the majestic
holy Mount Kailash, a small village with couple of guest houses. During the
auspicious pilgrimage time, this place will be flooded with Pilgrims with
hundreds of tents all around. Darchen,the beginning and end point of the Kora.
|
| |
|
Day 08: |
The first day of our Kora 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 at Dirapuk (4,750 m.),
after 5-6 hours walk. Camping on the nice grassy meadows with a view of
Kailash, north west face. |
| |
|
Day 09: |
Today our circumbulation (Kora) leads to much
higher side of the holy path just beneath the 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 camp
after 5-6 hours walk. Zuthulphuk has a small monastery. |
| |
|
Day 10: |
The winding gradual
tracks finally ends our holy pilgrimage walk (5 hours) at Darchen for the
overnight. |
| |
|
Day 11: |
After completing the holy Kora at Darchen,
our next spiritual destination takes to Lake Mansarovar for the holy bath.
It is believed a ritual bath delivers a pilgrims to paradise and drink of
its holy water relinquishes the sins of a hundred lifetimes. The drive from
Darchen takes a little over 2 hours on the dirt road. Lake Mansarovar, one
of the largest salt lake in Tibet. We will be camping at the shore of the
lake very close to the monastery and its village. |
| |
|
Day 12: |
Rest day at Lake Mansarovar for dip in the
Lake and local hikes around. |
| |
|
Day 13: |
Retrace the journey back to Paryang, appr 5-6
hrs. of drive.
|
| |
|
Day 14: |
Continue drive back to Saga. |
| |
|
Day 15: |
Drive back to Nyalam.
|
| |
|
Day 16: |
Drive to Zhangmu and continue towards
Kathmandu after the holy memorable journey of a lifetime. Transfer to Hotel.
|
| |
|
Day 17: |
Free for souvenir shopping and other
independent activities.
|
| |
|
Day 18: |
Transfer to Airport for
International departure. |
|
| |
|
Click Here :-
For the Important Travel Tips for Mt. Kailash - Mansarovar Yatra |
|
| |
|
