A Date with Gauri Shankar !!

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Kailash Mountain and Lake Manasarovar

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Elevation: 6,638 m (21,778 ft)

Location: Tibet

Range: Trans-Himalayas

Prominence: 1,319 m

Coordinates: 31°04 & #8242;00 & #8243;N, 81°18 & #8242;45 & #8243;ECoordinates:

31°04 & #8242;00 & #8243;N, 81°18 & #8242;45 & #8243;

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" Goddess Parvati has taken the form of Lake Manasarovar. Shiva and

Parvati together are represented by Mount Kailash and Lake

Manasarovar, which together are referred to as Gauri Shankar. It is

believed that Ganesha and Kartikeya both came into being on the

Mandhata mountain here. According to the Ram Charitra Manas, Shiva

related the story of Ramayana to Parvati in this place. "

 

An illustration of the Hindu significance of Mount Kailash, depicting

the holy family of Shiva and GaneshaAccording to Hindu mythology,

Shiva, the God of destruction and regeneration, resides at the summit

of a legendary mountain named Kailasa. This Kailasa is regarded in

many sects of Hinduism as paradise, the ultimate destination of souls

and the spiritual center of the world.

 

Some traditions also aver that the mountain is Shiva's linga and Lake

Manasarowar below is the yoni of His consort. According to one

description found in the Puranas, Mount Kailasa is the center of the

world, its four faces are made of crystal, ruby, gold, and lapis

lazuli. It is the pillar of the world; is 84,000 leagues high; is the

center of the world mandala; and is located at the heart of six

mountain ranges symbolizing a lotus. The four rivers flowing from

Kailasa then flow to the four quarters of the world and divide the

world into four regions.

 

The largest and most important rock-cut temple at Ellora in

Maharashtra is named after Mount Kailasa. Many of its sculptures and

reliefs depict episodes relating to Shiva and Parvati, including the

demon Ravana's attempt to shake Mount Kailash.

 

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In Buddhism

The Tantric Buddhists believe that Kailasa is the home of the Buddha

Demchok (also known as Demchog or Chakrasamvara), who represents

supreme bliss. It is said that Milarepa, champion of Tantric

Buddhism, arrived in Tibet to challenge Naro-Bonchung, champion of

the Bön religion of Tibet. The two magicians engaged in a terrifying

sorcerous battle, but neither was able to gain a decisive advantage.

Finally, it was agreed that whoever could reach the summit of Kailasa

most rapidly would be the victor. While Naro-Bonchung sat on a magic

drum and soared up the slope, Milarepa's followers were dumbfounded

to see him sitting still and meditating. Yet when Naro-Bonchung was

nearly at the top, Milarepa suddenly moved into action and overtook

him by riding on the rays of the sun, thus winning the contest and

bringing Buddhism to Tibet.

 

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In Jainism

The Jains who refer to the Kailash as Mount Ashtapada believe the

founder of their faith, Rishabhadeva attained Nirvana at this place.

 

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In Bon faith

The Bön, the religion which predates Buddhism in Tibet, maintain that

the entire mystical region and the Nine story Swastika Mountain is

the seat of all Spiritual power.

 

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Pilgrimage

 

Satellite view of Mt Kailash with lakes Manasarowar (right) and

(Rakshastal) in the foregroundEvery year, thousands make a pilgrimage

to Kailasa, following a tradition going back hundreds of years.

Pilgrims of several religions believe that circumambulating Mount

Kailasa on foot is a holy ritual that will bring good fortune. The

peregrination is made in a clockwise direction by Hindus and

Buddhists. Followers of the Jain and Bönpo religions circumambulate

the mountain in a counterclockwise direction. The path around Mount

Kailasa is 52 km (32 mi) long.

 

Some pilgrims believe that the entire walk around Kailas should be

made in a single day. This is not easy; a person in good shape

walking fast would take perhaps 15 hours to complete the 52 km trek.

Many of the devout do accomplish this feat, little daunted by the

uneven terrain, altitude sickness and harsh conditions faced in the

process. Indeed, some pilgrims venture a much more demanding regimen,

performing body-length prostrations over the entire length of the

circumambulation: The pilgrim bends down, kneels, prostrates full-

length, makes a mark with his fingers, rises to his knees, prays,

then crawls forward on hands and knees to the mark made by his/her

fingers before repeating the process. It requires at least four days

of physical endurance to perform the circumambulation while following

this regimen.

 

According to all religions that revere the mountain, setting foot on

its slopes is a dire sin. It is claimed that many people who ventured

to defy the taboo have died in the process.

 

 

Location of Mt KailashThe mountain is located in a particularly

remote and inhospitable area of the Tibetian himalayas. Few but those

in the best health are able to undertake the journey even to the

starting point of the circumambulation, leave alone walk 52 km in a

single day. A few modern amenities, such as benches, resting places

and refreshment kiosks, exist to aid the pilgrims in their devotions.

 

When the People's Republic of China (PRC) invaded Tibet in 1950,

Tibet was closed off to the outside world and the pilgrimages ceased.

However, following improvement in Sino-Indian relations in 1979, the

PRC permitted pilgrimages to Mount Kailasa to resume.

 

Following political disturbance and border disturbances across the

Tibet-India boundary, pilgrimage to the legendary abode of Lord Shiva

was stopped from 1959 to 1980. Thereafter a limited number of Indian

pilgrims are allowed to visit the place, under the supervision of the

tibetan and Indian governments. It is a lengthy and hazardous trek

over the Himalayan terrain.

 

Alternatively, pilgrims travel by land from the capital of Kathmandu

(also from Lhasa where flights from Kathmandu are available)to Tibet

and thereafter in association with the Chinese government, travel

over the great Tibetan plateau (ranging 10,000 to 16,000 feet) by car

with practically no roads. It is a long journey with four night stops

in camps/local settlements, finally arriving at Tarchen (4600 m)

(said to be aberration of sanskrit darshan).

 

Walking around the holy mountain (a part of its official park) has to

be done on foot or pony; it takes three days of trekking starting

from a height of around 15,000 ft to crossing the Dolma pass (19,000

ft) and encamping two nights enroute. First, near the meadow of

Dirapuk gompa—2 or 3 km before the pass and second, after crossing

the pass and going downhills as far as possible (viewing Gauri Kund

in the distance).

 

 

Each stone in the lake is revered as a lingam. Every step taken in

this holy land has been blessed by innumerable pilgrims who have trod

this very path in faith, with prayer and humility. The air

reverberates with their vibrations. It is here that I hope to go, if

it be so destined.