Kailash Mansarovar Yatra: A Pilgrimage Uniting Multiple Faiths

Congress president Rahul Gandhi, who is on a pilgrimage to Kailash Mansarovar, has been putting out pictures of the “tranquil and calm” waters of the Mansarovar lake on social media.

While his visit has created a political stir with many terming it as the Congress’ Hindutva pitch ahead to 2019 general elections, the pilgrimage has been a converging point for multiple religions across India, China and Nepal.

Mount Kailash, one of the tallest Himalayan peaks, forms part of Trans-Himalaya or the “Gangdise – Nyenchen Tanglha range” in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.

Believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, the peak is considered as one of the most sacred mountains across four faiths : Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and the Tibetan religion of Bon.

Thousands of people embark on the ‘Kailash Mansarovar Yatra’ between June-September every year to circumambulate the mountain. Mansarovar, a lake at an altitude of 14, 950 ft and with a circumference of 88 km, is considered pious across faiths.

Geology, Mountaineering and Weather

Mount Kailash is at an elevation of 6638 m (21778 ft). It is located near two lakes of religious and geographical significance – Mansarovar and Rakahastal.

Also known as Gang Rinpoche in Tibet, it is close to the source of some of the longest rivers in Asia – the Indus, Sutlej, Brahmaputra, and Karnali also known as Ghaghara.

A pilgrim crosses territorial boundaries of three countries – India, Nepal and China – to reach Tibet. The pilgrimage route runs 52 kms around the mountain which the pilgrims typically complete in 3-4 days before reaching lake Mansarovar which lies at 4,590 m (15,060 ft) above mean sea level.

Kailash Mansarovar has a cold and dry climate, typical to this region of Tibet. Summers at Mount Kailash last from May to August and the average temperature is around 15°C. The mercury levels can reach as low as -15°C with heavy snowfall.

Religious Significance

The significance of Mount Kailash and Mansarovar lake varies across different religions and faiths.

Hinduism

The Hindus believe the Kailash Parvat to be the abode of Lord Shiva, the Mansarovar lake is considered to be formed by Lord Brahma. According to myths, a person bathing in the lake is said to be 'cleansed' of his sins.

Buddhism

Mount Kailash, called as Mount Meru in Buddhist texts, is believed to be central to the Buddhist cosmology. According to Buddhist scriptures,Queen Maya was bathed by the gods in its waters before giving birth to Buddha.

Jainism

According to Jain scriptures, Ashtapada, the mountain next to Mount Kailash, is where the first Jain Tirthankara, Rishabhadeva, attained liberation or moksha.

The Bon Religion

Bon, a Tibetan religion, believes Mount Kailash to be the axis mundi or the centre of the world.

Has Anybody Ever Climbed Mount Kailash?

No individual has been allowed to climb Mount Kailash till date due to its religious significance across different faiths.

Due to extreme weather conditions and the nature of the terrain, experts and mountaineers have often cited it impossible to scale the mountain.

Renowned mountaineer Hugh Ruttledge, after completing the pilgrimage around Mount Kailash had described it “utterly unclimbable”. His wife being the first Western woman to take the pilgrimage.

In the 1980s, there were reports of Reinhold Messner, an Italian mountaineer being given the opportunity by the Chinese government to scale Mount Kailash, which were later denied by the Chinese government after facing backlash from religious groups.

The Routes

The yatra can be taken via two routes – Lipulekh Pass – a Himalayan pass on the border between Uttarakhand and Tibet and Nathu La Pass – a mountain pass in the Himalayas that connects Sikkim with Tibet.

According to Forbes, the Nathu La route was launched in 2015 and is the less arduous of the two possible routes to Mount Kailash.

Here's a map showing the two routes:

Indian Government's Role in Organising the Yatra

The Yatra is organised by the Minsitry of External affairs via both routes, the Lipulekh Pass and Nathu La Pass. The applicants need to spend a few days in Delhi for health check-ups and other necessary procedures before the pilgrimage begins.

This Yatra is organized with the support of the state governments of Uttarakhand, Delhi, and Sikkim; and the cooperation of Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). The Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN), and Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation (STDC) provide logistical support and facilities. The Delhi Heart and Lung Institute conducts medical tests to determine fitness levels of applicants for this Yatra.

The Delhi Government arranges boarding and lodging facilities free of cost for Yatris, which can be availed by the applicants as per their choice.

The Government of India does not take responsibility in any manner for any loss of life, injury or property of the pilgrims due to any natural calamity or due to any other reason. In case of death across the border, the government does not have any obligation to bring the mortal remains of any pilgrim for cremation to the Indian side. All Yatris are, therefore, required to sign a consent form for cremation of mortal remains on the Chinese side in case of death.

Eligibility Criteria

The government of India, while organising the pilgrimage, has laid specific eligibility criteria, application and selection process for thee pilgrims. Here are some points as specfied by the MEA:

• Must be citizen of India.
• Possess an Indian passport valid for minimum 6 months as on 1st September of the current year.
• Age should be minimum 18 and maximum 70 years as on 01 January of the current year.
• Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25 or less.
• Physically fit and medically healthy for undertaking the Yatra for religious purpose.
• Foreign nationals are not eligible to apply; OCI card holders are, thus, not eligible.

Application and Selection Process

Pilgrims need to fill an online application form availabe on the website kmy.gov.in and need to produce relevant documents as mentioned on the site.

Pilgrims are selected and assigned different routes and batches through a computer-generated, gender-balanced selection process. A group of two or more persons can apply to travel together in the same batch. Selected applicants are informed through automated messages to their registered email ids and mobile numbers.

Routes once alloted to applicants are not subject to change. However, one may apply seeking a change in the route citing valid reasons. Such requests are considered depending on the assesment of the specidfied reason and the availability of vacancy on the alternate route.

The selected applicants are required to confirm participation by crediting a non-refundable fees into a designated bank account of the Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN) or, the Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation (STDC) before the cut-off date.

(With inputs from kmy.gov.in, www.kailash-yatra.org, Forbes and TOI)