Journey to the sacred Mount Kailash

Aug. 6, 2010 - PRLog -- Mount Kailash
Mount Kailash, 6,740 m., the abode of Lord Shiva, is the ultimate Hindu pilgrimage site, located in the west Tibet. Mount Kailash, which is believed to have been formed 30 million years ago when Himalayas were in their early stage of formation, is one of the most revered places in the Himalayas. The holy mountain rises to 22,028 feet (6,714 m) and is one of the highest and most rugged parts of the Himalayas. The south face has a vertical gash across its horizontal layers, creating the appearance of a swastika - an ancient symbol of good luck in this part of the world. The landscape around the mountain is barren and dry but crossed by crystalline blue streams and other bodies of water.

Myths and mystery about the mountain.  
The mountain is the center of spiritual of four great religions of the world: Hinduism, Buddhism, the Jain and the pre-Buddhist -Bon. For the Hindus, Mount Kailash is the earthly manifestation of Mt. Meru, their spiritual centre of the universe, described as a fantastic 'world pillar' 84,000 miles high, around which all else revolves, its roots in the lowest hell and its summit kissing the heavens. For the Jains, an Indian religious group, Kailash is the site where their first prophet achieved enlightenment. For the older, more ancient religion of Bon, it is the site where its founder Shanrab is said to have descended from heaven.
The pilgrimage around the sacred mountain is called “parikrama’ by Hindus and Tibetan call it Kora. It is believed that one parikrama or kora around the sacred mountain will wipe away all the sins (bad karma) of this lifetime and 108 kora will remove the sins of all lifetime and bring salvation from reincarnation (moksa).

What is like to take a trip to Mount Kailash?
Mount Kailash is a pilgrimage destination for several thousand of devotees.The rugged path around Mount Kailash is 32 miles (52 km) long, following a blue mountain stream much of the way. Altitudes range from 15,000 feet at the start to 19,000 feet at the Dolma Pass. The circumambulation is made in a clockwise direction by Hindus and Buddhists but counterclockwise by followers of the Jain and Bön religions.
A typical journey lasts about three days, but Buddhist pilgrims seek special merit by taking much longer to circle the holy mountain: instead of walking, they perform body-length prostrations for the entire 32 miles. The pilgrim bends down, kneels, prostrates full-length, makes a mark with his fingers, rises to his knees, prays, and then crawls forward on hands and knees to the mark made by his/her fingers before repeating the process. No wonder, it requires 5-6 days of physical endurance to perform the circumambulation this way. For lay people as well, the mountain is equally attractive and the journey to the mountain is spectacular, offering overwhelmingly beautiful views.

Land Cruiser Trips to Mount Kailash:
Highland Asia Travel organizes fully supported Land Cruiser Trips to Mount Kailash and west Tibet. The area has travel restrictions but we will take care of all necessary permits and travel logistics. The region has limited facilities and so we have to go with fully supported team of cook, kitchen aide and help for pitching and breaking camps. We drive every day 6-7 hours in the rugged terrain of vast Tibetan plateau. Our special Sherpa cook prepares two hot meals (breakfast and dinner) and provides packed lunch for day meal. One land cruiser accommodates 4 passengers and for the gears and supplies, we will have truck. During three days parikrama (circumambulation) trekking, we will have mules or yaks for transporting gears and supplies. From Kathmandu to Kathmandu, it will be two week long trips but if you start in Lhasa, go to Mount Kailash and finish in Kathmandu, it will be three weeks trekking. It’s also worthy to extend the trip to the ancient Gugay Kingdom that requires two additional days.

For more info on Highland Asia’s trips to Mount Kailash and West Tibet, please, visit http://www.highlandasiatravel.com/destination/tibet/tibet...

# # #

Highland Asia Travel, Inc is specialized in small group and custom itineraries for adventure travel to Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet and Indian Himalayas.