Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarova lies in the region of Burang. They are symbolized as the "Sacred Mountain and Holy Lake" of the Buddhism, Hinduism and the indigenous religion-Bon.
Mt. Kailash, named Gang Rimpoche in Tibetan, is the highest peak of Gangdise Mountain, with an altitude of 6638 meters (2177 feet). Like a huge diamond, the peak is centered among peaks that resemble an eight-petal lotus. From 100 kilometers (62 miles) away, the crystal snow clad peak can be gazed upon from the peaks of Mt. Gurla Mandata, which is deemed by Tibetan people as the Mountain of Goddess. Between the two sacred peaks are Lake Manasarova and Lake Rakshastal (La'nga Tso), which are called Holy Lake and Ghost Lake respectively. The neighboring lakes are linked by a natural underground tunnel although the water body is separate, simply like a pair of connected vessels. However, the Holy Lake is a freshwater lake whereas Ghost Lake is a saltwater lake.
The sacred mountain of Kailash is a spiritual center for Buddhists, Hindus and Bonists; who believe circumambulation around it can scour away ones sin. Circumambulation around Kailash consists of inner circumambulation and outer circumambulation. The outer circumambulation usually takes 3 days on foot and 15-20 days by prostrate body length. Generally circumambulators start inner circumambulation after 13 outer ones. According to the Tibetan calendar, since the year of the horse, many more pilgrims have come because people contend that one round equals 13 rounds in normal years.
In front of the Kailash lies the crystal Holy Lake, Manasarova (Mapam Tso) , which meant “unconquerable”. As one of the highest fresh water lakes in the world, the lake covers 412square kilometers (159 square miles) and its altitude is 4588 meters (15049 feet). Rippling blue water and reflections of snow capped peaks and white clouds present beautiful scenery that is almost indescribable. Nine monasteries were once set up around the holy lake to facilitate religious cultivation.
The lake is a holy lake to Buddhism, Hinduism and the local Bon faith. Countless of Buddhist, Hindus and Bonists pilgrims trek thousands of miles to pay their pilgrimage to the holy lake. Its Tibetan name means "perpetually invincible". It was said that in the 11th century, Milarepa, a great adepter in Tibetan Buddhism, fought a contest of magical power with a Bonist and defeated him. There are many other beautiful stories about the sacred, holy lake. Buddhists believes the lake was amrita bestowed upon Tibetan people by Chakrasamvara. People believe that the water from the holy lake can remove one's physical and spiritual discomfort. Even plants and fish that are somehow related to the lake are deemed as magical medicines. Pilgrims turning prayer wheels, circumambulate the lake to show their piety. Every summer, pilgrims from Tibet, India and Nepal cluster to make circumambulation and bathe in the lake. After, they will return home and bring samples of the holy water to family and friends as precious gifts.
Climate:
The weather is very changeable on the mountain. The temperature changes greatly during day and night. Tourist should know about the climate before going and prepare enough warm clothes.
Transportation:
The only possible transport to Mt Kailash from the south is to hitchhike a vehicle (Sometimes it is only possible to cover one part of the distance, and then you have to hitchhike another vehicle to continue with your trip). The transport from the north is mainly the trucks running to and from Shiquanhe Town. It is 330 km from Shiquanhe to the Sacred Mountain, and it takes 1 and half days to reach the mountain. The fee is about 50-80 RMB.
Admission fee:
It is charged to go circling the mountain, and the price is going up every year. The admission fee in year 2000 was RMB10 yuan per person; in 2001 it was RMB100 yuan per person. If the number of people who come for the circling keeps increasing, it is probable that the admission fee will be rising.
Best time to visit:
Any time is ok for the Circling. However, April 15 is the day when Buddha Sakyamuni was born, the day he became the Buddha, and also the day when he passed away and reached the state of nirvana. On that day, a ceremony of replacing the Mani flag is held at the entrance of the Sacred Mountain. The Tibetan Buddhists believe that the circumambulation this day will accumulate more virtues for them. So there are usually more people there that day.
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