Kailash Mansarovar

 

• What is Kailash Mansarovar

Kailash Mansarovar also known as Mount Kailash is a Mountain peak in the upper Himalayan region of Tibet(China). Mount Kailash holds immense value in various religions as well as to scientists and adventure seekers.

Mount Kailash is in the Burang country area, at a height of 6638 meters above sea level in Tibet(China). 

First in the Panch Kailash and the only one outside India, Mount Kailash is believed to be the home of the mighty Hindu lord Shiva in Hindu Dharma. 

Kailash Mansarovar is first in Panch Kailash, Adi Kailash is second, Shrikhand Mahadev is third, Kinner Kailash is fourth, and Mani Mahesh Kailash is fifth.

It is believed that lord Shiva lives here with his wife Goddess Parvati Devi, his sons lord Ganesha, lord Kartikeya, his beloved Nandi, and all the Ganas( mystical beings who are devotees of lord Shiva).

       Mount Kailash does not only hold spiritual significance in Hindu Dharma but in other religions also like Jainism, Buddhism, and Bonism which I will explain briefly in the article.

• Where Kailash Mansarovar is located

Kailash Mansarovar or Mount Kailash is a peak Situated in the upper region of the great Himalayan range in Tibet. The mountain has the shape of a Shiva linga at an elevation of 6638 meters. Kailash Mansarovar is one of the five Kailash and the only one outside India.

31°03’54.3″N 81°18’39.8″E  

• Kailash Mansarovar Altitude

 

S.NO.	Name	Altitude
		In Metres	In Feets
1	Mount Kailash	6638	21778
2	Lake Mansarovar	4556	14948
3	Rakshas Taal	4575	15010

 

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra

• When Kailash Mansarovar yatra starts

The pilgrims who have visited Mansarovar and all the travel agencies suggest the best time to visit starts when the ice melts and the breathtaking views are visible, trekking is easy and the weather becomes pleasant, and until snowfall starts again.

• Best time visit

From April to September.

• How to reach Kailash Mansarovar

There are so many ways, transport options, and routes to visit the mighty Mount Kailash.

There are options available for people such as cars, buses, and helicopters as well. Some pilgrims trek the whole route and don’t take any kind of transportation this is the way they test themselves and try to please the gods.

However, if you want to do it, here are some routes diversified according to starting point and transportation system.

• Route for Kailash Mansarovar yatra

1. From Lucknow India by Helicopter – Lucknow → Nepalganj → Simikot → Hilsa → Purang (Burang County / Taklakot) → Lake Mansarovar → Darchen → Mount Kailash Parikrama → Darchen → Purang → Hilsa → Simikot → Nepalganj → Lucknow. This may take from 5 to 10 days depending upon weather and halt duration.
2. From Kathmandu by Bus – Kathmandu — Syabrubesi — Kyirong County — Dongba / Saga — Lake Mansarovar — Darchen — Mount Kailash Parikrama — Darchen — Dongba / Saga — Kyirong County — Kathmandu. This may take from 14 to 17 depending upon weather and halt duration.
3. From Delhi via Uttarakhand by Bus and 4Χ4 vehicles – Delhi — Dharchula — Bundi — Gunji — Kalapani — Nabidhang — Lipulekh Pass — Taklakot — Darchen — Mount Kailash (Yam Dwar & Parikrama) — Mansarovar Lake (Qugu) — Taklakot — Lipulekh Pass — Gunji — Bundi — Dharchula — Delhi. This may take from 18 to 25 days depending upon weather and halt duration.
4. From Nathula-Pass Sikkim by Bus – Delhi — Gangtok — 15th Mile — Sherathang — Kangma — Lazi — Zhongba — Darchen — Mount Kailash (Yam Dwar & Parikrama) — Mansarovar Lake (Qugu) — Zhongba — Lazi — Kangma — Gangtok — Delhi. This May take from 20 to 25 days depending upon weather and halt duration. 

