ENGLISH PRESENTATION

Topic – I went to Lord Shiva’s ParadiseA KAILASH MANSAROVAR YATHTA

I WENT TO LORD SHIVA’S PARADISE

This is a lesson written by the author Kashyap Shinkre,a Goa Hotlier, He took Kailash Manasarovar yatra in 2007 and here he shares his experience when he had been manasarovar yatra. He shares about the beauty of the place and

THE MOUNT KAILASH

A BO U T M T. KA I L A S H

Mountains, Caves & Valleys

Mt. Kailash is called Gangs Rinpoche in Tibetan language meaning "precious jewel of snows". The name originates from the year-round snow on its peak and its historical religious connections.Mt. Kailash is the highest peak in the massive Gangdise Mountain Range with an altitude over 6,600m (21,654 ft). The peak is very pointed and looks like a pyramid piercing the sky. Seen from the south the vertical ice trough and horizontal rock formation combine as the Buddhist symbol Swastika ' 卐 ', which represents the eternal power of Buddha. More often that not, clouds will gather above the peak, so clear days are thought to be a blessing because local residents can get an unimpeded view.Every year, thousands make a pilgrimage to Mt. Kailash, following a tradition going back thousands of years. Pilgrims of several religions believe that circumambulating Mt. Kailash on foot is a holy ritual that will bring good fortune. The path around Mt. Kailash is 52 km long. Some pilgrims believe that the entire walk around Mt. Kailash should be made in a single day. This is not easy. A person in good shape walking fast would take perhaps 15 hours to complete the 52 km trek. Some of the devout do accomplish this feat, little daunted by the uneven terrain, altitude sickness and harsh conditions faced in the process.

Mount Kailash (also Mount Kailas) Tibetan Call them as Kangrinboqe or Gang Rinpoche; Mt. Kailash is a peak in the Gangdise Mountains, which are part of the Transhimalaya in Tibet. It lies near the source of some of the longest rivers in Asia: the Indus River, the Sutlej River (a major tributary of the Indus River), the Brahmaputra River, and the Karnali River (a tributary of the Ganges River). It is considered a sacred place in four religions: Bön, Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism. In Hinduism, it is considered to be the abode of Lord Shiva and a place of eternal bliss. The mountain lies near Lake Manasarowar and Lake Rakshastal in Tibet.

MAP SHOWING MT.KAILASH & NEAR BY PLACES

MANASAROVAR LAKE

When the earth of Manasarovar touches anyones body, or when anyone bathes in this lake, he shall go to the paradise of Brahma, and he who drinks its waters shall go to the heaven of Shiva and shall be released from the sins of a hundred births. Even the beast who bears the name of Manasarovar shall go to the paradise of Brahma, its water are like pearls.

- The Ramayana

ABOUT MANASAROVAR LAKE

Manasarovar is holiest, the most fascinating, most inspiring and most famous of lakes and the most ancient that civilization knows , this the Holy lake Manasarovar or Tso Rinpoche ( Precious lake), is majestically calm and dignified like a huge bluish green emerald or a pure turquoise, nestled between two mighty and silver mountains Kailsh ranges on the north and Gurla-Mandata ranges on the south and between the sister lake Rakshas Tal in the west. This circular vast lake is at 15000 ft is a lake of purity and pristine beauty with a depth of 300 ft encompassing 200 Sq miles. Manasarovar is laden with infinite moods which are reflected in its water which changes color with breathtaking speed . Especially in moon lit nights the reflection of snow capped mountains and millions of stars in pin-drop silence transports one to an unseen and unheard world of ecstasy and the scene is simply indescribable. Only an inspired poet or the divine artist with his magic colors can describe the beauty, grandeur of sun rise and sunset at the lake A dip in its holy waters is soul-satisfying.

LAKE RAKSHASTAL OR LA NGA CO.

History:According to Hindu scriptures, this lake was created by King Ravana for the express purpose of garnering superpowers through acts of devotion and meditation to the LordShiva who was presiding on Mount Kailash. It was upon the banks of a special island in this lake that he would make daily offering with one of his ten heads as a sacrifice to please the Lord Shiva. Finally, on the tenth day, Lord Shiva was moved enough by his devotion and granted Ravana his wish to obtain superpowers. This lake is set as a contrast to the holy god-created Lake Manasarovar.

However, despite its notoriety, Lake Rakshastal bears no less beauty than other lakes in Tibet. Originally joined with Lake Manasarovar and later separated by geological movements, it is still connected with Lake Manasarovar by a natural channel, Ganga Chhu. It covers a total area of , at an altitude of . Though absent of nearby grasslands, the white cobbles, the hills and the island colored with dark red, and the deep blue lake water present another distinctive picture absent from many of the places more frequented by visitors.

