As per the Hindu Mythology, Man Sarovar, Bindu Sarovar , Narayana Sarovar , Pampa Sarovar and Pushkar Sarovar are most sacred Lake or Sarovar and collectively known as Panch Sarovar. These five Sarovar attracts thousands of devotee to visit here throughout the year as it plays vital role in terms of religious, social and cultural life in India.
Lake Mansarovar and Kailash hill are considered as one of the holiest places, heaven and the most beautiful place ever on earth at the height of 21778 feet in the Himalayan mountain range in southwestern corner of Tibet, with 320 square kms in area, and circumference of Mansarovar lake is 88 kms. Every year thousands of devotees of Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Bon undertake the sacred journey through the mountains and plains of Nepal and China to reach this sacred land in Tibet and feel the life changing experience.
Legend and Importance of Man Sarovar in Hinduism
The prestigious Kailash Mansoravar, located at the center of great Himalayas catching all the attention of all the four religions, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Bon with ultimate faith.
As per the holy scripture of Hinduism like Vedas and Purans, Mount Kailash has tremendous significance as it is considered to be the home of Lord Shiva and goddess Parvati along with celestial beings. As per the legends, the lake Lake Mansarovar was first created by Lord Brahma in his mind, after which it was materialized on Earth. Thus in Sanskrit it is known as ‘Manasarovar’ which is the combination of words ‘Manasa Sarovaram’ which means ‘mind’ and ‘lake’. As the legends say that the lake is a bathing place for gods during Brahm Muhurta between 3 AM to 5 AM auspicious time.
The lake is also known for its summer abode for Hansa or swan which are considered as sacred in the Hindu Dharma with representing wisdom and beauty.
The lake Mansarovar is personified as the purest of pure, if one drink its water it is said that he gets cleansed of his sins committed over a hundred lifetimes and he go to the abode of Lord Shiva itself.
The Puranas hold that the mountain with its four faces made of crystal, ruby, gold, and lapis lazuli, sits at the centre of the world, surrounded by six mountain ranges symbolizing a lotus
This holy spot illustrates the Hinduism philosophy of Purusha and Prakriti - Lord Shiva and Goddess Shakti. The primitive sound Aum from the tinkling anklets of nature created the visible patterns of the universe and the vibration from the feet of Shiva weaved the essence of the ultimate truth. This is the heart of Indian Philosophy, culture and civilization thus grand Manasarovar reflects the total Shaivam consciousness.
Legend and Importance of Kailash, Man Sarovar, Ashtpada Mountaing in Jainism
In the Jainism, this is highly sacred place as the first Tirthankar Bhagwan Rishabhadeva attained liberation from the cycle of karma here at Ashtapada Mountain. Jain community firmly believes in the rebirth, ultimate aim of life, and concept of karma thus they eagerly follow Ashtapada mountain near Kailash Mount. Lots of people from the Jain religion visit here every year with the aim to attain the utmost salvation from the cycle of birth and death. This is one of the five holiest mount like Abu, Girnar, Shatrunjaya, Sammeta and famous as Ashtapada Tirth. It is believed that Chakravati Bharat the son of Bhagwan Rishabhdev had built palace ornamented with gems on the Ashtapad Mountain located in the Himalayas.
Legend and Importance of Man Sarovar in Buddhism
Mount Kailash is mentioned as Mount Meru in Buddhism and from hundreds of years Buddhists devotee visits have been going to Mount Kailash with believing that ancient Buddhas attained ultimate salvation – Moksha here. Lake Manasarovar is believed to be the spot where Maya conceived Buddha, the center of Earth and known as Anavatapta. Few monasteries were built on the bank of Man Sarovar Lake and ancient Chiu Monastery is famous one. It is believed that Lord Buddha stayed and meditated here for several times thus disciples of Buddha visit here for meditation and they have deep attaching sentiment with Kailash-Mansarovar, maintaining Mount Kailash as the centre of the world.
Hitory of Kailash Hill
The Majestic Parvat Kailash is not just famous for its shape and hugeness, but it is the symbol of spiritual center of the Earth. As found in one of the descriptions in the Puranas, It is termed as the pillar of the world with a height of 84,000 leagues and is located at the heart of six mountain ranges symbolizing the lotus. As it is the home of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, the mountain expounds the philosophy of Purusha and Prakriti that is Shiva and Shakti.
Around the great mountain there are many other places for the pilgrims to visit, one of which is the divine Gauri Kund, a group of 5 natural small reserves with emerald green water. The lake is known as the lake of compassion and holds very significant importance in the Hindu religion. It is said that the goddess Parvati used to bathe in the lake and here only the lord of good fortune the great Ganesha was born. Apart from Gauri Kund; Trirthapuri, Yam Dwar, Asthapad, Siwasthal and Tarboche are few other tourist destination near the Kailash.