   

• Who can go to Kailash Mansarovar

Mount Kailash is a mountain peak that holds tremendous spiritual value in many religions across the world. This is the main reason for people across the world to visit Mount Kailash but the Burang Country area of Tibet where Mount Kailash is situated is in a disputed area that China holds.

China issues the visa and permits to visit Mount Kailash. So anyone who can get a visa, permit, and medical fitness certificate to go to the high-elevation area can visit Mount Kailash.

What is lake Mansarovar

There are two natural lakes alongside Kailash Mansarovar one is Mansarovar Taal (Lake) and the second is Rakshas Taal (Lake).

Lake Mansarovar is one of the Highest freshwater lakes in the world at a staggering height of 14948 feet and Rakshas Taal(Lake) is one of the highest saltwater lakes at 15010 feet above sea level.

Mansarovar taal is believed to be made by Devtas(Lords of Heaven). Mansarovar is a freshwater lake at a height of almost 15000 feet above sea level, the water in Mansarovar Lake remains calm in any given weather condition.

Rakshas taal is believed to be made by Ravan himself(Yes the same Ravan, ruler of Lanka who was killed By Lord Ram). Ravan was a great devotee of lord Shiva and visited Kailash Mansarovar regularly. When he found that Devtas had made a lake beside Mount Kailash then he also made a saltwater lake west of Lake Mansarovar at the height of 15010 feet above sea level to please Lord Shiva and to show his superiority and establish his dominance over the Devtas.

Is Kailash Mansarovar visible from India

Yes, Mount Kailash is visible from India, visitors can see the mountain area from the old Lipu Lekh Pass in Uttarakhand. 30°14’11.0″N 81°01’35.4″E

• Story

Recently some local people of Vyas Valley along with some trekkers and tourists in Uttarakhand claimed to see Mount Kailash or Bada Kailash from “LIPU LEKH” a mountain pass in Uttarakhand’s Vyas Valley near Nabhi Dhang After their claim went viral in the area and on social media it was later confirmed affirmatively by the Indian army and other officials.

• Accessibility

To see Mount Kailash pilgrims reach Nabhi Dhang first and trek for 1 km. To get to Lipu Lekh pass at an altitude of nearly 18000 feet, then this spot provides the breathtaking majestic view of Mount Kailash.

• Route of Lipu Lekh pass

Delhi → (500 km)Pithoragarh → (90 km)Dharchula → (55 km)Bundi → (25 km)Gunji → (10 km)Kalapani → (10 km)NabhiDhang → (1 km)Lipu Lekh →NabhiDhang → Kalapani → Gunji → Bundi → Dharchula → Pithoragarh → Delhi

• Local terms 

Sometimes local people refer to Mount Kailash as Bada Kailash and Adi Kailash as Chhota Kailash. Nabhi Dhang is a small town that provides the viewpoint of OM PARVAT in Adi Kailash and OM Parvat yatra.

• Precautions

Lipu Lekh is a high-elevation mountain pass so it is recommended that you always keep an eye on your health if any symptoms of acute mountain sickness like sudden headache, nauseousness, extreme gastric, and uncontrollable breathing occur get to the nearest K.M.V.N. medical facility immediately.

• Kailash Mansarovar from India

There are so many routes that lead to Mount Kailash yatra and the Mount Kailash circuit.

There is a route that starts from Lucknow and goes to Nepal via Nepalganj, Simikot, Hilsa, and Burang country by air. 

Another route goes via Kathmandu(the Capital of Nepal), Syabrubesi, Kyirong County, Dongba / Saga, Lake Mansarovar, Darchen, and Mount Kailash.

The third route is a new route that goes via LipuLekh pass in Uttarakhand’s Vyas Valley by road.

The fourth and last route, the most used among all of them, is from Sikkim via Nathula pass.

Mount Kailash is in China and due to the conflicts between India and China and weather conditions around Mount Kailash sometimes the Chinese Government doesn’t open the pilgrimage. In such cases, pilgrims can see Mount Kailash without having to go to China from Uttarakhand’s LipuLekh pass.

