I am pilgrim of Himalaya. I love mountains. I had been to
Kailas-Mansarovar in 2006. It was my childhood dream.
I am born Hindu. In
my childhood, I have heard many stories of Hindu Gods from elders. One such
story was about the Mount Kailas which is the Home of Lord Shiva. I also remember the story of Mansarovar.
In Marathi, we call it MANAS SAROVAR. Manas mean Mind. It is believed that Brahma’s mind created the
beautiful MANSAROVAR which is just next to Kailas in Himalayas. In Hindu
philosophy, we consider Brahma as creator of the Universe, Vishnu as protector
and Shiva as destroyer of all evils in the Universe. It is believed that these
three Gods control the Universe. Is God exists? We do not know.
Kailas-Mansarovar exists. Mount Kailas is within us from the childhood.
I thought it is the best thing to visit this place and look for the God. We
selected so called easy route to Kailas via Nepal-Tibet. It was a long 950 K.M journey
from Kathmandu. It passes through Kodari- Friendship Bridge between Nepal and
China – Nylam- Dhulikhel – Zangmu-Saga-Pariyang-Chui Gunfa-Mansarovar-Darchen –
Derapuk -Kailas- Dolma Pass – Gauri Kund- Zutulfu and back to Kathmandu. We
crossed all the Tibet which is now a
part of China. It is baron land at 12,000-14000 feet above sea level. On south side, we see Himalayan mountain
range all along the route. You are in thick Himalayas and all along the side of Brahmaputra
River which is originated at Mansarovar. All along the way , you see ice cap
mountains, over 60 peaks in the grand
chain of Himalayas over 25,000 feet high, beautiful lake Pikachu, many sand
dunes, no signs of civilization, no basic facilities, no roads, a few tribal
Tibetans in small distant villages. Nature is changing every moment. Sometimes
very cold, windy and cloudy. Suddenly, it was very hot. If it rains, it will be
unimaginable. Weather beats you. We could only travel by jeep-the Land Cruiser
4500 model. This heavy and sturdy vehicle takes you anywhere. Nature is
notoriously inhospitable to man in this Himalayan region.
Mount Kailas for Hindus is Meru Parvat, a residence of Lord
Shiva. It is the most sacred spot in Asia, what Rome is to catholic
Christians, what Mecca is to the Mohammedans, and what Jerusalem is to Jews For Jains, it is ASHTAPAD. Eight Jain
Gurus visited this mountain for getting NIRVANA. Tibetan Guru Kang Ringpoche
meditated at this place. Lord Buddha visited this mountain and everyone wants
to see his footprints .Gauri Kund is the Bathroom of Parwati and Lord Ganesha
lost his head when he did not allow Lord Shiva to enter at Parwati’s place as
she was taking bath. One has to cross the Gate of death called YAMA DARWAJA
before entering the surrounding of Kailas Mountain (20, 0028 feet- tallest in
Tibetan region) all these stories, whether you believe it or not, will come to
your mind very often. Mount Kailas is the home of God for Hindus, Tibetans,
Buddhists and Jains. That is the reason;
it was the habitation of their angels. It is said that, if someone is
looking at the Earth planet from the far distance in space, he will notice over
100 peaks of Himalayas and he will see ICE JEWEL. He will notice the most
outstanding object on the surface of the world we live. It is just at the
centre of Earth. Mount Kailas is pure Crystal on East side, Red Manik on West
side, Golden Ring on north side and Neelmani on south side.
Why Buddha, Aadi Shankaracharya, Jain Ashtapada Gurus
visited this place? They were in search of God. Whether they found the God?
Mount Kailas is the most stupendous
sight in the world. Forest- clothed ranges and snow-clad heights make
Himalayas unique. You will experience serenity and quietude. It gives peace to
your mind. Yes, we met the God. No,
we touched the God when we were just in-front of Mount Kailas. It was a great
healing effect on our mind. We experienced Vibrations. We do not know from
where these vibrations are arriving. The vibrations are unique and surround the
mountain with an invisible field of magnetism. Mount Kailas and its vicinity,
including Lake Mansarovar, possess a magnetic atmosphere of intense spiritual
vibration. Yogi Pranavananda (1928, 1935) described his experience which is
true when you visit the place.One can feel it only after visiting this place. We
have thankfully accepted the Nature’s
gift when we stood in front of Kailas. God who has made the place of Lake
Mansarovar is beauty drunk. We cannot describe this natural beauty when we look
at Gurla Mandhana Mountain on one side and mount Kailas on other side of the Lake
Mansarovar. We do not know a more
fascinating sunset upon the bluish-green waters of Lake Mansarovar. It looks
like a huge emerald set between two majestic mountains – Kailas on north and
Gurla Mandhana on south. It is a paradise on Earth. It is mysteriously charming
itself. The wild beauty of scene at Kailas out stepped our imagination and
taking a dip in Mansarovar inspired our MIND and uplifted our SOUL.
When we travelled through this land and take a PARIKRAMA
around Kailas, we noticed that we are at world’s grandest scenery.
Serenity is so prevalent. This part of Himalayas embodies the grand force
of Nature. Yes, it is the place of Lord who resides here. We touched this
place. Our footprints on this land indicate that we visited the paradise on the
Earth. We felt that we are riding, not merely into Himalayas, but into Heaven.
The air is sweet (rare) with love that emanates from Supreme Being. The
mountains are flushed with beauty that belongs, not to them, but to God.
The entire journey which I always remember is a
beautiful poem. This unique experience is memorable, unforgettable, exciting,
thrilling, beautiful and ultimately spiritual. You have a feeling that you
touched a God who was in your mind from early childhood. My eyes are filled
with water when I remember this tiring but beautiful journey. It was once in
lifetime event. But I would like to visit again and again and get the special
feelings of unique vibrations in my body. I felt the spiritual existence of God
who is the creator of this wonderful Universe.
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