Kailash Manasarovar Yatra

Some pilgrimage journeys (Yatra) are considered tough due to their remoteness and high-altitude. Here, Air-Dynasty offers Kailash Manasarovar Yatra; The tough yatra of “Kailash Manasarovar”, devotees visit holy mount Kailash & holy Manasarovar lake. As this pilgrimage tour will starts Yatra from Nepalgunj – Simikot – Hilsa -Purang – Darchen -Mt. Kailash. Kailash Man Yatra, a spiritual and life-changing journey can be accomplished via Simikot on Helicopter.

This is an 08 days trip where you will travel from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj; Small airport of Nepalgunj has plane services between Kathmandu and Simikot. Situated in Simikot, at an elevation of 2910m (9550 ft.) above the sea level. Access to Simikot is mainly by airways. Alternate access route for Simikot passes through high mountain ranges. There are a few lodges in this beautiful village. Many travelers stay here for one or two days and then continue their journey. Simikot’ s population is around 600. Simikot Airport has short 549m (1,810 ft.) runway that requires passenger planes with short takeoff and landing ability. The journey from Simikot to Hilsa will be completed by Helicopter. One helicopter can carry only 6 passengers including the pilots. Flight time between Simikot and Hilsa for about 20 minutes. Many trekkers trek 5-6 days to reach Hilsa from Simikot. The helicopter passes through high mountains like a tiny bird flying through dreamland. And high-speed wind flows here and you can see there’s no greenery around. Karnali river is the border between Nepal and China (Tibet). Basic guesthouses are functional during Kailash Darsan; months (May-September). Food and other services are provided in guesthouses. We enter into “Tibet-China” after passing through the tent of Nepal immigration office.

Tibet is the world’s highest plateau which is known as “Roof of the world”. Tibet is the land of high snow top mountains, beautiful blue lakes, and deep silence. Our immigration formalities take place in this Chinese immigration building. The ancient city of Purang situated at 4755 m (13205 ft.) elevation. Nepalese and Indians call this town as “Taklakot”. Kailash Manasarovar is at the north of Purang and mount Gurla Mandhata is at the south. This Taklakot market is the biggest market in western Tibet. Major rivers like Indus, Karnali (a tributary of river Ganga) and the Brahmaputra originate within 110km of Purang. Purang is known as “Base Camp” of Kailash Manasarovar Yatra. Altitude sickness could occur due to the decreasing amount of oxygen in the air. First, we visit the lake “Rakshastal” during Manas Parikrama. Rakshastal is blue colored saltwater lake situated at 4752 m (15590 ft.) elevation. The total area of Rakshastal is around 250 sq. km. As per Hindu Mythology, this lake was created by 10 headed demons, Ravana. Every day Ravana sacrificed his one head to pleased Lord-Shiva. Finally, on the 08th day, Lord-Shiva blessed Ravana with superpowers. Lake Manasarovar (sweet water lake) is situated at 4 km on the east of Rakshastal.

There are no creatures in Rakshastal. Gurla Mandhata mountain is situated in front of Rakshastal. As per mythological stories, Gurla Mandhata was the true devotee of Lord Shiva who did hard worship of Lord-Shiva. Lord Shiva pleased with his worship. Gurla requested a place in front of Kailash. It seems Gurla Mandhata bowing his head in front of Lord-Shiva. Eco-friendly buses will be used henceforth for environment protection. After visiting Rakshastal and Gurla Mandhata we head towards Manasarovar. 160 km long Manasarovar Parikrama is done by BUS. This region of snow and ice was unknown to the common man. Common people could only dream about this region.

Manasarovar is a western mountain range of Himalayas. This extremely beautiful blue lake is situated at 4590 m (15060 ft.) elevation and considered as a natural wonder. Lord Brahma deva envisioned this beautiful lake in his mind hence this lake is known as “Manasarovar”. Manasarovar beauty is well described in Hindu and Buddhist religious books. It taken as “Lake has pure water which is transparent like glass”. Manasarovar shores pebbles look like precious stones. Lake has many golden lotus and beautiful white swans. Gods, Angles, and fairies are enjoying in this lake. Trees waving in the wind and Lord Indra’s white elephant, Airaavath, is roaming freely on the shore. Manasarovar is one of the most beautiful scenes on earth. At some places, 6 feet deep rocks can be seen clearly. Devotees strongly believe that a person’s sins could be forgiven by taking bath in Manasarovar. Hindu devotees bring required pooja items to perform the “Pooja and Aarti “(worship) at Manasarovar. Devotees believe that gods and angles take bath in Manasarovar during early morning hours.

