Namaste  

Mt. Kailas

Mt. Kailas, 6,740 m. is situated to the north of the Himalayan barrier, wholly within Tibet. It is the spiritual center for four great religions: Tibetan Buddhism, Hinduism, the Jain religion, and the pre-Buddhist animistic religion – Bonpo.

For Tibetans, it is known as Khang Rimpoche (Precious Jewel of Snow) and they see it as the navel of the world.

For Hindu, it is an abode of Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati.

For Jains, their first Tirthankar Rishabhdev Maharaj attained nirvana or freedom from rebirths here on Ashtapad Mountain. Next to Mt.Kailas is Ashtapad Mountain. Kailas Mountain is also known as Mt.Sumeru.

For Buddism, Mt. Kailas is the place of Lord Buddha (Padma Sambhava)

It is said that a stream from the mountain pours into a nearby lake and from here rivers flow in the four cardinal directions.

Four Great rivers from Mt. Kailas Mandala:

Indus(Sindhu)
The River of the Lion Mouth to the North

Brahmaputra
The River of the Horse Mouth to the east

Karnali
The River of the Peacock Mouth to the south

Sutlaj
The River of the Elephant Mouth to the West.

Holy Mt. Kailas Parikrama / Pradakshina/Kora or Circumambulation:

Mount Kailas – The Land where everything is SATYAM SHIVAM SUNDARAM

When we do the Parikrama, our body absorbs the entire positive energy radiating from the Holy Mt.Kailas, thereby helping us attain peace within ourselves. This is the place where one loses all worldly identities and experiences moments of absolute reality.

Why do we do Parikrama?

Parikrama is performed to help unburden yourself of the baggage of stress, negative emotions, and materialism with which you have walked on this holy land. It helps you to be able to get into your spiritual self and connect with Lord Shiva Himself.

Let’s see how.

Pra is an adjective which means very much onward or forwardDakshina means south.

Walking in the clockwise direction or towards the Right is Dakshina (South) is associated as a straightforward, compliant, submissive, and an honest, impartial, amiable, and auspicious gesture in praying to God.

We assume and believe God is on our right side and that he is being righteous in all ways.

While doing Parikrama you need to practice the following:

  • The first is to shed and unwind yourself from your worldly possessions and materialism
  • The second is to disconnect yourself from relationships from your near and dear ones and your relatives. This means no attachments
  • Lastly, you should unwind and disconnect from your ego and your sense of self.

Kailas Parikrama (Day by Day)

Total Parikrama: total Parikrama is 52 km, out of which 20km is by bus. The remaining 32 km is on foot or horseback. Out of the 32km, 4 km is compulsory on foot

The diameter of Mount Kailas is almost 52 kilometers. Hindus perform a parikrama, Buddhists call it a Kora. Tibetan Buddhists believe that a single kora washes away the sins of one life and that 108koras can help one attain nirvana in this life. Normally, Pilgrims complete the circuit in three days, but this also is difficult.

This is because the circuit, though mostly level, involves the crossing of a 5600m pass (Dolma Pass). For these three days, you can hire and ride on horseback/yak back or get a porter to help you. Some part of the parikrama has to be covered on foot even if you have hired a horse.

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