Place
: North of the Himalayan barrier, wholly within Tibet.
Significance : A Sacred Pilgrimage Centre
Mount Kailash at a height of 6,740 mtrs. is located to the north of the
Himalayan barrier, entirely within Tibet. It is the perfect mountain with
majestic beauty and 4 great faces. Mount Kailash is the spiritual centre for
four great religions - Tibetan Buddhism, Hinduism, the Jain religion and the
pre-Buddhist animistic religion - Bonpo. To Tibetans it is known as Khang
Rimpoche (Precious Jewel of Snow) and they see it as the navel of the world.
It is said that a stream from the mountain pours into a nearby lake and from
here rivers flow in the four cardinal directions.
Strangely enough, four major rivers do indeed emerges near Kailash, the
Indus, the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra), the Karnali and the Sutlej.
For the Hindus Mount Kailash is the earthly manifestation of Mt. Meru,
their spritual centre of the universe, described as a fanatastic world
pillar 84,000 miles high, around which all else revolves, its roots in the
lowest hell and its summit kissing the heavens. On the top lives their most
revered God, Shiva, and his consort Parvati.
Tibetans believe that it is the residence of Demchog, a fierce looking
tantric deity who resides there with his consort, Dorje Phagmo. This place
is special for the Tibetans also for being the place where their poet saint
Milarepa spent several years here meditating in a cave.
For the Jains, an Indian religious group, Kailash is the site where their
first prophet achieved enlightenment. For the older, more ancient religion
of Bon, it is the site where its founder Shanrab is said to have descended
from heaven. It was formerly the spiritual centre of Zhang Zung, the ancient
Bon Empire that once included all of western Tibet. Bon people walk around
the mountain in a counter clockwise manner, unlike the other religions.
Over the centuries pilgrims have constantly journeyed immense distances to
achieve enlightenment or cleanse themselves of sin, braving enormous
distances, particularly harsh weather and bandit attacks.
Reaching Mount Kailash
Throughout the journey you will be traveling in Japanese 4 wheel Drive Land
cruisers and no walking is required. A truck will be required for all the
luggage and camping gear except between Zhangmu & Kodari and while doing
the Parikarma. (Circumambulation).
Visas and Documentation
You must be in possession of a valid passport. Obtain your Visa for Tibet,
without which you won't be permitted to visit Mount Kailash.
Attractions
