Kailash Mansarovar Yatra; journey of a lifetime to Mount kailash, the home of the almighty (the lord of the lords), Lord Shiva, is truly symbolic of the ultimate divinity. Every living soul in this eternal world is spiritually connected to the sacred mountain of Kailash. Kailash exemplifies to the world that the circle of life goes on by the unified and divine love of Shiva and power.
In Indian culture, the number 7 holds an important place. It is an indicator of the flow of life in the entire cosmic world. Its importance is such that no sacred work is done without the influence of number 7.
Numerous examples like seven Pheras or (rounds) in a Hindu marriage, the Saptrishi or (seven sages), seven Suras in music signify the importance of the number. It is spiritually believed that the number seven describes the whole time and space pillars revolving around us. Similarly, the numerology of seven explains the positioning of mount Kailash as the seventh mountain amidst the mountain ranges.
Kailash: The Final Frontier
The captivating view of Mount Kailash is yearned by the eyes of millions of devotees. Considered as the final destination of the perennial devotion of Hindus, Kailash is not just a mountain in the frozen trenches of the Himalayas, but the holy residence of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
It is not only the devotees who make their way to this address, the vividness and hypnotism of Mount Kailash is such that no single soul is left unclaimed by it. Be it the pilgrims or the ever wandering groups of nature lovers, the enchanting view of Mount Kailash is no less than heaven drawn to the earth. It is like a dream come true for the pilgrims or the travelers looking for the unexplained mysteries of nature.
Being covered with ice for all the months, the mountain of Kailash is so sacred that forget about the climb, nobody is even allowed to touch it. The one most astounding fact of the holy mountain is that its eastern side is never ever visible. Due to this fact, the pilgrims traveling here have to settle with the other three sides of the mountain. Amazingly, all the three sides of Kailash flash a different view and story.
Different forms of Mount Kailash
On capturing the sight of the mountain from its south direction, one can actually draw an image of the three-eyed Lord Shiva’s face. Whereas, on looking at it from the west direction, the mountain seems like depicting the signs of Nagaraja Vasuki, which usually resides around Shiva’s neck.
As per Hindu mythology, these signs of Nagaraja on the mountain appeared during the time of Churning of the Ocean of Milk. Apart from such drawings, the best view of this divine shrine of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati rests at the northern side. Here, the image of the mountain impersonates a serious looking Lord Shiva.
Kailash Inner Kora: Circumambulating Mount Kailash
These magnificent sights of Kailash become visible only after travelling around 20 kms from the Mansarovar lake to the mountain.
As it is believed that mount Kailash was used in churning of the ocean of milk, one can actually relate it with the marks all around the neck of the mountain, which look precisely like rope marks.
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The south face of the mountain which is visible after traveling from Darchen to Lachhu valley boasts of a form of a staircase to the top.
It is said that this staircase leads to heaven and was also used by the Pandavas to ascend to heaven.
While traveling from Driaphuk to Kailash, the most incredible north face of the mountain can be witnessed. At one point, the majestic shrine looks very close, although it stays at a good distance all the time. From here, Kailash looks like a silver mountain as if someone has poured molten silver on it.
Little further from Darchen and pilgrims are welcomed with the south face of mount Kailash. Apart from the image of the three-eyed face of Lord Shiva, one can also visualize Lord Shiva on his carriage Nandi, if trying hard.
Everything during the journey to mount Kailash feels so meaningful and devoted to Lord Shiva that our imagination takes a new flight every now and then. So much so, that in whatever form we imagine Lord Shiva, we actually start to visualize it on Kailash.
One rare sight of the mountain makes the pilgrims draw the image of faces of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati together. On witnessing such a magical and enchanting view of the enlightened couple, one simply cannot ask for more.
Legend Behind Mount Kailash
In Hindu mythology, it is believed that once Lord Shiva was badly insulted by his father-in-law. The repercussions of this insult were so bad that Shiva’s wife Sati got completely immolated on fire. Grief stricken by the incident, Lord Shiva decided to quit the heavenly pleasures and started living in Kailash mountain as an ascetic. This worried all the Lords, as without Shiva it was not possible to run the world smoothly.
Thus, Shiva’s wife Sati was reincarnated in the form of Parvati. Goddess Parvati then traveled to Kailash and wooed the Lord. Therefore, the unification of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, resulted in the birth of Ganesha and Karthikeyan. This depiction of the story of mount Kailash has also been done in various sacred textbooks like the Shiv Purana, Ramcharitamanas and Shrimad Bhagvad Gita.
Geographical facts about Kailash
The holy mountain of Kailsah is situated in the Tibet region of the Himalayas. A prior permission from the Chinese authorities is required for (Kailash Mansarovar yatra) the journey to the mountain.
Elevated at an altitude of 20,000 ft above sea level, the Kailash mountain is spread over an area of around 48 kms. Such an elevation and the up and down rocky terrain of the mountain, makes the journey to Kailash a real challenge for the devotees.
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