The holy Mount Kailash, known as the Abode of Lord Shiva, is defined in the Hindu religion as ‘Heaven on Earth.’ The 22,000 feet of the tall mass of black rock covered by white glowing snow is stated to be one of the most worshipped mountains in the world. Every Year Thousands of Pilgrims around the world Visited Mount Kailash through Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.
The holiness of the mountain and the various legends related to it have been on the rounds even before the great Hindu epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata were written. Thus, it could easily be stated that Kailash is deeply embedded in the myths of Ancient Asia as a sacred place since eternity. Some texts even state it to be the centre and the birthplace of the entire world.
According to the Hindu beliefs, it is said that Lord Shiva lives atop the Kailash Mountain and spends his time by practicing yogic activities, making love with his divine consort, Goddess Parvati, and smoking ganja or marijuana, the sacred herb. They believe that by making it through the pilgrimage and having a divine view of the Abode, they will attain Nirvana and all their sins will be cleansed off.
Mount Kailash is sacred for many other religions as well. The Tibetan Buddhists regard the mountain as Kang Rimpoche, or ‘The Precious One of Glacial Snow’ and believe it to be the residence of Demchog or Chakrasamvara. The Jains call the mountain as Astapada and their belief is that this is the place where the first of the twenty-four Tirthankaras, Rishaba attained liberation.
The place is full of great mysteries, superior beliefs, and folklores related to numerous religions. The most important part of a yatra of the holy Mount Kailash is the circumambulation or parikrama around the sacred peak. The full parikrama or kora takes three days. Anyone who visits the place and indulges in the trek will feel the immense power and peace this place holds within. It is believed that anyone who comes here will be attaining enlightenment. Many believe that taking 108 full koras around the peak means assured enlightenment and deletion of all sins of a lifetime.
The best part about the sacred yatra is that it does not just consist of the Mountain; it also takes you in front of the Holy Lake Mansarovar, the highest fresh water lake in the world. Drinking its water or bathing in the lake will again, get your soul as well as your mind clear of any negative thoughts and will set you on track to attain Nirvana. Other than this sacred lake, there is also an adjacent Lake of Demons, or Rakshas Tal said to be created by the demon-king of Lanka, Ravana.
Taking a Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra is an experience of a lifetime and will surely give you memories to be remembered till eternity.