 

• Kailash Mansarovar for Indians

People in India wherever they are from consider Mount Kailash a highly spiritual place and abode of Lord Shiva and his companions. Hundreds and thousands of Indian pilgrims go to Mansarovar every year to pay their respects and seek the blessings of lord Shiva.

Who climbed Kailash Mansarovar 

There is a local story or a legend of a Buddhist monk named “JETSUN MILAREPA” who was a Buddhist disciple, who once climbed Mount Kailash successfully in the 11th century.

Milarepa was believed to be a singer, a poet, a teacher, and a Monk in the Buddhist community and he was a great devotee and spiritual person. After climbing Mount Kailash JETSUN MILAREPA believed in finding the secrets that the world should not know, he said we must not disturb the one who is resting here and asked everyone not to climb the mountain ever. From that day forth climbing Mount Kailash in Buddhist Community is prohibited.

Why is Kailash Mansarovar unclimbed

Mount Kailash has the title of undefeated mountain at least not according to the official record. No event can account for any climbing history on Mount Kailash. Though many have tried and many have failed in their attempt to climb Mount Kailash, some climbers who failed against Mount Kailash have climbed Mount Everest which is the tallest mountain in the world.

There are so many complaints reported by climbers and mountaineers of mishaps like accidents on the slope, technical failures, sudden health issues, mental breakdowns, and many more. These complaints are the main reasons for prohibiting the climbing of Mount Kailash by the Chinese Government.

 

Kailash Mansarovar Tibet

As we all know there are Five Kailash Peaks in the world four of them are in India but there is one called Mount Kailash which is first among the five and believed to be the true abode of lord Shiva in Tibet(Chian). It raises the question of when and Why.

 

• When and how Kailash Mansarovar became part of China

As per recent history, Mount Kailash was never part of India although the presence of Mount Kailash in the old Hindu scriptures such as Skand Puran and Shiva Puran has been found many times.

There are two stories about Mount Kailash going into Chinese control.

1. The area of Mount Kailash was ruled by the Nepali King which he gave to the Tibetan King as the dowry for his daughter’s marriage and in 1950 when China invaded Tibet Mount Kailash went into China.
2. Mount Kailash was in the Nepali kingdom and Nepal lost it to China during the Sino-Nepal War, also known as the Sino-Gorkha War in 1972.

 

Why Kailash Mansarovar is famous

There are so many reasons that Mount Kailash is famous and renowned for. We’ll diversify these reasons into three segments first is SPIRITUAL second will be GEOGRAPHICAL and the third will be SCIENTIFIC.

• Spiritual Significance/importance

1. Mount Kailash or Kailash Mansarovar is home to Lord Shiva and his companions.
2. All the devotees of lord Shiva whether they are humans, other lords or Rakshas may be like Ravan came to seek MOKSHA and take blessings of lord Shiva.
3. There are two natural lakes alongside Kailash Mansarovar one is Mansarovar Taal (Lake) and the second is Rakshas Taal (Lake).
4. Mansarovar taal is believed to be made by Devtas(Lords of Heaven). Mansarovar is a freshwater lake at a height of almost 15000 feet above sea level, the water in Mansarovar Lake remains calm in any given weather condition.
5. Rakshas taal is believed to be made by Ravan himself(Yes the same Ravan, ruler of Lanka who was killed By Lord Ram). Ravan was a great devotee of lord Shiva and visited Kailash Mansarovar regularly. When he found that Devtas had made a lake beside Mount Kailash then he also made a saltwater lake west of Lake Mansarovar to please Lord Shiva and to show his superiority and establish his dominance over the Devtas.

Mount Kailash does not only hold spiritual significance in Hindu Dharma but in other religions also like Jainism, Buddhism, and Bonism.

