TIBET
Kailash
and Manasarovar tour from Kathmandu
Few
foreigners travel to this remote western
corner of Tibet. For most that
do, there is only one destination in mind--Mount
Kailash. From time immemorial this
area has been sacred to Hindus, Buddhists,
Jains and the followers of Bon, Tibet’s
indigenous religion. Even today, pilgrims
from all over the Himalayan region
travel to Kailash to perform arduous
Parikrama or Khora (circumambulating of
the mountain), often prostrating themselves
the entire way.
Ancient
cosmography identifies Kailash
with the mighty mountain Sumeru,
the central peak of the world.
To Buddhist, the “Father Mountain”
represents the means to enlightenment;
Lake Manasarovar, the “mother
principle,” represents transcendental
consciousness. Hindus consider Kailash
to be the throne of Lord Shiva,
one of the three principle gods of the
Hindu pantheon, whose long, matted hair
forms the holy Ganges River. As
a Bon center it is the soul of the country
and assures protection for all Tibetans.
Scenically,
the area is outstanding. At 6,714 meters
(22,022 ft.), Kailash is a glittering
snow-crystal towering above the Tibetan
Plateau like a beckoning jewel, visible
from miles away. Manasarovar is
famous as one of the highest lakes
in the world. Four of the greatest
rivers of South Asia- the Indus, Sutlej,
Ganges and the Brahmaputra (the
Yarlung-Tsangpo In Tibet)- originate from
around Mt. Kailash.
Mount
Kailash (6714m), Lake Manasarovar,
and Rakas Tal (lake) are situated
on the high plains of the western Tibetan
plateau, between the mountain ranges
of Gurla Mandhata in the southeast
and the Kun Lun Mountains in the northwest.
The situation of these mountain ranges,
placing Kailash at their center,
mimics the Buddhist mandala (representing
the universe) and is not only religiously
significant but is also scenically beautiful.
Holy Mount Kailash (or Mount
Sumeru) is considered the abode of
the primary Hindu god Shiva. For
Hindus a pilgrimage to Mt. Kailash
assures rebirth to Shiva’s paradise.
For the Jains it is Mt. Ashtapada,
from where their religious founder, Rishabanatha,
achieved spiritual liberation. For Buddhists,
Mt. Kailash is considered the power
place of Shiva’s head Chakra and
thus the manifestation of the illusory
wheel of sensory emanation. Since Kailash
is Mount Sumeru its summit is considered
the heaven for higher level Gods, it is
also the five Buddha's heaven.
For
Hindus, Manasarovar is the Manas
or the soul of Brahma. And also
it is the place where Shiva and Parvati
is take baths. In this way Manasarovar
is considered the lake of Wisdom, the
abode of compassionate or peaceful Gods
and Goddesses. Therefore, Hindus often
come here to make the circuit of more
than 85 km around Manasarovar.
Drinking its elixir water or bathing with
it, one’s pollution of being born
by womb will be purified, and one can
derive wisdom. Unlike this, Rakas Tal
is considered the lake of power and residence
of wrathful or violent gods and Goddesses.
Holy
Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarovar
are not only important for living beings,
but for the dead spirits too. Since Kailash
Mandala is Heaven, taking the spirits
of the dead there is considered salvation
for them. The reliquaries of high Buddhist
Lamas, Sadhus, and their lay devotees
are carried to Mt. Kailash. Relics,
such as the hair and earrings of Shamans
are compulsorily carried to Lake Manasarovar,
for their salvation. In the same way,
the Hindu people‘s death spirits
are also taken to Manasarovar,
especially those who have become harmful
ghosts.
Why it is important to visit Pashupatinath
and Kailash in one’s lifetime ?
Mount Kailash and Pashupatinath,
in Nepal, are considered the residences
of the Hindu God Shiva. Hindus
recognize Shiva as the greatest Yogi,
as well as Pashupati. Since Lord
Shiva is considered the main god of Chodpa
in Tibetan Buddhism and Kapalika
in Shivaism, the cemetery (the place where
a life ends, and gives space to a new
one) is highly respected place of worship
by mystics and Sadhus at both Mt. Kailash
and Pashupatinath temple. It is said
that the God Shiva is considered non-
Aryan as the Tradition of worshiping the
Shiva Lingam and Pashupati derived
from the Dravidian culture of Sindhu.
In Nepal, Hindu devotees consider Kailash
the summer residence of the God Shiva,
whereas Pashupati Shrine is his
winter place. After the celebration of
Shivaratri (His birthday), it is believed
he moves to his summer place, bringing
spring to Kathmandu.
Importance
of Parikrama (Khora) circumstance and
why in“2002”
According to legend one Khora around this
holy Mountain cleans away the sins
of a lifetime; 10 circuits cleans away
the sins of one Kalpa (era) and 108 khoras
secure Nirvana in this life. Making
one circuit around the mountain in the
Year of the Horse (2002), is equal to
13 circuits in any other year. It is considered
the most auspicious year for the Kailash
pilgrimage, because that was when
it became a power place. After making
13 khoras one is allowed to make the inner
circumambulation. In this way the more
Khoras you make, the cleaner and more
pure you become. As you become more pure,
you are allowed closer to the core of
Kailash and nearer to nirvana/heaven.
This is why the paths of holy Mt. Kailash
are an endless stream of pilgrims
throughout the summer months.
---------------------------------::
TOP ::-------------------------------