After taking holy dips and worships at Manasarovar, we reach Darchen by bus. After one night stay at the hotel, the next day morning we continue our journey towards Kailash Parikrama. Here, devotees can rent horses for Kailash Parikrama. In 2019, for three days , one horse costs around 1900-2000 Chinese Yuan( INR- 20,000-22,000 & Nep-32,000-33,000 ). Yak is everything for Tibetan people. Yak is their god. Yak is their vehicle. They drink Yak’s milk and eats Yak’s meat as well.
Yam Dwar, Kailash- Kailash Parikrama start from Yam Dwar. It is a small temple situated at 4860 m (15940 ft) altitude. Devotees enter from one door and exit from the opposite door. Devotees take 2-3 Parikrama of the Yam dwar.

Kailash South-West Face- Devotees get a glimpse of the south-west face of Mount Kailash from Yam dwar. As per Hinduism, “Yam devata” is the god of death. Devotees believe that after passing through Yam Dwar. God Yam cleans our spirits and makes it worthy to start Kailash Parikrama Darshan. Devotees believe that the arrowhead shape hole seen on the South-west face is the “Third Eye” of Lord Shiva. Three days Kailash Parikrama starts from Yam Dwar. During this Yatra, other than Yam Dwar, there is no temple or any god’s idol to be seen. Here nature itself is the god. During Yatra, we need to mingle our spirit with that ultimate power and our heart needs to experience external of salvation. Mount Kailash Parikrama is 52 km long which can be completed either on foot or on the horse in 3 days. Mount Kailash is situated at 6638 m (21780 ft.) elevation in deep western mountain ranges of Himalayas. The circumference of Kailash is around 30 miles. Mount Kailash is considered a sacred place in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Bon religions. As per Hinduism, Mount Kailash is the residence of Lord-Shiva and Parvati. It’s a divine place for god Indra and the pilgrimage for Lord-Vishnu.

Kailash West-North Face- In Buddhism, Mount Kailash is known as “Meru Parvat”. According to Buddhism, Kailash is central to its cosmology. Bon religion considers Kailash and its surrounding area as mysterious. For them, Kailash mountain is equal to 9 floors “Swasti” which is the unique dimension of peace and satisfaction. In Jainism, Kailash considered as a holy mountain. Tirthankara, Rishabha Deva, attained moksha (liberation) at “Ashtapad” mountain which is next to the mount Kailash. Hindu devotees complete only 39 km of Parikarma which is 3/4 th of total Parikrama. Hence, their clockwise Parikrama starts at Yamadwar and ends at ZONGZERBU. Bon devotees complete full 52 km Kailash Parikrama by “Namaskar” as you see on the screen. This way it takes them 25 days to complete the Parikrama which normally completes in 3 days by foot or on the horse. Some devotees hear bells and shell’s sounds but other devotees couldn’t hear anything which highlights the mysteriousness of this region.

Kailash North Face-This is north face of Kailash. The peak of Kailash is always covered by snow. Kailash peak looks like shining stone from distance.
DRIAPHUK has few guesthouses with basic food and lodging facilities. Devotees believe that a person’s all sins could be forgiven by completing once Kailash Parikrama. By doing 108 Parikrama devotees reach to “Nirvana”. If weather supports, devotees can see the golden peak of Kailash during the sunrise period. This spectacular view is known as “Golden Kailash”. Highest tip of Kailash mountain peak looks like the head of the snake king, “Cobra”. Devotees have to return back to Darchen in case of bad weather.

Dolma La Pass- Meaning of “Dolma La” is a goddess “Parvati”. It is situated at height of 5500 m (18200 ft.) and is the highest point of Kailash Parikarma. From here we descend towards ZUTHULPHUK. Tibetan devotees offer nails, hair, small gold items and colorful pieces of clothes at Dolma-La-Pass.

Gauri-Kunda- While descending from Dolma-La-Pass, where visit a small lake called “Gauri-Kunda” from a certain height. As per Hindu religious, goddess Parvati & Lord-Shiva take bath here. After Kailash Parikrama, some devotees visit “Trithpuri”.
Nandi Parvat- Many devotees visit “Ashtapad” mountain and then “Nandi Parvat” which is situated in front of Kailash.

This is a divine region. We always wish to spend more time here. Here one can get deep satisfaction of nature’s beauty. The deep silence of this region triggers our heart’s tunes to resonate with universal waves. There may be hardly any places on earth which takes human to a different world. It’s once in a lifetime experience.