Mount Kailash----A mystery
It is sacred site of four religions, namely Hinduism,
Buddhism, Jainism and Bon [prebuddhist religion of Tibet].Hindus believe it
abode of Lord Siva. Buddhist call it Kang Rimpoche, dwelling place of Demchog
and Dorje Phagmo. Rishaba, 1st
Jain Tirthankara attained Nirvana at Ashtapada [mountain next to Kailash]. Bon
call it” Tise”, believe it seat of goddess Sipaimen. Holy Mountain rises to an
altitude of 6714 meters. Its grandeur lies not in its height but in its
distinct shape—4 faces. Mountain is located near Lake Manasarover and Lake
Rakshastal. Its prominence is 4327 ft. Mountain is located in remote and
inhospitable area of Tibetan Himalayas. It is pillar of world, located at heart
of six mountain ranges symbolizing Lotus. Bon also believe that nine story
Swastika Mountain is Axis Mundi. Mount Kailash is surrounded by 5 monasteries---Nyari,
Drirapuk, Songchu, Gyangzha and Thailong. Each monastery has different legendry
stories and are decorated by distinctive sculptures, statues, Murals etc.
Tibetans believe pilgrimage to Kailash is journey from ignorance to
enlightenment. Mt Kailash is source of four rivers----Indus, Brahmaputra,
Sutlej and Karnali [Tributary of Majestic riverGanga]. Manasarover and
Rakhastal are two lakes at base of mountain. Climbing of Mt Kailash is
prohibited.
Manasarover lake:--
This lake
is shaped like Sun. It is at altitude of 15060ft. It is fresh water lake with a
circumference of 88KM. Its depth reaches 300ft with surface area of 320KM2.It
is near source of Sutlej which is tributary of Indus. According to Hindu myth,
lake was first created in mind of Lord Brahma, hence name Mana-Sarover. Later
it manifested on Earth. Lake is personification of purity and is supposed to
clean all sins of individual. Lake is supposed to be summer abode of Hansa.Buddhists
associate lake with legendry Anavatapta where Maya is believed to have
conceived Buddha. Buddha is reported to have meditated here. In Jainism Lake is
associated with Rishabha. Lake Rakshastal is next to it, separated by a thin
isthmus of mountains. While Lake Manasarover is calm, Rakshastal is stormy and
is crescent shaped. Lake Rakshastal is also called Devils Lake.Manasarover
means consciousness and enlightenment.
Mt Kailash is source of supernatural powers that is why
Tibetan Lamas and German SS officers visited area. Nazi’s thought Tibet might
harbor the last original Aryan relics. Germans believe themselves to be
descendants of Aryan race. Himmler was firm believer of this hidden treasure so
sent Officers to Tibet to find lost remnants of Aryan race. In 1890 Lytton
wrote a novel on cosmic energy. In that novel, called “VRIL” he talks of Vril
society who had links to Tibetan masters. Lytton also talked of super beings
who would emerge from hiding to rule world. Madam Blavatsky, theosophist
claimed telepathic contact with spiritual masters in Tibet. She mentioned about
it in her book, “secret doctrine”. Russian researchers have put
forward idea of Pyramid. They say Mt Kailash is a vast Pyramid, the Centre of
entire complex of smaller pyramids, a hundred in total. In Ramayana and
Mahabharata Mt Kailash, also called Mt Meru is geographic reality located east
of Jambudvipa [Indian subcontinent].Rigveda states Mt Meru is central region.
The entire cosmos is divided into seven concentric island continents surrounded
by oceans. These continents are Jambudvipa, Plaksadvipa, Salmalidvipa,
Kusadvipa, Krouncadvipa, Sakadvipa and Pushkaradvipa.
According to one Hindu philosophical thought Mt Kailash
represents point of connection between Sky and Earth where the four compass
directions meet. Its distinct shape of four sheer faces mark the cardinal
points of compass. The peak is pointed and looks like a pyramid piercing sky.
The geographic site is like energy vortices that can uplift physical and mental
state. Vedas mention Mt Kailash as Cosmic axis, world pillar, Centre of world.
