Kailash Mansarovar Travel Tips

Kailash Manasarovar Yatra is a once in a lifetime experience. It is real blessing for an individual to embark on this wonderful journey to the spiritual centre of the four religions: Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Bonpo- the pre-Buddhist animistic religion. Raghukul Holidays has been successfully helping people to fulfill this journey of their lifetime. They suggest a few tips which will help for a smooth, wonderful and divine experience. 

Guidelines for the Yatris

Climatic condition: 

Kailash Manasarovar is generally warm during days and cool during nights. The summer season (May to November) is most ideal for the yatris to visit the place for meditation and to obtain blessings of the divine and also for meditation. The average temperature during this season is around 15°C which is very convenient for the yatris to visit the temple and nearby attractions and to have a dip in the holy waters.  The temperature can reach sub zero during winters (December to April).

Travel Tips

Visa & Documentation:

Visa is mandatory for all foreign nationals including Indians to enter Tibet. A valid passport is a prerequisite in order to obtain Chinese VISA. 

Details of your Full name, Date of Birth, Occupation, Nationality, Passport Number, date of issue and expiry of Passport should be furnished 30 days prior to the trip. 

Two passport size photographs

Please note the VISA is not stamped on your passport but a Group VISA will be issued on a separate piece of paper by the Chinese Embassy

Transportation:

From Kathmandu till Kodari Border, tourist bus or van will be provided for transportation based upon the group strength. In the event of any landslide, the best available mode of transport will be provided for which additional charges will be applicable.

The group will be transported from Friendship Bridge till Zhangmu (8 km) in the best available local vehicle. If the road gets washed away, the yatris will have to trek for about 2 hrs.

A 4500 C C Land Cruiser will be provided from Zhangmu onwards for 4 persons in each. 

The camping equipments and Sherpa staff members will be transported in a separate support truck.

 Yaks will be provided to carry the personal heavy baggage and camping gears during the Kailash Parikrama.

Throughout the trip English/ Tibetan speaking guide and few Nepali staffs will escort the group for the camping.

Accommodation: 

Most of the times one will be away from modern civilization as Kailash Mansarovar probably lie in the world's most remote part. It is very important to be well equipped and self contained. 

The group will have to stay overnight whenever required in trekking style camps which includes accommodation in sleeping bags, two men tents and mattress. 

Simple Guest house accommodation comprising of dormitory, common bathrooms and toilets will be provided wherever available. However, hot water will be provided in every room for refreshing and for drinking.

Use of candles inside the tents is strictly prohibited due to risk of fire accidents. Use of torch light is suggested inside the tents. 

Health specifications

The yatris to embark on this journey need to submit a health certificate attested by a reputed doctor confirming the fitness of the participant to travel in altitudes of 5700 meters.

The yatris will have to carry a first aid kit should containing the following items:  

Antiseptic cream or wound disinfectant like iodine 

Antifungal ointment and Neosporin Powder

Antibiotics, antidiarrheals, Lozenges like Strepsils (in plenty)

General painkillers or Anti-inflammatory like Brufen, Avil, Blister Treatment and Foot care ointments

Sunscreen oil, chap sticks and Cold cream

Thermometer

Band-aids, elastic bandages, adhesive roll and strips, gauze pads, moleskin

ORS sachets like Electral, Vicks vaporub and inhaler.

Please check with your doctors regarding antibiotics, antidiarrheals and other necessary medicines.

Other equipments

Porter will be provided for the yatris to carry the bulky luggage. You can carry a small back pack which will contain: 

Water bottle filled with water, snacks, dry fruits

Knife, Small scissors, safety pins 

Torch, waterproof matches, lighter

Map, Camera, film

Clothing

Although it will be warm inside the vehicle but you will begin to experience the cold winds of the Tibetan Plateau once you step out. Suggested clothing includes:

Warm thin and thick pullover one each, Warm Windproof jacket

2 Warm pants 

4 Full sleeve cotton T-Shirts

2 Long Thermal under pants, Thermal vest and warm full T-shirts

Warm gloves, Monkey Cap, Raincoat with hood, Sun hat

Ankle high boots to avoid any muscular sprain

Rubber sandal, Light tennis shoes, 6 warm woolen socks, and extra shoe laces

1 Big towel and one small hand towel

Toiletries with washing solution, soap, etc.

