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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