Journey to Kailash Mansarovar has different meaning to different travelers. For devout Hindus and Buddhists this journey is the ultimate pilgrimage of lifetime. For me, this was a spiritual quest.
At an elevation of 21,778 ft holy Mt Kailash, in Tibet, is the eternal abode of God Shiva, the creator of the universe, as per Hindu mythology
For Buddhists, too, Mt Kailash is equally sacred and worshipped as the pivot of the universe.
It is believed that circumambulating 32 miles long path around Mt Kailash will bring good fortune. But setting foot on its slopes is a sin and that is the reason climbing Mt Kailash is not permitted, only circumambulation is permitted. Religiously this is known as parikarma by Hindus and kora by Budhists.
Trek to Mt Kailash takes place at sacred Mansarovar lake which is claimed to be the highest freshwater lake in the world at an elevation of more than 15,000 ft. Lake Manasarovar is personification of purity. It is believed one who drinks holy water from the lake will be cleansed of all sins.
Beyond Mansarovar only few pilgrims were found fit to trek after mandatory medical check up. I was one of the few trekkers granted permit.
I had been getting reports of weather being rough and travelers not granted permission to trek. I was constantly praying, almighty, for not letting that happen to me. Best view of Mt Kailash was visible from Dirapuk at sunrise. That day I woke up before dawn. Sky was partially overcast. I was hoping that clouds do not obstruct the sunrise view. At the nick of time I had a perfect view of sunrise encircling Mt Kailash.
Golden view was so captivating that I just knelt down and gazed at Golden Shiva as if I was in a trance. Moments later I realized, I need to capture those precious images in my camera so that I can treasure them for life.
At night, I got the news that pilgrims and trekkers will not be allowed to go beyond Dirapuk due to unfavorable weather. I was heartbroken and decided if going through routine route was not possible then I will do solo trek in higher reaches, towards Charan Sparash and beyond. Charan Sparsh literally means touching feet of Shiva at the base of Mt Kailash.
Next morning everybody was getting ready to return. Now I had to convince my guide Lamababu to let me trek to higher reaches of Charan Sparsh. He was reluctant to let me trek solo as it was not possible for him to come along. He had to be with other pilgrims. I strongly told him that I need to go, moreover, I had given him my signed life bond so he should not worry so much. Then he relented and told me that he absolutely believed in my capabilities as he had been observing me in earlier treks. He explained to me the exact route of ascend and descend so that he can trace me in case something goes wrong.
My solo Trek to Charan Sparsh and beyond was extremely challenging. There was no defined path, just the rolling stones scattered everywhere. I had to balance my each step with caution or, else, I would fall down in deep gorge. It was so tricky that at one point I even thought of giving up on ascending further. Undecided, I stopped, took a deep breath, surrendered to Shiva and recharged myself with the thought that I was on the path to enlightenment so I have to keep moving.
And that blessed moment arrived. I was face to face with Kailash Shiva, touching feet and embracing God. This was not my imagination anymore. Felt like being an inseparable part of Kailash Shiva. I meditated for sometime, wanted to stay long but realized my guide will get worried for my safety. I looked at Shiva with teary eyes and left.
This post is the summery version of my series on Kailash Mansarovar which comprises details on my spiritual journey.
Sharing few glimpses of my Kailash Mansarovar journey in this short video.
Your pictures are wonderful and very inspiring, how wonderful to be able to fulfil your spiritual journey in this way
Truly so. Thanks.
I would do it because of the superb views! I love your pictures, have heard so much about this place but have never given it a serious enough thought to visit. Great post!
Blissful really.
What a nice article of yours! 18.000 feet is seriously a good altitude, I climbed Annapurna Basecamp and already struggled with altitude sickness! Keep it up!
Thanks Anna.
It’s wonderful that you were able to do this. The photos paint a picture of how high and clear it is there.
Yes Theresa. The highest point I covered without guide so it was bit tricky.
These quests do mean different things to different people. They’re very personal and offer whatever enlightenment you seek if the journey is embraced. Glad you were above to get beyond Charan Sparsh and keep moving. I hope you got the experience you were looking for on your spiritual journey.
Absolutely soul connecting Tifanee.
Beautiful photos and lovely views. Quests are very personal and each person will get something different out of them x
Absolutely so, quests are personal.
Gosh that must have felt good, to head out on a journey not just physically. Fantastic pictures!