Four Faces Of Mount Kailash
The great Kailash mount as the center of faith, religion, spirituality and earth for all four major and oldest religion of world, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Bon. Four sacred rivers Sutlej, Brahmaputra, Karnali and Indus emerge from the divine Kailash in the four different directions dividing the world into four parts. Devotee and tourist can attain the chance to view the all four faces of Kailash during the Parikram of Mount Kailash. As per the Puranas, each face of Kailash is made of a different Jewel, north is gold, south is Lapis Lazuli, east is crystal and west is ruby.
Pilgrim starts Parikrama of Lake Man Sarovar, they can enjoy the upmost beauty of south face mount Kailash. They can see the back side of Mount Kailash and the long line showed on it resembles the spine. So devotees consider it as the spine of Lord Shiva. North face showcase the brighter side of the Kailash Hill while sunrays fall on it, this looks like gold thus known as Golden Kailash.
To reach to east face is too difficult and from Dirapuk, gradually ascent towards the highest point Dolma La Pass and then descend till you reach to Gauri Kund. Until this, you are going to have a full view of East Face. From the starting of Kailash Manasarovar Trek from Yam Dwar, West face of Mount Kailash can be visible. It is said that the four faces of Kailash represent four different emotions, southern face reflects majesty, with fully covered with snow, western face embraces the aura of compassion, northern face is stark, forbidding and daunting, while the eastern, only visible from a long way off, is mysterious and distant.
Nearby Sacred Places from Man Sarovar
Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, spiritual, refreshing and adventurous journey itself but there are some other sacred and importance spot that must not be missed during yatra.
Gauri Kund also known as Parvati Sarovar.is attached with mystical stories weaved around this. It is believed that the lake is the bathing place of Devi Parvati where she created Lord Ganesha. Thus Gauri Kund is considered as key spot and mandatorily visited by each and every devotee during their Kailash Manasarovar Yatra. The splashing of the Gauri Kund’s water is believed to purify your senses and also the soul, also they bring back some water from the lake to their homes for the purification purpose same like water of Gange.
Rakshas Tal is also known as lake of devil or the ‘Ravana Lake. It is believed to be the home place of Ravana and so it was named as Rakshas Tal. It is located near Mansarovar and is recognized as the largest saltwater lake of Tibet. The lake has four small islands namely Dola, Topserma, Lachato, and Dosharba.
In Hindusim, Parikrama of sacred place are much significant thus how tourist and devotee can miss the Kailash Parikrama. Mount Kailash is known as the residing place of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. According to Shiva Purana, circumambulating the mountain helps in getting free from all sins. The circumambulation distance of 53 kilometers journeys is adventurous with extreme weather and much challenges of minimum of 3 days.
Nandi Parvat : Nandi is the vahan of Lord Shiva and thus it is believed that Nandi exists in the form of Nandi Parvat nearby Mount Kailash as it shaped as the Nandi. Nandi is worshiped as the messenger of Lord as devotee believes to pass their message in ear of Nandi to communicate to Lord Shiva. During the visit of Nandi Parvat devotee can witness of lots of spiritual sites.
Yam Dwar is the most prominent spot and the gate of ultimate salvation and to reach the adobe of Lord Shiva.
The Mystery related to great Mountain Kailash
Even today in the 21st century of advance technology and research, Mount Kailash stands with lot of miracle and unanswered questions. Many mystery like tourist feels the experience of the time travel where they observed the fast time and grow of hair and nail.
Mount Kailash is known for its changing position thus even today lots of people reach to highest peak mount Everest but no one can climbed on peak of Mount Kailash.
Another mystery is Om Parvat, Om is the most powerful mantra or word ever for Universe and formation of ‘OM’ out of the snow that has capped this mount Kailash.
The Rakshash Tal or Devil Lake and holy Mansarovar Lake known as the God Lake are clipped in the Mount Kailash, lying with each other but divided by a thin array of the mountains.
As per the scientific research Mount Kailash is believed to be the Central Axis of the world and is known as the axis mundi and as per the Russian scientists the holy Mount Kailash cannot be considered as a mountain just because its shape is too perfect as well as symmetrical to be formed naturally.
Route for Kailash Man Sarovar Yatra
Pilgrims can reach to Kailash Mansarovar from India by road via route from Sikkim, Uttarakhand and Kathmandu in Nepal. Recently Indian Government has built up shortest route to reach Kailash Mansarovar from India, the 80-km crucial road which connects the Lipulekh pass which is at a height of 17,060 feet along the border with Tibet with Dharchula in Uttarakhand's Pithoragarh district.
Best Time and Tips for Kailash Man Sarovar Yatra
Ideal time to travel for Kailash Mansarovar is from May to September, pilgrims can take holy dip in Mansarovar, complete their three days parikram. The main reason behind this timings are, the temperature of the surroundings near Kailash Mansarovar stays around 5 to 10 degree Celsius during this period. Another reason is devotee can enjoy the Parikrama, Rituals, and Holy Bath without major hurdle and health related challenges. During this time, devotee can participated and witness the sacred Saga Dawa festival of Tibet. This festival is popular amongst Tibetan Monks, local people and even tourists to do certain religious activities. As temperature and weather is the main concern during this tour, it is advisable to carry required medicine, woolen cloth and food.