Mount Kailash is sacred to four religions as

1. Hindu – Hindus worship this mountain as the home of Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati.
2. Jainism – Jain believes that the first Tirthankar, Rishbhdeva attained moksha here.
3. Buddhist- Mount Kailash known as Mount Meru in Buddhism is the centre of Cosmology.
4. Bon – It is believed that Bonism originated from the kingdom around Mount Kailash

• Geographical Importance

Mount Kailash is believed to be the center of the earth. Mount Kailash is 6666 km from the North Hemisphere poll and exactly twice from the South Hemisphere poll which is 13332 km.

Mount Kailash is surrounded by 6 other mountain ranges and the whole area is full of plants and grasses filled with medicinal properties.

• Scientific Importance

Interesting statement of time speed myth or fact you be the judge

Although there is no machine or way to measure that if time is moving slower or faster but almost all people like pilgrims, tourists, climbers, mountaineers, and even some scientists also who visited Mount Kailash have reported that their hair and nails have grown faster than normal almost the equivalent of one month in five to seven days.

 

Kailash Mansarovar and Adi Kailash

“ADI” is a Hindi word that means “THE FIRST” and Kailash is the abode of lord Shiva which means the First abode of lord Shiva. Adi Kailash is a mountain peak second in Panch Kailash, at an altitude of 5945 meters in the district Pithoragarh, Kumaon region of Uttarakhand India.

Adi Kailash is a replica of Mount Kailash of Tibet(China) also known as Chhota Kailash holds immense spiritual value in Hindu dharma as the abode of lord Shiva.

, these two mountains are not the same.

This question often occurs what is the difference between Adi Kailash and Kailash Mansarovar? People get confused between the two, well Adi Kailash and Kailash Mansarovar are totally different Mountains but both are devoted to the Lord Shiva.

Kailash and Kedarnath

 

Just like Panch Kailash which are considered the abode of lord Shiva, there are Panch Kedar in the northern Himalayan state of Uttarakhand in India. Panch Kedar is a series of five temples of Lord Shiva situated in different valleys.

Panch Kedar was built by the Pandavas of Mahabharat. According to Hindu mythology after the Battle of Kurukshetra, Pandavas were seeking for a glimpse of Lord Shiva to atone their sins in the valley where Shri Kedarnath Dham is situated today. 

Lord Shiva did not want to see them so Lord Shiva took the form of a buffalo to ignore them but Bheem(the second brother) recognized him, So Lord Shiva started to get submerged into the ground to avoid them but Bheem grabbed him from behind that’s why Shivalinga in Shri Kedarnath looks like the hump of a bull.

After grabbing him all the Pandavas started praying to him and asked for forgiveness for their sins. Since then the people are coming here to worship Lord Shiva and to atone for their sins, This is why Shri Kedarnath Dham has a Pandavas chamber in the temple.

 

 

• Name of the Panch Kedar  

1. 1. Shri Kedarnath – Shri Kedarnath first in Panch Kedar is situated in the Rudraprayag district at the height of 11600 feet above sea level. Hump is worshipped here.
   2. Shri Madhya Maheshwar – Shri Madhya Maheshwar second in Panch Kedar is situated in the Rudraprayag district at the height of 11475 feet above sea level. Nabhi(belly) is worshipped here.
   3. Shri Tunganath – Shri Tunganath third in Panch Kedar is situated in the Rudraprayag district at the height of 12073 feet above sea level. Hands and legs are worshipped here. Tunganath is also the highest Shiva temple in the world.
   4. Shri Rudranath – Shri Rudranath fourth in Panch Kedar is situated in the Chamoli district at the height of 11800 feet above sea level. The face is worshipped here. Rudranath is considered the toughest trek among the Panch Kedar. 
   5. Shri Kalpeshwar – Shri Kalpeshwar fifth in Panch Kedar is situated in the Chamoli district at the height of 7220 feet above sea level. Jata(Hairs) are worshipped here. It is the only temple of Panch Kedar that does not close in winter and remains accessible throughout the whole year.

So the difference between Kailash and Kedarnath is that Panch Kailash are mountain peaks the abode of lord Shiva and Panch Kedar are series of temples dedicated to lord Shiva.