Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2016

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:-

1. 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
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Get yourself checked up medically before embarking on this yatra to avoid unpleasent situation during Kailash parikrama.
8. 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,
9. 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
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. Take havan or pooja samagri if you want to perform pooja after dip in manasrovar.

Manimahesh Kailash

The Manimahesh Kailash , also known as Chamba Kailash, stands towering high over the Manimahesh Lake, is believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva. It is located in the Bharmour subdivision of the Chamba district in the state of Himachal Pradesh. The peak is 26 kilometres (16 mi) from Bharmour in the Budhil valley. It is one of the major pilgrimage sites in Himachal Pradesh. The Manimahesh Lake is at the base of the Kailash peak at 5,653 metres (18,547 ft) and both are held in deep veneration by people of Himachal Pradesh, particularly the Gaddi tribes of the region, as the abode of Lord Shiva
Legend

There are several mythical legends narrated on the sanctity of this peak and the lake at its base.Locals  believe that Lord Shiva created Manimahesh after he married Goddess Parvati.

They believe, Lord Shiva  resides in Manimahesh Kailash. A rock formation in the form of a Shivling on this mountain is considered as the manifestation of Lord Shiva. The snow field at the base of the mountain is called by the local people as Shiva's Chaugan (play field)

Kinnaur Kailsh (Himachal Pradesh)

The Kinnaur Kailash ( Kinner Kailash) is a mountain in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh. The Kinnaur Kailash has a height of 6050 meters and is considered as sacred by both Hindu and Buddhist Kinnauris. This mountain is sometimes confused with the Mount Kailash in Tibet.  'Kinner Kailash' is considered winter residence of Lord Shiva. It is said that Lord Shiva conduct a meeting of all Devi-Devtas on Kinner Kailash top.
Kinner Kailash is among Panch Kailashes, Shri Khand Kailash,  Mani Mahesh Lake,  Kailash Mansarover, Aadi Kailash.

source of info:http://allaboutkinnaur.blogspot.in/2012/04/all-about-kinner-kailash.html

KAILASH MANSAROVAR (Part-3)

Secrets of Mansarovar Lake and Rakshas Tal

 Manasarovar Lake is one of the highest freshwater lakes in the world, very sacred for Hindus and is round like the sun. The other lake Rakshas Tal (one of the highest salt-water lakes) is the devil’s lake and has the shape of the crescent moon. The two lakes represent solar and lunar forces, good and negative energies respectively.
Manasarovar and Rakshas Tal – are located next to each other and divided by a thin isthmus of the mountains. However, Lake Manasarovar remains calm irrespective of the weather conditions whereas Rakshas Tal stays constantly stormy. A single circumambulation of Mount Kailash equals one turn of the Wheel of Life and will wipe away the sins of one’s life.
According to Hindu mythology, Shiva resides at the summit of the Kailasha. It is regarded in Hinduism as Paradise, the ultimate destination of souls and the spiritual center of the world.According to a description in the Puranas, Mount Kailash's four faces are made of crystal, ruby, gold, and lapis lazuli; it is the pillar of the world; and is located at the heart of six mountain ranges symbolizing a lotus. From it flow four rivers.
.Gauri Kund, can be seen while going  downwards from Dolma Pass. The lake is also famous as “Parvati Sarovar” as this was the place where goddess Parvati had acquired her son Ganesha. Goddess Parvati had formed Ganesh from the soap lather on her body and breathed life into it.
Yam Dwar is situated approximately 30 minutes drive from Darchen. The exact meaning of the Yam Dwar  is “the gateway of the God of Death”. It is the initial point of circumambulation of Mount Kailash. 
concluded 
source of info :http://www.speakingtree.in/allslides/the-mystery-and-secret-of-mount-kailash
                      http://www.speakingtree.in/blog/kailash-manasarovar-home-of-god-shiva-mount-kailash          

KAILASH MANSAROVAR (Part-2)

Kailash Mansarovar- The abode of God Shiva- Mount Kailash

The Word Kailash manasarovar is derived from Two words Kailash + Manasarovar where Kailash refers  to Mountain (Parvat) -  home of God Shiva, where as Manasarovar refers to Lake near Kailash Parvat .It is described in Skanda Puran,that Kailash manasarovar is supreme mountains where God Shiva dwells. Manasarovar or Lake manasarovar is described as Supreme Holy Lake where God Shiva and Indra swimmed as Swan.
According to Hindu religion, the Mansarovar lake was first created in the mind of the Lord Brahma. Hence, in Sanskrit it is called "Manasarovar", which is a combination of the words Manas and Sarovar. It is  believed the Devas descend to bathe in the lake between 3 and 5 am the time of the day known as Brahma Muhurta,
Mount Kailash is the abode of lord  Shiva  and his divine consort Parvati-SHIVA and SHAKTI.The radiant SILVERY summit is the throne of TRUTH, WISDOM and BLISS-SACHIDANANDAM.
 The silvery mount is the apex where the sound and the lights merges and the true Yogi transcends both these and merges into OM. 
Mansarovar lake lies below Holy Kailash in Western Tibet 4560 Meters above sea level with an approximate area of 320 Sq. Kms. It is  one of the holiest & most revered lake in the Universe for Hindus. The circumference of Lake is 90 Kms. A ritual Bath at Mansarovar is considered to attain Moksha and a drink of its water relinquishes the sins of lifetime.
( To be continued...)

KAILASH MANSAROVAR

The secrets of Mount Kailash

 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 as the Hindus’ mythological Mount Meru, or Sumeru, 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, and its grandeur lies not in height but in its distinct shape – four sheer faces marking the cardinal points of the compass – 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, Surlej and Karnali, which is a major tributary of India’s sacred Ganges. To further enhance the symbolic mysticism, two lakes are situated at the base of the mountain – Manasarovar lake and Rakhshas Tal.
According to the writings in the Puranas, Mount Kailash's four faces are made of crystal, ruby, gold, and lapis lazuli; it is the pillar of the world; rises 84,000 leagues high; is the center of the world mandala; and is located at the heart of six mountain ranges symbolizing a lotus. From it flow four rivers, which stretch to the four quarters of the world and divide the world into four regions

ISKCON temple Udhampur (J&K)

ISKCON temple Udhampur, also known as  “Udhampur Dham”. is located In the middle of  Udhampur city in state of Jammu & Kahmir.
 ISKCON Udhampur was a vision of Srila Bhaktividhanta Prabhupada which was fulfilled by Srila Nava Yogendra Swami Ji Maharaj with blessings of his spiritual master Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. ISKCON Udhampur happens to be the biggest Radha Krishna Temple of J&K.This is one of the best architectural temples in ISKCON history.
On Feb 21 1987 Srila Nava Yogendra Swami Ji Maharaj laid the foundation stone for small temple on land gifted by his father. A small temple was constructed with time. In the year 1998 foundation stone was laid for main temple which was completed in year 2005. He has single handily arranged financial support from all over the world for this glorious temple. It was inaugurated in presence of His Excellency Lt. Gen (Retd) S. K Sinha PVSM, Governor of Jammu & Kashmir on the 108th year of auspicious appearance day of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Srila Prabhupada on Aug 19, 2005.

Source of info: http://iskconudhampur.com/iskcon-udhampur/