Plenty of handkerchief and Paper tissue

Tips during the Trip

Don’t point metallic objects upwards during electric storms as they can attract lightning. Also, keep away from conical rocks and don't take shelter under a tree or on the top of hills. Open space is the safest and one can also sit down on a non-conducting sheet etc.

The shoes should be kept inside the sleeping bag during yatra nights, otherwise they may freeze.

Avoid exposure of hands and feet to extremities as it can lead to high altitude pulmonary edema.

Your body needs a lot of energy so consume lot of water and fluids

Good sunglasses need to be worn to protect eyes from snow blindness

Keep fingers, facial muscles and toes moving

Trekking should begin early in the morning

Always walk with a companion and do not get separated from the group

Eat appropriately 

Overexertion and consumption of alcohol to be avoided

If you want to travel to Kailash Manasarovar, then the following suggestions before the trip will surely help to make your journey a memorable experience.

Follow some routine exercises daily like walking (30 minutes), jogging, stretching, aerobics which will put you in the right shape.

Read books on trekking which will help you to deal with altitude sickness and acclimatize properly 

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Kailash Mansarovar story

Truly blessed is one who gets a call from within to visit the place where philosophers, holy sages and even Gods got submerged in a blissful trance. A visit to the most sacred “Theerta Sthaan” – The Kailash Manasarovar is truly a divine experience for all devotees.  The place itself radiates spiritual energy and if your mind is at peace the entire experience will be enthralling and blissful. Only the ordained can embark on a holy and spiritual yatra to Kailash Manasarovar. 

This place is significantly important for four religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Bon. There are many interesting facts and stories associated with this divine place which will throw light on why one is blessed to take up the Kailash Manasarovar yatra.

Facts about the Kailash Manasarovar 

Mount Kailash also known as Gang Rinpoche by the Tibetans is a peak in the Kailas Range or Gangdise mountains which is a part of the Transhimalaya in Tibet. This sacred and holy place is revered by the Buddhists, Hindus and Jains.   Kailash in Sanskrit means ‘crystal’. The Tibetan name signifies 'Treasure or Saint of Snow Mountain'. 

Significance of Kailash Manasarovar

The Kailash Manasarovar has a great religious significance in the four religions- Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Bon.

Hinduism

The Hindus believe that Lord Shiva resides with his wife Parvati in this legendary mountain. He sits in a perpetual state of meditation. In Hinduism, the Kailash Mountain is also synonymous with his power symbol ‘Om’. The Vishnu Purana, states that the four faces of the mountain are made up of crystal, gold, lapis lazuli/sapphire and ruby. The Kalpa Viruksha tree (the celestial tree) is also believed to adorn the slope. 

The mountain is linked with the history of the Ramayana. In order to revive the dead and injured soldiers of Prince Rama who were fighting the Rakshasa army of Ravana in Lanka, the mighty monkey ally of Rama, Hanuman was sent to fetch the ‘Sanjeevani’ medicinal herb which restores life from Mt. Kailas. Unable to recognize the plant, Lord Hanuman picked up the mountain and brought to Lanka. Once the herbs were collected, it is said that Hanuman intending to restore it to its original place, tossed the mountain back in the direction of the Himalayan range. But, as it was tossed from a great distance, it landed lopsidedly and some of the snow dropped into Tibet and it is now called Tise (Mt. Kailas). 

Jainism

The Jains refer to the mountain as Meru Parvat or Sumeru. It is here that the first Jain Tirthankara or leader, Rishabhadeva attained ‘Nirvana/Moksha’ meaning liberation or enlightenment.

Buddhism

According to Buddhism, Mount Kailash is the abode of the enlightened soul ‘Buddha’ who represents supreme bliss. For Buddhists it is the place of Chakrasamvara or Demchog. They also believe it to be the navel of the universe. 

Bon

In Bon religion which is similar to Buddhism it is considered to be the home of the Sky goddess ‘Sipaimen’. It is believed that this is a mystical region and the Swastika Mountain is the seat of all spiritual power. 

It is also believed that Guru Nanak meditated here. 

The mountain lies near Lake Manasarovar and Lake Rakshastal and is the Kailash-Manasarovar region is the source of the Holy Rivers like Indus, Tsangpo/Brahmaputra, Karnali and Sutletj.

