For past many years I had this wish of visiting all the
five Kailash. It is said this gives you salvation. Frankly speaking I don’t
think just visiting these Kailash can give you salvation, there’s lot more
you’ll need to do. Getting salvation I feel is not so easy.
All the Five Kailash yatra are able to transfer trekker's
physical journey into a spiritual experience, a journey in search of truth. The
five Kailash Yatras is perhaps one of the most arduous calling pilgrimages. It
entails long pilgrimages to five holy sites in upper reaches of Himalayas to
seek the blessing of Lord Shiva who, as per the Hindu scriptures and legends,
supposedly reside on the holy mountain peaks. Surrendering yourself through
Bhakti lets you experience the oneness of "Jiva and Shiva", the union
of jivatma with parmatma!
1.
Shrikhand Mahadev or Shrikhand Kailash
When Bhasmasur got the boon from Lord Shiva that he can
turn anyone into ash by placing his palm on anyone’s head, the Asura wanted to
test if the boon really works by testing it on Lord Shiva. So Lord Shiva
started running from this Asura. Finally Lord came to Shrikhand and sat down in
meditation in the 50ft stone shivling till Lord Vishnu came and killed
Bhasmasura by tricking him in putting his hand on his own head. Later Mata
Parvati did long Akhanda Upasana to break his Samadhi, whereby she filled
Nainsar Lake with her tears; Lord Shiva came out after breaking the shivling. Shrikhand
Mahadev is considered to be the abode of Lord Shiva. Its peak is 5155 meters
high from main sea level. The journey passes through beautiful mist-laden
forests filled with beautiful flowers and huge trees. Then the journey enters
the difficult Himalayan terrain where you need to even cross few glaciers.
2.
Kinnaur/Kinner Kailash
Located in the Kinnaur Valley of Himachal Pradesh, Mount
Kinnaur Kailash is the holy abode of Lord Shiva. The trek is challenging and
also rewarding spiritually. According to Hindu Mythology this is a very sacred
place in the Indian Himalayas as it is associated with Lord Shiva and Mata
Parvati. A natural pond/Kund near Kinnaur Kailash peak, known as Parvati Kund,
is considered to be a creation of Goddess Parvati. She worshipped here for a
long time. It is also the meeting place for Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati.
Mythology states that Lord Shiva conducted a meeting of Goddesses and Gods at
Kinnaur Kailash peak every winter.
There is something very interesting one can see here. I
have now been to the peak four times. Every time I saw two birds perched atop
the peak watching activities. At 6000mtrs, it’s indeed very intriguing to find
them there. Locals feel they could be Lord and Mata Parvati keeping a watch on
all devotees. You can feel the power and spiritual vibration near the peak, no
wonder the peak never ever get covered in snow.
3.
Manimahesh Kailash
Located 26 kilometers away from Bharmour in the Budhil
Valley, Chamba, Himachal Pradesh, is Manimahesh Kailash and at its base is
Manimahesh Lake which is considered spiritually at same level as Mansarovar
Lake. None has ever conquered this mountain, few tried but they never came
back. The peak is mostly covered with clouds and is visible when you go there
with complete surrender to Lord Shiva. According to the popular belief, it is
believed that Lord Shiva created Manimahesh after he married Goddess Parvati,
who is worshipped as Mata Girja. Lord Shiva is believed to reside in Manimahesh
Kailash peak. A rock formation in the form of a Shivling on this mountain is
considered as the manifestation of Lord Shiva. The snow field at the base of
the mountain is called by the local people as Shiva’s Chaugan (play field).
Lord Shiva is said to roam here with his consort Parvati.
4.
Adi Kailash
Adi Kailash as popularly known as Chotta Kailash is in
many ways replica of the better known Mt. Kailash in Tibet, especially in
appearance. They both look lot similar.
Adi Kailash is an ancient holy place and we get to hear of it in many
scriptures. Adi-Kailash is in Indian Territory close to the Indo-Tibetan border
full of nature, peace and serenity. Civilization tired by the incessant roar of
urban life, will find here a healing quietude. Nearby lake called Parvati Tal
catches the mesmerizing reflection of the peak.
Adi Kailash is an area of great natural beauty, peace and
serenity. The route covers breathtaking land scapes and panoramas of the Kumaon
Himalaya range. During the trek one gets an opportunity to view the snow cladded
peaks of Annapurna, the gushing kali river, thick forests, water fall and wild
flowers.
5.
Mt Kailash, Tibet
Mt. Kailash is revered by four religions, Buddhist,
Jainism, Hinduism, and Bon, as the most sacred mountain. This is the celestial
abode of Lord Shiva. . It is attributed to the center of spiritual power, bliss,
and liberation. It is the most sacred peak of Asia, Located in the far west
corner of Tibet. The beauty of the peak, which looks like a symmetrical cone
shaped ice, is echoed in various mythological and literary works. The
surroundings include the beautiful Mansarovar Lake, which is world’s highest
freshwater lake. Also known as Lake Manas Sarovar in Sanskrit and Mapham Yutso
in Tibet, this huge lake mirror the image of snowcapped mountains in its
crystal clear waters. The lake is
located at the southern foot of Mount Kailash and considered very sacred.
