The yatris (pilgrims), while taking the holy dip, also worship the Lake, Lord Shiva and Lord Vasukinagji. 'Parikrama' or walking around the circumference is the most important ritual connected to the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. The parikrama of Mount Kailash covers a distance of about 52km and that of Mansarovar, 75km. A complete walk around the perimeter of the Mount and a bath in Mansarovar Lake is believed to wash away all the sins and liberate one from the cycle of birth and rebirth, according to the Hindu scriptures. The Buddhists also regard Mansarovar as sacred. Queen Maya, mother to Lord Buddha, is believed to have been brought here for a purifying dip in order to prepare her for the conception of Buddha. The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is considered to be one of the most gruelling treks in the world. Special arrangements are made for the pilgrims from India by the Government of India by consulting the Government of China. The journey takes one through the Himalayas in both India and Tibet. The best time for this historical passageway is from mid-May to mid-October. The journey commences from Bhaderwah (known as 'Chota Kashmir'), and proceeds in the same route, which according to legends, was the very road taken by Vasukinagji to reach Kailash Kund, when Garudaji had challenged Vasukinag into a fight. Mansarovar Lake is the highest freshwater body in the world, located in the middle of Mount Kailash and Mount Gurla Mandhata at a height of 14,950 feet above sea level. Covering an area of about 320km, the circumference of the lake in 88km and the depth is 90m. It is a source of four great rivers- Indus, Sutlej, Brahmaputra and Karnali. |