Introduction of Tibet:
Tibet is province-level distractive region of China, located in a high mountain area in the south-western part. Throughout history, Tibet, at times has Governed itself as an independent state and at other times has had various levels of association with China. Tibet's internal Government was for centuries a theocracy (State government by religious leaders) under the leadership of Buddhist Lamas or Monks. In 1959, Dalai Lama the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism and at that time the head of Tibet's in the name of cultural revolution) fled to India during a Tibetan revolted against Chinese control in the region. In the China took full control over Tibet and imposed installed a sympathetic Tibetan ruler in 1965 A.D. and replaced the theocracy with a communist administration.
Tibet is so big that covers an area of 1,222,000 sq. kilometers. Lhasa is the largest capital city of Tibet. Tibet is the highest plateau on the earth or it is also called the roof of the World. Southern part of Tibet is situated entirely the Himalayas, and many of the world's highest summits are located in the main Himalayan chain. Brahmaputra Sutlet, Indus, Ganga and some other rivers, all have their sources in Tibet. Tibet has a dry and cold climate with an average annual temperature. Temperatures in the mountain and plateaus are especially cold and strong winds are common year round. The daily temperature has big contrast. On a typical summer day, the temperature can rise from 5 degree before sunrise to 25 degree by the midday, In general, temperatures in Tibet change frequently.
Every year thousands of Hindu religious people come to visit the sacred Kailash Parbat and Mansarovar Lake, situated in the China's Autonomous Region of Tibet from around the globe and neighboring country India via Nepal.
As per the legend, a person who crosses the Kailash circuit once, all his sins are gone away. Going around Mt. Kailash 108 times means that one is directly receiving Nirvana (freedom). According to the description of Ramayana, one who takes bath in Mansarovar Lake reaches Bramalok (heaven); whereas the one drinking the water from Kailash knows the world of Shivalok (Shivas abode).
A great mass of black rock soaring to over 22,000 feet, (6,714 meters) Mount Kailash has unique distinction of being the world's most venerated holy place at the same time that it is the least visited. The supremely sacred site of four religions and billions of people, Mount Kailash is seen by no more than a few thousand pilgrims every year. Before the dawn of Hinduism Jainism or Buddhism, the cosmologies speak of mount Kailash as the mythical mount Meru, the center and birth place of the entire world. The mountain was already legendry before the great Hindu epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, were written.
Mount Kailash is so deeply embedded in the myths of ancient Asia that it was perhaps a sacred place of another era, another civilization, now long gone and forgotten. Hindus believe mount Kailash to b abode of lord Shiva. For Hindus, to make the arduous pilgrimage to mount Kailash and have the darshan (divine view) of Shiva's abode is to attain release from the clutches of ignorance and delusion.
For many travelers or visitors, Tibet has a special appeal. This is particular true of the remote south – western corner where the great curve of the Himalaya swings northwards tilting the Tibetan plateau towards the "heavens"
Lake Mansarovar, the word 'manas' means mind or consciousness: the name Mansarovar means lake of consciousness and enlightenment. Mansarovar lying at the height of 15,000 fits or 4560 meters from sea level. It is held deep spiritual influence and wide religious significance among Hindus and Buddhists. Making round Mansarovar Lake and taking a dip in it is believed to be Purge one's soul from sins and the body from sickness. By taking a dip in the Mansarovar Lake, one can retain youth and vitality, still there others, who believe one can not only clean his soul but also secure his place ion heaven after the end of mortal live. One more school of thought is that taking a dip in it helps one attain moksha (free from the cycle of birth and re-birth in worldly life). Mansarovar Lake is so big, for making round by walking path, it takes 3 days for locals and pilgrimage or adventure lovers its takes 5-7 days for camping. Round of Mansarovar Lake, we can see also eight Buddhist Monasteries and popular is Chiu gompa monastery. Here we can see birds and wild ducks here. All adventure travelers, the Tibet lying Mansarovar Lake promises treasures of Shangri – La. Visiting once this pilgrimage area and adventure paradise is a life time achievement
Raksas Tal is named after the flesh –eating demons of Hindu mythology believed to lurk beneath its dark waters. A representation of dark, malevolent forces, this lake is generally shunned by pilgrims. According to legend, the water of this lake was poisonous. This condition changed when a gold fish from Mansarovar Lake tunneled through a narrow isthmus to let sacred water flow into Raksas Tal, thus neutralizing the poison. Raksas Tal is the lake where Ravana is said to have done penance to invoke Lord Shiva. Local people say that the water from this lake should never be drunk. This lake is located in the west part of Mansarovar Lake at 4545 meters from sea level and Raksas Tal is 15 meter below of Mansarovar Lake. No one can see any birds and wild ducks in this Lake.
