Kailash Manasarovar Yatra Via Kerung

The Kailash Manasarovar Yatra is a highly revered pilgrimage that holds immense significance for adherents of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Bon religions. It is believed that even a mere glimpse of Mount Kailash can absolve all sins committed in a lifetime, while a ritualistic bathing in the sacred Manasarovar Lake purifies the mind and body.    For Hindus, Mount Kailash is the epitome of pilgrimage, known as Parabrahma Kshetra, and revered as the abode of Lord Shiva, where he resides with his family and Shivaganas. The majestic mountain is venerated as Mount Sumeru or Meru, the center of the universe. Buddhists also hold Mount Kailash in deep reverence, worshipping it as Kang Rinpoche, the abode of Chakrasambhara, the god of eternal bliss. The Kailash-Manasarovar area is home to eight significant Buddhist monasteries, including Chhu Monastery, situated on the western shores of Lake Manasarovar, which is believed to have been sanctified by Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava).    Jain followers hold Mount Kailash in a special esteem, as it is believed that their first Tirthankara Rishavdev attained Kaivalya (Nirvana) in the Astapada mountain area, located near Mount Kailash.    Similarly, the Bon practitioners, an indigenous faith of Tibet, regard Mount Kailash as the place where their ancestors descended from heaven and settled in the Khyunglung area called the Garuda Valley. Apart from its religious significance, Mount  Kailash also attracts adventure enthusiasts seeking serene tranquility and breathtaking natural beauty.   The Kailash-Manasarovar Mandala is also home to several other sacred sites, such as Rakshasa Tal (also known as Skanda Sagar), Mount Gurlamandhata, Tirthapuri (also known as Adi Badrinath), Asthapada, Yamadwara, Saptarshi Cave, Gauri Kunda, Dolma La, Charansparsa Sthal, Nandi, Atmalingam, Dirraphuk, and Zutholphuk, each holding religious and spiritual significance.   Furthermore, the Kailash-Manasarovar Mandala is considered the origin place of four holy rivers of the Indian subcontinent - Brahmaputra, Sutlej, Indus, and Karnali.    The route to Kailash from Rasuwagadi-Kerung, the Nepal-Tibet border, was newly opened in 2017. This route is relatively shorter and can be traversed overland.