Kailash Mansarovar — Some Little Known Facts

By Author: divine kailash
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The kailash mansarovar in Tibet fascinates pilgrims, scholars, researches and tourists alike but all for different reasons. The region has a rich history. There are several ancient stories as well as myths that are associated not just with the holy peak but with the entire region. The celestial beauty also forms a religious epicenter for Hindus, Buddhists, Bons and Jains.
Several thousands of pilgrims make it to the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra every year. While most of the people travel for spiritual gratification and religious reasons, there are others who take up the yatra for adventure, fun and research.
Whatever the reason, if you are planning to take up the Kailash Mansarovar Trek soon, these little known facts about the region will leave you mesmerized.
Some interesting facts about Kailash Mansarovar Yatra
1. It is researchers’ hub
Most of us know that the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is spiritually enriching and one that provides salvation to the pilgrims. But not many would know that this holy region is also popularly ...
... known as ‘navel of the universe’ and attracts several researchers and scholars from across the world for various studies.
2. It is the source of rivers that are religiously significant
While the region has its own religious sanctity, it is also the source of some of the rivers that are religiously significant to the Indian Sub-continent. All the four, Brahmaputra, Sutlej, Indus and Karnili originate around Mt. Kailash yet end around 2000 kilometers apart from each other!
3. Parikrama or Kora is a must
Apart from paying a holy visit to the abode of Lord Shiva, most of the pilgrims who take up the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra ensure that they perform the religious circumambulation, also known as the ‘Kailash Parikrama’. This involves circumambulating the fifty three kilometers circuit around the holy peak, Mount Kailash.
The clockwise circumambulation around Mount Kailash is also significant for Buddhists but they call the ritual ‘Kailash Kora’. Just on the contrary, the Bonpo pilgrims walk anti-clockwise around the holy Mt. Kailash.
4. Several religious beliefs are associated with the place
As per the popular Hindu belief, Mount Kailash is the abode of Lord Shiva. The followers of Shamanic Bon religion believe that the holy peak is home to Sipaimen or the sky goddess. It is manifested in the form of a giant mandala. Another popular belief states that Tonpa Shenrab Miwoche, the founder of Bon religion lives on Mount Kailash. The Tibetan Buddhists believe that Mount Kailash is home to Chakra Samvara Demchog and Dorje Phagmo, his consort. Milarepa, one of the great Indian yogis is also believed to live here.
5. The Mansarovar Lake
The stunning Mansarovar Lake that literally translates to ‘mind lake’ is believed to be a creation of Lord Brahma. It is a fresh water Lake that is blue around the shores and green towards the center. The devotees visiting the lake ensure they do a parikrama around it. The circumference of the lake is 110 kilometers.
While the locals can cover the distance in a day, the trekkers can take up to 3 days for the same. The lake is a breathtaking sight on a full moon night. The pilgrims believe that both taking a sip of water and taking a holy dip in the Lake lends spiritual bliss.
Several trekkers and mountaineers have made efforts to conquer the popular peak but Mount Kailash remains mysteriously unattainable and unconquered.
The best time to take up the Mount Kailash
And Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is between September and June. It is a good idea to plan your trip with some of the experienced agencies who know the region well.