Mount Kailash is acclaimed to be the holiest place on earth. It happens to be supremely sacred site of four religions and billions of people. However only few thousand pilgrims are able to go there each year, because of extremely difficult terrain and remote location in far western Tibet.
Mt. Kailash is regarded by the Hindus as the spiritual center of the universe, the axis mundi in Buddhism, Jainism as well as Hindu cosmology. The Axis mundi is literally the axis of the world. The axis provides a connection between the physical world and spiritual worlds.
This holy mountain rises to an altitude of 6714 meters in the Himalayan range,but its grandeur lies not in height but in its distinct shape and its solitary location, free of neighboring mountains.
The area around this great mountain is the source of four life-giving rivers; the Indus, Brahmaputra, Sutluj and Karnali, which is a major tributary of sacred Ganges. Two lakes are situated at the base of the mountain – Manasarovar lake and Rakhshas Tal.
We were fortunate to undertake this spiritual journey this year and I like to share our experiences and offer some tips to those who want to undertake this sacred yatra.
Different routes available are:-
- Traditional route through uttrakhand (Lipulekh pass route) to Tibet and then to Manasarovar and Kailash. Trekking is involved in this route and it takes around 22-23 days to complete this yatra. Route is tough.This yatra is conducted by MEA Govt of India
- NathuLa route. This route is suitable for senior citizens since trekking is not involved. One has to apply to MEA and if selected one has to come down to delhi, undergo medical checkup and if found fit and if name appears in selected group you can undertake this yatra. Cost around Rs 2 lakh per head. Duration is about 22 days. From delhi you fly to Bagdogra, by bus go to Gangtok to NathLa and then through Tibet to Kailash and Mansarovar.
- Plenty of Private trip operators are available in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Ahmedabad and Kathmandu etc,They start journey from various Indian cities or Kathmandu or Nepalgunj in Nepal.From Kathmandu, there is a road route via Kodari, Nyalam but this route is not operational since last year because of damage to the roads in tibet during last years Earthquake. Other option is by Heptr . Road route takes about 15 days and heptr route takes about 10-11 days.By Heptr route , from kathmandu you are taken to Nepl gunj by 30 seater plane and then to SimiKot in 15 seater plane. Subsequently 5-6 seater Heptrs are pressed to take you to Hilsa (Nepal) to Purang(Tibet) by bus and then to Mansarovar and Kailash. Some people join directly at Nepalgunj from Lucknow.
- Since weather is main consideration and space in small planes/ heptrs is inadequate, you should consider yourself to be very lucky if you can go as planned. Be prepared to wait for several hours to 1-2 days before you get the next flight. One MUST have lot of patience and willing to undergo little hard ship. Dont expect airport lounges. You may have to rough it out at whatever space is available. Be compassionate not selfish.
- When to go:- Yatra is undertaken from mid may to september. Avoid rainy season if possible. Avoid full moon trips since these are generally overcrowded and there may be 500-600 yatris at Hilsa or Simikot- places which are not geared to accommodate so many people.
- In Tibet you require chinese currency Yuans. This currency will be required to pay for ponnies and Porter during Kailash Parikrama. Better buy this currency in India or Nepal. Local guides charge exorbitantly at Purang. In Nepal one can easily use Indian currency but not in Tibet.
- Get yourself checked up medically before embarking on this yatra to avoid unpleasent situation during Kailash parikrama.
- It is preferable to buy a nepalese Sim , available at a counter in Airport itself, submit a copy of passport and a photograph. Roamimg is quite costly,
- If you are joining any group from Kathmandu, better do return reservation after a gap of 2 days to avoid cancellation and re-reservations which will be very costly. Since weather can pack up any time better to have cushion of 2 days. Better book with a group operating from your location to Kailash and Back to avoid these hassels
- Take a dip in Manasaovar lake preferably where rocky area and clear water is seen. Avoid marshy, slushy area for dip. Collect mansarovar jal and stones from lake as souvenires representing as shiv lings. If you are carrying rudraksha, bathe them as well in Mansarovar lake water to add to their sanctity.
- Take thermal inner wear, good torch, sun screen cream, thermos flask digital cameras besides the list of items your tour operator advises you, Take snacks, dry fruits , biscuits with you.
- Take havan or pooja samagri if you want to perform pooja after dip in manasrovar.