There are other names of Kailash too, Sumeru, Meru, Kang Rinpoche, Swastika, Mt
Astapada.There is another belief that Mt Mount Kailash is actually the Sahasara
Chakara, which is Centre of supreme Consciousness [SIVA]. When kundalini
reaches there, She meets Shiva. The physical counterpart is Mt Kailash, where
energy of Shiva is centered in material Earth. According to Hindus, Shiva
resides at summit of Mt Kailash. It is regarded as ultimate destination of
souls and is spiritual center of the world. According to Puranas Mt Kailash’s
four faces are made of Crystal, Ruby, Gold and Lapis Lazuli. It is centre of
world Mandala and is located at heart of six mountain ranges symbolizing Lotus.
Bon, indigenous religion of region maintain that region is
mystic. Mt Kailash and nine story Swastika mountain was seat of power as per
Bon .Swastika can be seen when Mountain is viewed from south. Bon maintain
while circumbulation is made, 18 power enlightened teachers appear in this Eon including
Tripa Shenrab—Bon founder.
Interesting places
near Kailash:--
1.
Gauri kund:-- It lies on the way while going
downward from Dolma. This is place where Devi Parvati acquired her son, Ganesha.
Parvati had formed Ganesha from soap lather on her body and breathed life into
it.
2.
Yam Dwar:-----It is situated in Tarboche, 30
minute drive fromDarchen. It is initial point of circumbulation of Mt Kailash.
3.
Asthapad:-----Located at height of 17000ft. It is
bottom of Kailash. It is at this place Adinath Bhagwan attained Nirvana.
4.
Siwasthal:----It is known as duplication of the
magical funeral ground at Bodhgaya.Piligrims here experience ritual death and
enter into dreadful presence of Yama before being reborn on top of the Drolma
LA. One can easily see ground laid out with unbelievable collection of
clothing, Shoes, Bags etc. These things are offerings which are made by people.
5.
Tirthpuri:----Pilgrims take bath in spring pools
here.
6.
Tarboche:-----Flag post with numerous prayer
flags.
Interesting facts:
---
1.
Time travels faster at Mt Kailash. Growth of
nail and hair that occurs in 12 hours spent at Mt Kailash is equal to two weeks
in normal conditions. Reason—nobody knows.
2.
Two lakes. Manasarover and Rakhast tal , one having
sun shape and other crescent shape. While former is calm, later lake is stormy.
AS per Satguru, there are extraterrestrial activities in Manasarover Lake. This
activity has nothing to do with this life. He believes, there are “Beings” in
lake who are extraterrestrial.
3.
No one has climbed Mountain. It has been
observed Mount changes its target destination of climber.
4.
Vast Pyramid:---As per Russian researchers it could
be vast pyramid made by man with extraterrestrial support.
5.
Mt Kailash provides a connection between Earth
and Heaven as per Hindu shastras. Followers believe Peak is gate way to Heaven.
6.
Mt Kailash is centre of world---Axis MUNDI. It is believed to be connected to several monuments of
world. Stone henge is 6666M AWAY from Mount, so is North Pole. While South is 13332M
away.
7.
When sun sets mountain casts a shadow which has
resemblance to Swastika.
8.
When snow falls on peak, deposition takes shape
of OM kar.
9.
Some energy emanating from Mt KAILASH has been
observed by some. Even some UFO activity was observed around Mt Kailash in
1927.
Several mystics have said that
Mountain has a secret entrance leading to legendary city, “Kingdom of
Shambala”-----A spiritual city. Buddhists believe Mount is home of Buddha
Demchok, Who represents supreme bliss. There are many sites in this region
associated with Padmasambhava, who established Buddhism in 700AD—800AD
.
Pilgrimage:----
Pilgrim circumbulates Mt Kailash.
This path is 52KM. Hindus and Buddhists circumbulate clock wise while BON and
Jains circumbulate anticlock wise. Setting foot on MOUNT is sin. A single
circumbulation equals one turn of the wheel of life and will wipe away sins of
one’s life, so goes belief. Buddhists and Jains call circumbulation Khora.
Twelve circumbulations will purify one’s karma for all past and future lives, enlightenment
is attained after 108 circumbulations. Yatra starts from 1500ft at Darchen.
Peak of yatra is at Drolma pass which is at height of 18200ft. walking around
Mount takes over 3 days. There are two routes for yatra. One route is through
Lipulekh pass [Uttar khand]. This route passes through Narayana Ashram, Patal Bhubaneshwar.
Route takes 24 hours to reach base. Other route is through Sikkim via Nathu LA
pass. This route is motor able and is good for senior citizens.
