Lake Mansarovar and
Mount Kailash ( Tibet )
Mount Kailash is the highest peak in the massive Gangdise mountain range
with an altitude over 6,600 meters, venerated by Buddhists, Hindus, Jains and
the ancient Bon religion of Tibet. According to the Hindu belief, Lord Shiva,
the god of destruction and regeneration, resides at Mount Kailash. It is also
considered to be the spiritual birth place of the entire world. Mount Kailash is
believed to have been formed 30 million years ago when Himalayas were in their
early stage of formation. Mount Kailash is situated in the south- western part
of Tibet, and lapping at its foothills are the turquoise blue, calm waters of
Lake Mansarovar.
Every year, large number of pilgrims from all different religions travel to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar to pay their homage. Four big rivers the Karnali, the Indus, the Sutlej and the Brahmaputra flow from it which drain the vast Tibetan Plateau. One circle around the mountain is 52 km long and takes about three days to cover it. It is said that a single Parikarma erases the accumulated sins of a lifetime and a pilgrim who completes 108 circuits of the Mount Kailash is assured enlightenment.
For the Hindus, the mountain represents the seat of Lord Shiva; for the Buddhists, a terrestrial projection of the cosmic mandala of Dhyani-Buddhas & Boddhisatvas - The Wheel of Life; for the Bon pos, Kailash was the sacred nine storey Swastika Mountain, upon which the Bonpo founder Sherab alighted from heaven.
Lake Mansarovar
Most pilgrims to Mount Kailash also take a plunge in the sacred waters of the near by Lake Mansarovar. Lake Mansarovar lies about 20 km southeast of Mount Kailash, which at 4,585m is considered to be the highest freshwater lake in the world. Buddhists believe that Queen Maya, the Buddha's mother, was carried here by the gods and washed prior to given birth to the Buddha.
It is believed that a ritual bath will deliver a pilgrim to Brahm's paradise and by drinking its water relinquishes the sins of a hundred lifetimes. Walking around the Lake Mansarovar one circle takes about 4 days, 90 km.