Situated 70 Kilometers to the west part of Mount Kailash. One has to first get to Major village by automobile from where Tirthpuri is situated at a distance of 4 Kilometers on the bank of the river Sutlej. There is no any Himalayan mountain range around Tirthpuri. The region has red colored dried up mountain hills that is beautiful in their own sense. It is believed that is was here in Tirthpuri of the demon Bhasmasur was burnt to ash. It is also known the first Tirthankar of the jain faith meditated hare. Hot springs are also located in this region believed to have curative powers. Similarly Tibetans believe that minerals found here known as ringers have special curative powers swallowed by them. Tirthapuri is also well known for its medical hot springs believed to have powerfull healing properties.
Khojarnath is a small village between Taklakot and Hilsa, an ancient temple of (Monastery type) Shree Ram , Goddess Sita and Lakshman is situated here. This temple was built in around 7th century and has a big gold painted statue of Shree Ram, Sita and Lakshman. Getting Khojarnath temple is easier with Helicopter from Simikot –Hilsa, It is 8KM distance from hilsa by land transportation. So, one can catch plain from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj and Nepalgunj to Simikot then connect with helicopter service. It is 85 Kilometers away from Mansarovar Lake one way drive. It takes 3 hours round trip from Mansarovar Lake.
Ancient puranas and many Hindu traditions eulogize the sanctum sanctorum Kailasa, filled with beautiful, silvery snow –clad mountains to be the abode of lord parama Shiva. Aruna Mountain stretching on the westernside of Kailasa contains great pearls dhatus and Herbal medicines; this blessed part of Kailasa is further adorned with Nandhi and Ganapati mountains. On the westernside of Kailasa Mountain, the Atmalinga of Siva glows in his heart. This Atmalinga is formed from the snow named pushpadanta, which emanates through the path created Ashtapadu from the tip of Kailash. The holy water of sailodha river stream originates from Atmalingam. The yogis and the Saptarishis (the blessed sevensaints) will have a holy dip in pious waters and receive lord shivas benediction in form gnana(wisdom) hence this the most blessed part of the Kailash mountain and acquires great prominence in Hindu culture.
Astapad is another holy mountain near Mount Kailash; it lies in front of Nandi Mountain. Astapad means mountain of Eight steps, many saints, Rishi's, Monks, have used caves at Astapad for meditation. Drive from Darchen to Serlung Monastery, walk 10 minutes little climb up, visit Astapad then walk down 10 minutes and drive back to Darchen. It takes 3 hour round trip from Darchen.
Nandi Mountain is situated to the south Part of Kailash. One can be reach Nandi Mountain, Jeep drive from Darchen to Serlung Monastery then walking in the trail on the shore of the river which flows through Darchen and originates from Mt. Kailash. We can see also Atmalingam, to complete Nandi Parikarma you need about 10-12 hours from Darchen round trip. In general, near Sapatrishi cave, very steep up and we climb through the climbing rope which our mountain climbing staff helps for climbing up till Sapatrishi cave. We can see Sapatrishi cave end of mount Kailash which is we can also say base camp of mount Kailash. The altitude of Sapatrishi cave is 5800 meters from Sea level. After Sapatrishi cave, climb up 200 meter and pass hills and descend down the will be other side very steep down till end of hills and after follow the small river till to Serlung Monastery. Jeep is waiting us whole day here.
According to Hindu myth, well-known Rishis, Saints have meditated at Saptarishi cave which is at the basement of Mount Kailash from when Atmalingam can be viewed. Therefore if is believed that only physically fit and spiritually clean people can pay homage to this cave and Nadi Parikrama. Monterosa Treks and expedition provides mountain guides, Mask-regulator and Oxygen bottles for emergency rescue incase needed as well as climbing rope.