Kailash Manasarovar-Eternal Home of Shiva and Parvati

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Manasarovar is a lake located in Tibet. The mountain known to Tibetans as Kang Ringpoche known in the West as Kailas, from Sanskrit Kailash, and the Western understanding of that mountain and its tributary lake, Manasarovar, come from Indian sources.

Kailash Manasarovar spread over an area of about 320 square kilometers. Mount Kailash in its north and Rakshatal lake in the west. According to the Puranas, the 120-kilometer circumference and 300 feet deep sweet water lake Mansarovar situated at the highest altitude of 17 thousand feet above sea level in the world originated when Lord Shiva pleased with the penance of Bhagirath.

Such a wonderful natural lake is not in any country at such a height. According to the Puranas, the lake formed due to the water velocity revealed by Lord Shankar later got its name ‘Mansarovar’. Being surrounded by Mansarovar Lake further enhances the religious importance of Mount Kailash. Since ancient times, this place had special significance for various religions. Various beliefs and folk tales associated with this place reflect only one truth: the unity of all religions.

It is a holy place according to the Hindu religion. Thousands of people participate in the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra every year to see it. According to our scriptures, Lord Brahma had kept the tears of joy of the Supreme Father God in his Kamandal and established “Mansarovar” on this earth at a place like “Trieshtakam” (Tibet) heaven.

On the full moon night, Kailash Mansarovar

Description of Kailash Mountain

The holiest Mount Kailash holds its special place in Hinduism. According to the Hindu religion, it is the permanent abode of Lord Shankar and the mother of the world Parvati. The Kailas range extends from Kashmir to Bhutan. Between Lha Chu and Zhong Chu is situated Mount Kailash, the northern peak named Kailash. Mount Kailash also known as ‘Ganparvat and Rajatgiri’. Perhaps this is also the Meru mentioned in ancient literature. It is believed that this mountain is self-manifested. The south side of Mount Kailash is considered sapphire, the east side crystal, the west side ruby, and the north side gold. Mount Kailash is like a stone pyramid with a height of 22,028 feet above sea level, the shape of whose peak is like Virat Shivling.

It situated in the middle of sixteen lotuses made of mountains. It always covered with snow. The importance of its circumambulation has been said. It is a pilgrimage located in the northern region of the Himalayas in the region of Tibet. Since Tibet is under China, Kailash falls in China which is the spiritual center of four religions -Tibetan religion, Buddhism, Jainism, and Hinduism. Four rivers of Asia have originated from the four directions of Mount Kailash, Brahmaputra, Indus River, Sutlej, and Karnali. In the four directions of Kailash are the mouths of various animals from which rivers originate, in the east is the mouth of a horse, in the west is the mouth of an elephant, in the north is the mouth of a lion, in the south is the mouth of a peacock.

Mythological Stories about Kailash Manasarovar

According to Shakta Granth, the right-hand palm of Goddess Sati fell at this place, due to which this lake created. That is why it considered one of the 51 Shaktipeeths. When the ice of Mansarovar melts in summer, a kind of sound also heard. Devotees believe that it is the sound of Mridang. It i believed that once a person takes a dip in Mansarovar, he can reach ‘Rudralok’. Mount Kailash, the heaven on which Kailashpati Sadashiv sits, the netherworld below, has an outer circumference of 52 km.

Mansarovar, a lake surrounded by mountains, which described in the Puranas as ‘Kshir Sagar’. Kshir Sagar is at a distance of 40 km from Kailash and in this, Vishnu and Lakshmi re seated on the rest of the bed and are running the whole world. It believed that Maharaja Mandhata discovered Lake Mansarovar and did penance for many years by its banks, which situated at the foot of these mountains.

Significance of Shaktipeeth Kailash Manasarovar

Kailash is the best Himshivling, which is like Shiva and Mansarovar is the best Shaktipeeth, here the palm of the right hand of Sati fell. The name of the goddess of Shaktipeeth here is ‘Kumuda’ – ‘Manse Kumuda Prokta’. This place is very beautiful and resourceful. A glorious description of Kailash Shaktipeeth Mansarovar found in Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain scriptures. Hindu scriptures describe Mansarovar by the names Manasar, Bindusar, Manas Sarovar, etc., and have unwavering devotion towards it. Being created by the mind of the creator Brahma, this lake Kailash, the palace of Shiva, is a place of worship for all three Hindus, Jains, and Buddhists. This is the Nirvana place of Rishabhdev. There is Shaktipeeth of Mother Goddess on the banks of Mansarovar.

Mention in Puranas about Kailash Manasarovar

Dakshayani Shaktipeeth has been described in Puranas. The right palm of the mother had fallen here. Here Shakti Dakshayani and Bhairav are immortal. According to Valmiki Ramayana, it is called Mansarovar because it was created from the mind of Brahma. In Jain texts, Kailash has been called Ashtapada and Padampada of Mansarovar. Every traveler must visit this Shaktipeeth. This is the 43rd Shaktipeeth out of 52 Shaktipeeths. It named ‘Manasar’ or ‘Mansarovar’.

King Mandhata had done intense penance for a long time on the banks of this lake; hence it named ‘Mansarovar’ after the name of Mandhata. Mansar mentioned as a Mahashakti Peetha in the texts like Tantrachudamani, Dakshayani Tantra, Yogini Tantra, Devi Bhagwat, etc. Goddess Kumuda in it said residence.

In Jain religious texts, Kailash called Ashtapada and Mansarovar called ‘Padyahad’. Some Tirthankaras had bathed in this holy lake and performed penance by living on its picturesque banks. It is written in a Jain scripture that Lankapati Ravana came from Lanka one day sitting in his Pushpak Viman to visit Ashtapada and Padyahrida Mansarovar and circumambulate both pilgrimages.

Lankesh Ravana was also a worshiper of Shakti, so he wanted to take a bath in Mahashaktipith Mansarovar, but the deities prevented him from taking a bath. Seeing this, Mahabali Ravana with his ability built a big lake near Mansarovar and bathed in it. The name of that lake was ‘Ravanahrid’.

Journey Time of Kailash Manasarovar

The journey of Kailash Mansarovar starts in May and ends in July. This journey completed in two ways. The 27-day trek to Kailash completed by the Government of India via the Pithoragarh route. Second trip to Kathmandu (Nepal) by travel agents in jeep till Mansarovar in just 16 days and 54 km in Darchan. The journey completed on foot in three days.

Mount Kailash ispread over thousands of kilometers. Despite the difficult snowy journey, about 10 thousand pilgrims visit every year.

Route Distances: Delhi to Kathmandu 700, Kathmandu to Mansarovar 1100, Mansarovar to Darchan 40, Darchan to Mount Kailash 54 km. A comparable shorter route recently opened which goes via Nathula Pass, Sikkim.

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