Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarova

Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarova

Mt. Kailash

Mt. Kailash or Mt. Kailas (Tibetan: Gang Tise or Gang Rinproche; Chinese: Gangdisi Shan) is a striking peak in the Himalayan mountains of western Tibet. The source of some of the longest rivers in Asia, Kailash is a sacred mountain for four faiths: Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and followers of the indigenous Tibetan religion of B?n. Next to the mountain are two sacred lakes, the most important of which is Lake Manasarowar.

Mount Kailash rises to 22,028 feet (6,714 m) in one of the highest and most rugged parts of the Himalayas. Made of black rock, the symmetrical peak has a distinctive diamond-like shape with four steep facades. The south face has a vertical gash across its horizontal layers, creating the appearance of a swastika - an ancient symbol of good luck in this part of the world.

The landscape around the mountain is rugged and dry but crossed by crystalline blue streams and other bodies of water. Near the sacred mountain is the source of the Indus, Sutlej and Bramaputra rivers and on its south side are two freshwater lakes, the easternmost of which is the highly sacred Lake Manasarowar (Mapam). With an altitude of 14,950 feet, Mansarovar is the highest body of fresh water in the world. The other lake, Rakshastal, also has legendary significance.

The importance of this holy mountain in Hinduism is reflected, among other places, at the famous Ellora Caves in India, where the largest and most important rock-carved temple is dedicated to Mount Kailash.

Tibetan Buddhists believe that Kailash is the home of the Buddha Demchok (also known as Demchog or Chakrasamvara), who represents supreme bliss. They also say it was on this sacred mountain that Buddhism displaced B?n as the primary religion of Tibet.

It is said that one trip around the sacred mountain will wipe away all the sins (bad karma) of one's current lifetime; 108 revolutions will remove the sins of all one's lifetimes and bring salvation from reincarnation (moksa). Alternatively, pilgrims who complete one circumbulation of Kailash and bathe in the frigid waters of Lake Mansarovar will also bring salvation.

Lake Manasarova

Lying 20km southeast of Mt. Kailash and north to Namnani Peak, Lake Manasarovar is the highest freshwater lake in the world, with an altitude of 4,588 and an area of 412sqkm.

Lake Manasarovar, "Mapam Yumco" in Tibetan, means the "eternal and invincible jade lake" named to mark the victory of Buddhism over the local Bon Religion in the 11th century. It is Tibet's most sacred lake and is holy to both Buddhists and Hindus. Xuan Zang(600-664AD), an eminent monk of the Tang Dynasty (618-907), described Mapam Yumco Lake in his book Records of Western Travels as "a jade pond in west".

Lake Manasarovar enjoys a reputation equal to the holy Mt. kailash. Indian legend claims it to be a place where Siva and his wife Goddess Woma, daughter of the Himalayas, bathed. Tibetan legend claims it to be where the God Guangcanlong lived. In Buddhist scriptures, the lake is named the "mother of the rivers in the world".

There are 9 monasteries surrounding Lake Manasarovar. Gyiwu Monastery and Curgu Monastery are the best known of them. The area surrounding Curgu Monastery is respected as a holy and pure bathing place. The holy properties of the lake notwithstanding, the beauty and tranquility of the lake is enough to soothe a weary soul.

Lake Manasarovar and Curgu Monastery are reachable from Darchen(Ta'erqin), which is 30km to the south. Alternately, hitchhiking along the main Ngari-Burang Highway can get you to a point 6km from the lake. Walk southwest from the highway to the lake.

There are two hostels opened by Tibetans in the small villages near Jiwu Temple.

No restaurants near the attractions. The hostels provide plain rice and vegetable dishes. Travelers better bring some instant noodles or solid food. There are furnaces and dry cow dung that can be used for burning, you can cook by yourself.