Outer & inner journey, indeed.
Thank you for sharing this is really interesting. I hope you found what you were looking for, you’ve definitely passed on your inspiration here to us. Good for you and not turning back 🙂
I did find bliss and in being spiritual as person.
Was it hard to do it on your own? It’s really inspiring – I don’t know if I would dare to do it!! Your pictures (and the video) are great. I’m glad you had a nice weather. Keep up your quest!
Yes hard because weather was not good earlier and permission was cancelled to go beyond for security reasons. So hardest part was to get permission for solo.
Beautiful pictures Indu. I guess a journey is different for every person 🙂 For me, I’d probably just climb a mountain because “it is there” 😀
Yes Mario, sometime our journey takes different flavor.
Such and awe inspiring experience Indu! Being Hindu as well, I admire your courage to take on this journey and I’m sure it was amazing! Your pictures of Mt. Kailash are beautiful!
Truly awe inspiring Yesh.
What a great pictures, and I believe we should be more present emotionally and spiritually when traveling and that’s what u did enjoyed reading your blog:) keep writing:) thanks for sharing
Thank you Jackie.
I have heard of the magnificence of Mt Kailash. It is bound in so much myth, legend and spirituality. Besides being forbidden to climb for ethical purposes, is it also because it actually impossible to climb the mountain itself?
Strictly forbidden for climbing for religious purpose.
My parents are just back after their pilgrimage to Mt. Kailash and they haven’t stopped praising the beauty of the place ever since they have returned. I m impressed so much so that I m planning to do the trek next year. It was good to read your experience during the trek.
So happy to know about your parents visit and you must plan too Sindhu.
What a great spirtual quest and well done for keeping going, it sounds like the journey was difficult but ultimately rewarding.
Absolutely Laura.
Really very spiritual place to be. Tibet and Nepal are on my bucket list and your time spent seems to be amazing. Blessing moments!
Tibet is blissfully spiritual, truly.
A little jealous that you were able to do this. Don’t think I’d be confident enough to attempt a solo trek at that altitude!
I had apprehensions too but was determined.
What an experience. Mt. Kailash is so beautiful and your pics are fantastic. Your spiritual journey is amazing.
Thank you.
Wonderful that you could do it by your own! It looks a little difficult but I’m pretty sure it worths it!
Thanks Carla.
This is an amazing experience! The place is beautiful. I understand your spiritual journey, I hope you reached your goals 🙂
Yes Em. Felt connected to soul.
Honestly we have been seriously thinking about Mansarovar lately
We plan on doing it in the coming years, soon. This is inspiring. Loved the pictures , nothing can come close to experiencing Mansarovar in flesh. It’s a courageous journey and totally worth it.
Thanks. Wish you best for your journey.
What a beautiful experience you’ve had. It’s great that you didn’t give up and continued further until you’ve reached the final destination. I hope you managed to find what you were looking for by climbing this mountains.
I did get soulful experience Joanna.
what an impressive trek you made! looks like a beautiful adventure
What a wonderful experience for you. I am not religious however appreciate that this must have been a very profound experience for you.
Absolutely Alex. Thanks.
The views are definitely out of this world and worth every step of the trek. Good for you for not giving up and pushing through! Fun video/slideshow too!
Thanks Jas.
i totally know how altitude can be difficult to navigate! I never knew a mount could be off limits. The context behind it makes sense though and it’s nice to know the story behind what it means to walk around the circumference of it.
Thanks Brittany.
You seems to know what you are really doing, i cant stop coming to this website thanks
Thanks for appreciating.
Wow! I enjoy reading your posts, because each one is an adventure. I’ll bet climbing up and seeing that huge freshwater lake was fascinating!
Absolutely fascinating.
Thanks for sharing your journey with us! I hope you find what you’re looking for. Very inspiring 🙂
Thank you.
I’m so inspired by your travels. This is destination I only dream of… Omg you have visited here too. I read the post and really enjoyed. Thank you for inspiring other travelers. ✌️✒️
Thank you.
Great pictures. I am glad you were able to make this spiritual journey. It seems like you’re having a grand adventure with your travels. I love long hike and I have always use it as my moving meditation practice too. But, I am not very good at hiking up mountains 🙂
Thank you Herlina. Great you practice meditation.
The views are incredible!
Such an amazing travelougue. My friend tells story of running into a bear during his visit.
Absolutely happens, running into wild animal.