Pashupati nath Temple Kathmandu (Nepal)

The Pashupatinath Temple  is one of the most famous and sacred Shiva temple  located on the banks of the Bagmati River in Kathmandu city of Nepal. Infact, this Hindu temple is a collection of temples, ashrams, images built over many centuries along the banks of the sacred Bagmati river.

The twelve Jyotirlinga (in India) are the body and the Jyotirlinga at Pashupatinath temple is the head over this body.

Legend surrounding the Temple Origin

Pashupatinath Temple is the oldest Hindu temple in Kathmandu. It is not known for certain when Pashupatinath Temple was founded, but its  existence dates back to 400 B.C. The temple has the sacred five mukhi Shiv linga . There are many legends associated with this temple. Some of them are narrated below:-

The Cow Legend : Lord Shiva once took the form of an antelope and sported unknown in the forest on Bagmati river's east bank. The gods later caught up with him, and grabbing him by the horn, forced him to resume his divine form. The broken horn was worshipped as a linga but overtime it was buried and lost. Centuries later an astonished herdsmen found one of his cows showering the earth with milk. Digging deep at the site, he discovered the divine linga of Pashupatinath.

Other beliefs

 One story goes, in that Shiva and Parvati came to the Kathmandu Valley and rested by the Bagmati while on a journey. Shiva was so impressed by its beauty and the surrounding forest that he and Parvati changed themselves into deers and walked into the forest. After a while the gods began to search for Shiva. Finally, they found him in the forest, but he refused to leave. Shiva announced that, since he had lived by the Bagmati in a deer's form, he would now be known as Pashupatinath, Lord of all animals. It is said that whoever came here and beheld the lingam that appeared there would not be reborn as an animal.

Kaiash Mansarovar yatra (contd)

(Please read my blog dt 31 May 2016 to maintain continuity)
some more tips for this Holy Yatra
Who can undertake this yatra

• Any healthy person upto age 70 years is eligible. Since you require chinese permit and visa,they insist that all indian citizens should be 70 yrs or below.
•  It is advisable that persons having IHD, Hypertension, COPD, Bronchial Asthma, Joint pains, Obesity etc Must consult their respective physicians before undertaking this yatra.
• Yatri having minor illness must carry their medicines required during yatra, since those medicines wont be available during yatra.

What to carry

• Your tour operator will give you a list of articles to be carried.
• A duffel bag, back pack, Warm jacket,water bottle is generally provided by tour operators. Check with your tour operator before leaving home and carry these things if not provided.
• Carry woolens, thermal inner wears, wind cheaters, Monkey cap, Woolen socks, cotton socks, Thermos flask small,Torch, digital camera, video camera,trekking shoes, biscuits, dry fruits, snacks etc
• Medicines you are taking plus Crocin, Cambiflam, Oraindazole, Augmentin, Ciprofloxacin, Band aid, crepe bandage, moove ointment, Sunscreen cream.
• If you are interested in pooja after dip in Mansarovar please carry all pooja samigri like Havan, camphor, match box, aggarwati, desighee dipped cotton vicks, sandal wood samidhas, small haven kund, Mug plastic for bath in mansarovar if unable to take dip.There is no Pandit ji there unless one happens to be in your group. Otherwise pooja has to be done by your self.

There is No temple at either mansarovar or Kailash. You are supposed to take Holy dip for your self, your family members and ancestors in Mansarovar. Water is not very cold if you take dip in afternoons. Avoid marshy place for dip, select rocky area.Soap is not to be used. When taking dip bring small pebbles in your hand and carry them as souveniers for pooja at home.

• Walk slowly and steadily during parikrama, dont isolate your self, preferably take pony during parikrama. Take rest in between, take warm water at frequent intervals during parikrama.
• You can have Kailash darshan all along your first day parikrama till Derphuk. At deraphuk, you will have BEST darshan and you are face to face with Mount Kailash , You will forget all your tiredness once you have majestic view of Mount Kailash here. Enroute keep observing various mountains and you will surely see images of Ganesha, shiv ling, Hanuman ji, Nandiji on these hills.Keep observing and enjoying...the ultimate pilgrimage.
• At Dera phuk, one can sit infront of imposing mount kailash, meditate and observe closely Mount Kailash, you may be able to have Darshan of lord of Lords LORD Shiva

  

  Golden Mount Kailash at Deraphuk

  
  

  

  Majestic Mansarovar with Mount Kailash in background
  

  
  

  

  Mount Kailash seen during ist day Parikrama
  

  
  

  

  Pehla Darshan Mount Kailash on road toMansarovar
  

  
  

  

  Ist Day Parikrama

  
  

  

  Mansarovar vast and beautiful

  
  

  

  Pooja after Holy Dip

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...)