Manasarovar

The Manasarovar Lake is considered to be the source of all creations. Manas means ‘mind of Lord Brahma’ and according to the Hindu mythology, Brahma the Swayambu created this lake for meditation. In Sanskrit the lake is called "Manasa sarovaram", which is a combination of the words ‘Manasa’ i.e. mind and ‘sarovaram’ meaning lake. It is also supposed to be the summer abode of the sacred Hamsa goose which represents beauty and wisdom. Situated at a height of 4560m the lake is amongst the highest fresh water body in the world. It is also believed that between 3 to 5 am which is referred to as ‘Brahmamuhurtha’, the Gods come to bathe every morning in this lake. The lake is believed to contain the essence of all the Vedas. It is also the place of holy ceremonial bath wherein oblations are offered to the ancestors.  

Buddhists believed that Queen Maya was given a bath by the Gods in this lake before she gave birth to Lord Buddha.

Raghukul holidays has been taking many yatris on a pilgrimage to this divine place which is a once in a life time rewarding and blissful experience. One is sure to achieve inner-peace and good fortune by the holy ritual of ‘Parikrama’ or circumambulating Mount Kailash on foot and prostrating full-length. The Holy Scriptures state that one who takes a holy dip in the Manasarovar and carries single set of parikrama around the mountain is said to wash away sins of a lifetime and 108 such parikramas will help in achieving Nirvana or Moksha i.e., salvation(no rebirth). 

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Kailash Mansarovar Yatra - A spiritual experience!

Blessed are those who get the opportunity to traverse through a spiritual and divine experience while embarking on the journey of their lifetime- ‘The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra’. The journey to Kailash Mansarovar has been a life-changing experience for millions of pilgrims across the globe. Every year thousands of pilgrims experience of being in the most divine and spiritual spots in the world revered by people from different religions of the world. Since time immemorial, many pilgrims have been visiting this spiritual destination of Mount Kailash and the holy emerald lake, Lake Mansarovar.
Raghukul Holidays, one of the best tour organizers in Pune, have been helping many individuals to seek the blessings of the divine. Through this Yatra many individuals have the opportunity of feeling oneness with the divine and also a sense of self-realization. The journey to this isolated, beautiful and fascinating spiritual spot completely helps to transcend one’s soul and provide the most blissful and soulful experience of their lifetime.

Mount Kailash a magnificent and majestic mountain is located in the Southwestern corner of Tibet. This 21,779 feet tall beautiful mountain, is a part of the Himalayan mountain ranges and is the source of four mighty and sacred rivers of Asia- Ganges, Indus, Brahmaputra and Sutlej. This mystical and magical spot has been drawing people from different religions due to its divinity. The Hindus consider it to be the abode of Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati and the true manifestation of heaven. For the Buddhists this sacred mountain, the home of the Buddha Demchok, symbolizes supreme harmony. The Jains refer to the mountain as Ashtapad and it is here that the creator of their faith, Rishabhadeva attained enlightenment. The Bons consider it to be the spiritual seat of power.  The 3 day Kailash sacred walks or the parikrama starts from the Yam Dwar where one experiences immortality. After completion of circumambulation of the mountain the soul gets cleansed and is liberated from your sins.

The eternal jade blue Manasarovar Lake created by Lord Brahma lies 20 kilometers away from Mount Kailash and is considered to be the epitome of purity. This sacred lake considered by Buddhists to be the place where Queen Maya conceived Lord Buddha,  is believed to have healing properties and has the power to wash away one’s sins of a lifetime. An individual can experience a sudden surge of energy within themselves, the reason for which is unknown. During Brahma Muhurta (between 3 and 5 am) it is believed that the Gods descend to bathe in the lake.  One gets transformed into a state of tranquility, peace and bliss while meditating in the surreal and peaceful surroundings of this beautiful pristine lake.

The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, a sojourn to this roof of the world is truly an intense spiritual experience. Every single yatri despite the arduous and trying journey undergo an enlightening transformation which is beyond words. This rewarding experience cannot be described but needs to be felt.
This mystical and magical spot has been drawing people from across the world. Come be a part of this beautiful and enlightening journey with Raghukul Holidays. We have a team of highly skilled, dedicated and trained volunteers who will help you to take upon this memorable journey with ease and comfort. All our fellow travelers who have embarked on this spiritual journey have returned from this trip with a positive transformation. Get a chance to have a peek into your own self through this wondrous and incredible experience.

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