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Mount Kailash (6,714m) is one of the
most sacred mountains in Tibet. It
is situated in Western Tibet. Mount
Kailash is regarded as ‘Jewels of
snow set in eternal paradise’. Mount
Kailash is also known as Tise or
Kang Rinpoche. The Hindus believe
that Mount Kailash is the holy
residence of Lord Shiva. The
Buddhists regard it as the earthly
manifestation of Mount Meru and
their spiritual centre of the
Universe. The Bons believe that
Mount Kailash is the place where
Shranab – the founder of their
religion – descended from heaven.
Likewise, the Jains believe Mount
Kailash to be the place where their
first prophet attained
enlightenment. Therefore, Mount
Kailash is a sacred place of
pilgrimage for the Hindus, the
Buddhists, the Jains as well as the
Bons. Mount Kailash is a fascinating
snowy peak.
Manasarovar, a holy lake, is another
place of pilgrimage in Tibet. This
lake is situated between Mt. Kailash
and Mt Gurla Mandata. According to
the Hindu mythology, Manasarovar is
a creation of Brahma and is regarded
as mother principle. Manasarovar is
the magnificent perception of
Buddhists as well. Legend has it
that if people take a ritual bath in
Manasarovar and drink water of this
Lake at least once in their life,
their sins will be washed away and
the path to heaven will be open for
them. Hence, a number of devotees
throng Manasarovar every year. For
them, Manasarovar is ‘the next
paradise on the earth’. Saga Dawa –
an outstanding Tibetan Buddhist
festival is held in Manasarovar in
May every year.
Mount Kailash and Manasarovar are
equally worthy of visiting for
trekkers and mountain seekers.
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