About Tibet Kailash
Mt.
Kailash (6714m) is the most sacred mountain in Asia. It is believed
to be the physical embodiment of the mythical Mt Meru, said to be
the center of the universe or ‘navel of the world’ . Mt. Meru is
depicted as a mandala, and its image occurs throughout both Buddhista
and Hindu parts of Asia. Images of Mt Meru occur as far away as
Angkor Wat in Cambodia and Borobadur in Indonesia. Mt Kailas is
holy to followers of four religions. To Hindus, Kailas is the abode
of Shiva and nearby Manasarobar Lake is the means or soul of Brahma.
Tibetans call Kailas Kang Rimpoche. Jains worship it as Mt Ashtapada,
the peak from which the religion’s founder, Rishabanatha, achieved
spiritual liberation. Followers of Bon-Po, the ancient pre- Buddhist
shamanistic religion of Tibet, revere Kailas as the soul of Tibet.
Another geographical factor that
contributes to the mystical aspect of Kailas is that nearby are
the headwaters of four major rivers of the Indian subcontinent,
the Sutlej, Karnili (a major tributary of the Ganges), Brahmaputra
and Indus. The mouths of these rivers ate more than 2,000 km apart,
yet they all have their source within 100 km on Mt Kailas.
The circumbulation of Mt Kailash
is an important pilgrimage for Hindus, Brddhistats and Jains. Hindus
perforn a parikarama, Buddhistas call it a Kira. Iou are welcome
to do either of these, or simply make a trek around the peak. Tibetan
Buddhists believe that a single kora washes away the sins of one
life and that 108 circuits secure nirvana in this life. Devout Tibetans
often make the 52 km circuit in a singles day. Indian Pilgrms make
the circuit in three days, but this also is rushed, particularly
since the circuit, though mostly level, involves the crossing of
a 5630m pass. A four-day trek is for more enjoyable and rewarding.
Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims make
a clockwise circuit of the peak. Bon-Po tradition is to circumambulate
in the opposite direction. As you circle Kailash by the traditional
rout, you will meet followers of Bon-Po making a Kora in the opposite
direction. When I was at Kailash there was a large contimgent of
Bon-Po pilgrims from faraway Kham and Nakchu. We were astounded
at the huge number of adherents to what has been described as an
‘ancient pre-Buddhist’ religion making the counterclockwise circuit.
There is also an ‘inner Kora’ that
passes two lakes to the south of kailash. Tradition dictates that
only those who have made 13 circumambulations of Kailash may follow
this inner route. This tradition is so important to Tibetans that
we were required to assure our hosts that we would not violate the
sanctity of this route before they allowed us to proceed to Darchan.
Manasarovar:
At an elevation of 4510m, is more important to Hindus than
to Buddhists. Hindu pilgrims make an 85km. circuit around Manasarovar
that is made longer and more difficult by marshes and complicated
stream crossings. The Tibetans, being more pragmatic, often make
a circuit of the lake in the winter when the streams are frozen
and the route is shorter. Near Manasarovar is another large lake,
Rakshas Tal, the ‘Demon Lake’ that holds far less spiritual significance.
Trithapuri:
It is situated 70 Km west of Kaiash
which on the bank of River Satlaj. It is very colorful area with
Hot spring. It is believed that it is the place where demon Bhasmasure
was burnt to ash.
The area is made from red and white
mountains
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