There are abundant sightseeing places near Mount Kailash and Mansarovar Lake which makes the whole Kailash Mansarovar Yatra more relishing and a perfect expedition. Let us look at some of the best places near Kailash Mansarovar
Mount Kailash is a mountain that rises 21,778 feet above sea level. Every year, tourists flock to the area to marvel at its beauty and grandeur. Mount Kailash is one of the world’s highest points, located in the southwestern corner of Tibet among the mighty Himalayan ranges. In addition to this, it is the source of four major Asian rivers, including the Brahmaputra, Ganges, Indus, and Sutlej. Above all, the spiritual significance of the location draws a lot of people. This magnificent pilgrimage centre is undoubtedly visited by people of various religions.
Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are said to live on Mount Kailash. According to Shiva Purana, circumambulating the mountain aids in the purification of all sins. The circumambulation journey is 53 kilometres long and takes three days. The journey is exciting, with many challenges posed by extreme weather and a scarcity of oxygen.
Nandi is Lord Shiva’s vahan, and it is believed that Nandi exists in the form of Nandi Parvat, which is shaped like the Nandi and is located near Mount Kailash. Nandi is worshipped as the Lord’s messenger because devotees believe they can communicate with Lord Shiva by whispering their message into Nandi’s ear. A devotee can see many spiritual sites while visiting Nandi Parvat.
One of the hallowed temples for Hindus and Buddhists, Muktinath temple is located at the foot of Thorong La mountain pass in Mustang Nepal. The temple is settled at an altitude of 3,710 meters and is one of the 51 Shakti Peetha goddess sites. This sacred temple devoted to Lord Vishnu is one of the 108 Divya Desam.
By Hindus, the holy site of Muktinath is called Mukti Kshetra with literally means ‘the place of moksha or liberation’. Being one of the eight sacred shrines, known as Svayam Vyakta Kshetras makes Muktinath temple more legendary. Hindus believe that Lord Vishnu attained liberation from the curse of Brinda ( Jalandhar wife) here. A human-sized gold idol of Lord Vishnu as Mukti Narayana is enshrined in the temple.
After visiting the divine sites of Kailash Mountain and Lake Mansarovar, next destination for pilgrims is the Tirthapuri. Tirthapuri is settled at the northwest Mount Kailash on the right bank of Sutlej River. Tirthapuri is known for its hot springs and Tirthapuri monastery (Guru Rinpoche monastery).
Pilgrims after a tedious Kailash Mansarovar Yatra bath in the soothing water of the Tirthapuri hot spring and relax. Then they take the Tirthapuri Kora (parikarma) which takes one hour to complete. Tirthapuri is recognized as the sacred place of Padmasambhava and his consort Yeshe Tsogyel. At the Tirthapuri Monastery Goddess, Dorje Phagmo is worshipped. Behind the monastery is the holy cave where Yeshe Tsogyel and Padmasambhava meditated. A granite rock can also be found with its embedded footprints.
Perched at an altitude of 6502 feet, Gaurikund lies en route to Kailash Parvat while moving down from Dolma-La (Dolma Pass). Shiva Purana describes this beautiful lake as ‘Lake of Compassion’. During the Kailash tour, pilgrims don’t miss to visit the site of Gaurikund.
Gaurikund is also called as ‘Parvat Sarovar’. As per Hindu Mythology, Goddess Parvati acquired back her son Lord Ganesha here. The calm water of the Gauri Kund purifies one’s soul and the holy water is also taken back home for purification reasons by many pilgrims.
Placed at a splendid height of 15,500 feet approx, Yam Dwar is one of the important destinations in Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in Tibet (Tarboche). It takes 30 minutes to drive from Darchen to reach Yam Dwar. Yam Dwar means ‘the gateway of the God of Death’. Being the starting point of the circumambulation of Mount Kailash, one has to pass through Yam Dwar to reach the abode of Lord Shiva.
According to many Tibetan, the holy deity Demchok resides at Mount Kailash. Every year a religious ceremony takes place in which a new prayer flag-pole is established in Tarboche.
One of the prominent shrines in Jain religion, Asthapad is located near the Mount Kailash. Asthana means ‘’eight steps’’ as Astha means Eight and Pad means step in Sanskrit. This place is close to the heart of Jains, as Rishabhanatha the first Tirththankara attained salvation here. He was the founder of Jainism. Bestowed with natural beauty, Asthapad is visited by an array of tourist who undertakes the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. Asthana is believed to be one of the five mountains of Shvetambara Jainism.
It is believed that visiting this mountain helps in attaining salvation from the cycle of life. Till now no person has been able to figure the exact location of Asthapad. One needs to obtain permission from Tibetan authorities to explore the serene site of Asthapad mountain.
Siwasthal is located 3 km further from Deraphuk Gomba Enroute to Dolma-La Pass. It is known as the replication of the funeral ground in Bodh Gaya in Bihar. It is said that whoever visits this site experiences a metaphorical death and enters the presence of Yama, the God of Death. Their rebirth takes place at Dolma La. Clothes, shoes, bags and many other things remain scattered at the ground here. These are the offerings made by the pilgrims who visit this site. Some unusual offerings like bones, hair, and blood are also made by the people.
Situated to the south of Mount Kailash, Rakshastal is a beautiful lake. Recognized as the ‘Lake of Demon’, Rakshastal is considered to be the place where the great Lanka king Ravan performed severe penance.
According to Hindu scriptures, Rakshas Tal was created by Ravana to gain supreme powers by offering prayers and devotion to Lord Shiva. This lake is also known as ‘Ravan Tal’. Lake Mansarovar lies west of Rakshas Tal and is known as the only saltwater lake in Tibet. In Buddhism, the round sun-like shape of Lake Mansarovar signifies ‘brightness’ and Rakshastal crescent shape signifies ‘darkness’.
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Tarboche is a popular flagpole that stands on the great Mount Kailash. The flagpole remains draped in colorful Tibetan prayer flags. Every year a very famous festival of Tibet ‘Saga Dawa’ takes place here. One of the key parts of the festival is replacing the Tarboche flagpole. In this ceremony, the flagpole is brought down and a new pole is erected in its place. This festival is celebrated to commemorate Sakyamuni’s enlightenment.