Photos of lake Rakshastal or La Nga Co

ARTIST ON ANCIENT RAKSHASTAL

AERIAL VIEW OF LAKE RAKSHASTAL

MANGTI, PLACE WHERE TREK BEGINS(1560 M)

THE PANAROMIC TREK ROUTE AND THE PONIES(HORSES) LINING THE ROUTE

About the ponies(Horses) normally female ponies are used for transport of men and Male ponies are used for transport of material. So the female ponies will be nicely dressed up the male ponies just have a bell tied to their necks so when they move in group the bell sound guides them the lead pony has a distinct bell.

KALI RIVER - HANGING ROCK - WATERFALL (THREE IN ONE)

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This…is the Place where usually Landslides Occurs. In many places the mountains have been cut in such a way so that just we will be able to walk and these places area called “Hanging Rocks”

BUDHI MOUNTAINS IN THE EVENING

This is 2740-metre-high and the temperature will be upto minus 6 degree Celsius

CHIYALEKH VALLEY

Photography taken during morning hours from CHIYALEKH VALLEY OF FLOWERS in District Pithauraghad, Uttrakhand. Kali river demarcates the boundary between India and Nepal. Chiyalekh is on Indian side while ANNAPURANA ranges on Nepal side. Chiyalekh valley is in route to KAILASH MANSAROVAR.

SOME OF WILD AND RARE FLOWER FOUND AT CHIYALEKH VALLEY

THE COBRA FLOWER

IRIS FLOWER

KASTURI KAMAL

One of the rare flowers only found in Chiyalekh Valley

THE GUNJI CAMP

Gunji, at a height of 3200 metres (10500 feet) is the midpoint of the journey to the Indo Tibetan border.The medical check-ups are done at the ITBP camp in Gunji, before allowing pilgrims proceed to Tibet.

TAKALAKOT

A Small Trading Town in Tibet on the route to Mt. Kailash. where immigration

Papers are prepared This is after The Gunji Camp

IFTB PERSONAL CHECKING @ BORDER

VEDA VYASA’S CAVE

The route reverberates with history and mythology. The Veda Vyasa’s Cave 300 meters above Takalakot, where the sage and author of Mahabharata meditated

OM PARVAT (NATURALLY FORMED OM)

The Mountain with snow patterns resembling a natural “OM”. This is 4000 meters above the Sea level

THE LIPULEKH – THIS IS THE HIGHEST INDIAN POINT ON PATH

It’ The Last point on the Indo-Tibetan Border at an altitude of 5073 m. The bone chilling cold, lack of oxygen and the climb coupled with reduced visibility due to mist makes it a challenge. It’s a frozen and bare landscape that looks almost lunar

BUS RIDE TO DAREHEN

This is a Bone-rattling 140-Kilometre Bus ride to Darehen

DARCHEN (4620 M) & MT. GURLAMANDHATTA

This is the highest mountain in the area 1000m higher than Mt. Kailash at 6710 m situated on the South of Kailsah. Darchen is in the midst of the two great mountains. Parikrama of Mt. Kailash starts from Darchen and is 54 Kms out.

ASHTAPAD

Ashtapad is at an elevation of 4900 metres (17000 feet). Ashtapad, meaning Eight Steps, is the place where the first Jain Tirthankara Shri Rishabhadev Bhagwan also known as Shri Adinath Bhagwan attained Nirvana (salvation).

YAM DUAR THE DOOR OF GOD OF DEATH

It is said that the one does 21 prikramas of Yam Duar does not require to do Kailash parikrama and one whoe does Kailash Parikram 108 times attains Moksha the enlightenment. this near to MT.Kailash on the way

After 54 kms trekking from Darchen passing Rakshas Tal and Deraphuk village. We reach near the Mount Kailash

AERIAL VIEW OF HOLY KAILASH

EAST FACE OF HOLY KAILASH (SUN LIT SIDE)

SOUTH FACE OF HOLY KAILASH

SUNRISE - NORTH FACE OF HOLY KAILASH

WEST FACE OF HOLY KAILASH

THE GOLDEN MT. KAILASH 5-10 AM IST

The Sun’s first illuminate the snow-clad mountain, turning in into, a Glowing Gold, a momentary phenomenon that lasts only for 5 minutes until the sun rises Higher..Kailash also means “crystal” in sanskrit

NATURALLY FORMED NANDI BHAGWAN

GAURI KUND THE ETERNAL POND OF GODDESS PARVATI

After the 6 Km climb to Dolma-La, during the descent part of the balance 13 Km trek to Zongzerbu camp, one is greeted by the emerald beauty of the Gauri Kund. Goddess Parvati is said to have taken dip in this.

DOLMA LA PASS

The Dolma La pass is at an elevation of 19500 feet, which is the highest altitude of our entire yatra.Dolma La is the Tibetan name of Goddess Parvati, wife of Lord Shiva residing at Mount Kailash. It is the highest point of our journey and lowest oxygen content in air.

RIVER LOCHMA CHA - THE REFRESHING WATERS

After the grueling trek to Dolma-La and completing the descent, the icy cold waters are refreshing and rejuvenating and this is on the way returning from kailash Darshan and remainds us of finishing the Darshan of lord Kailash

Presentation By Sujith.K

Vinayak .PVishen VK