Kailash Yatra via Nathu La pass -4

Travel on the Chinese side -2

The bus journey was long and comfortable, they  started early in the morning and reached destination in the late afternoon or evening travelling an average distance of 450 Km per day. In between they stopped for lunch. 

Manasarovar lake in the background 

The beauty of the mountains 

 Map of Manasarovar and Rakshas Tal lakes

வழியில் ஒரு தங்கும் விடுதியின் சில படங்கள் 

Three dimensional view of Holy Kailash Mountain  

( The parikrama route also ahown) 

Shiva Family at Kailash 

Appar  

They stayed at Kangma, Lazi and Dzongba the accomodation was typical Chinese and reached Darchen the base camp for Kailash parikrama. They could not visit Asthapath but straightaway proceeded to parikrama of Kailash from Darchen. 

திருக்கயிலாய யாத்திரிகளுக்கான தகவல்கள்

Tea at Darchen 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Yatra continues .......

Holy Yatra to the Abode of Lord Shiva - 24

Back to Tokchen 

Darchen at dawn

Golden hued Lord's Darshan 

  

Closeup view of south face from Darchen  shrouded by clouds 

From Darchen only the top portion  of the south face of teh Lord is visible. This is a close up view highlighting the face of teh Lord. If you see intently you can visualize the  three  eyes brows and the mouth. 

Full view bereft of clouds

While travelling from Tokchen  also we got he full darshan of the Lord while going back also we got the darshan  in the reverse order. As we were leaving the Lord we have to turn back and see him with gratitude we did so and had a nice darshan. Clouds came and shrouded for some time and then it cleared  this seemed to us that the Lord was playing hide and seek game with us the ardent devotees of HIM. 

South face and the east face extension

Full view of south est face with extension and Ganesha

Magnificent view of the Lord

As we approached Tokchen on the banks of Manasarovar where the administrative building and the parking area is  situated. We get the panoramic view. One can see the changing colors of other mountains and pure white Kailsh Peak soaring above as if  King and queen are seated in their majestic throne. 

Now the east face also visible 

This was the first darshan of this yatra at the conclusion also we got the same wonderful darshan 

 Gurla Mandata ranges and Manasarovar

After  a very good darshan of almost all the faces of the Lord and the nice kora by some yatris we reached Tokchen. There we profusely thanked Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati for their benevolence in inviting us to their home and giving their graceful darshan. Only one thing we missed was Astapath and the closer view of the Lord from there. Our guides told that the Chinese Gove has banned  vehicles now and so it is not possible to go there.   Not knowing when one will another chance we stood there in silence and absorbed all the vibrations from the Lord. Time stood still for some time. Then we sang some hymns thanked the Lord and prostrated before Him. Left home bu the bus we travelled from friendship bridge.  

Administrative  building and parking space at Tokchen 

The lucky seven who completed the parikrama by the Grace of the Lord

Rendering holy Tamil hymns 

We travelled in the blue bus you see in the photo from Tokchen  circumbulating and having  Holy bath in   Manasarovar  reached Darchen stayed there and completed the parikrama and returned back from Darchen to Tokchen by the same bus. Nowadays only Tibetan Transport  company buses are allowed and other vehicles are parked here only.  With happiness we profusely thanked the Lord and Mother and started our journey back home. 

The holy yatra continues . . . . . .

Holy Yatra to the Abode of Lord Shiva - 2

                                        KAILASH   MANASAROVAR YATRA  2014
                                           

The hotel where we were accomodated

Kalish Manasarovar yatra is a high altitude trekking expedition. In high altitudes (above 3000m)  the air pressure and oxygen level in the atmosphere  is less. Also the weather is very fickle so one has to understand that one has to be physically fit without any major ailment to complete the yatra. Also minimum of three layers of  woolen clothing with monkey caps, gloves and socks is mandatory.   Proper acclimatization  only make the yatra comfortable. It's really a test of one's endurance. 

As Kailash is situated in Tibet Autonomous Region of China, Indian nationals need Chinese visa and special in-line permit to visit Kailash.  Also the Chinese Govt. issues only group visas ( paper) and does not stamp in the passports.  So one has to travel in a group only. 

                                                      A nice painting in the Hotel

                                         ( View of Annapurna Ranges with fishtail peak)

Model of  Pasupatinath Temple at the Hotel

There are two routes available for Indian nationals the first one is sponsored by External affairs Ministry.  The yatris travel nearer to  Indo-Nepal border and enter into Tibet by crossing Lipulekh Pass. The duration is 25 days for yatra and medical examination at Delhi. As only 18 batches of 60 yatris are allowed through this route the selection is by randomized computer selection among the applicants. Normally advertisement appears in  leading Newspapaers in the month of December and one have apply before 10th March.  As one have to trek for about 200 Kms one has to be physically fit so much importance is given to medical examination. 

 Mr & Mrs Chinnapappaiah 

The author 

Janarthan couple ready to enjoy a sumptuous breakfast

The other route is through Nepal.Many private tour operators  arrange for the yatra in association with tour operators based in Nepal. The yatris travel to Kathmandu, capital of Nepal and cross into  Tibet through the friendship bridge located at Kodari and then travel by Land Cruisers or buses  up to Darchen the base camp for Kailash parikrama.  The duration of the yatra is 13 days, but the cost will be more.  The main problem is acclimatization as the yatris travel without proper rest. Many physically unfit persons travel through this route and suffer from High altitude sickness.   

Kumaswamy expert in singing 12 Thirumurai with tune 

 Dhanalakshmi - Ramesh - Anandavalli 

Many yatris may be in a dilemma as to travel by which route? On  both the routes there are advantages and disadvantages overall as on today because of shorter duration and travel  upto Darchen by bus,  the  yatra can be done as per their convenience   and less distance of trekking the Nepal route scores over Indian route. As  almost  the  full journey inside Tibet is high altitude and  from Manasarovar the travel is common to  both the  routes one have to be physically fit. 

Kathmandu Tour
 some of my fellow yatris.

Latha

Latha - Balasubramanian couple

The journey from zanghmu the border town on the Tibet side back to Zangmu is as follows Nylam,  Saga, Tangbo and Hore on the shores of Manasarovar. For proper acclimatisation teh journey is an  extended  one . The whole itinerary was as follows:

Day 1 ( 04/09/2014): Travel from Chennai to Delhi, long wait and travel to kathmandu and stay at Kathmandu.

Day 2:   Tour of Kathmandu rest day for acclimatization.

Day 3: Kathmandu to Kodari partly by bus and part by trek to cross land slide. Stay at Tathopani. Normally  the yatris cross into Tibet and travel upto Nylam and stay there because of landslide we were delayed and stayed at Tathopani, because of this the yatra was delayed  by a day. 

Day 4: Kodari to Nylam and stay at Nylam.

Day 5: Stay at Nylam for acclimatization and  trekking practice.  

 The Route map of the yatra from Kathmandu

Day 6: Naylam to Old Drongpa by bus:  In between crossed Lalung la Pass (5500 M), Brahmaputra River , Saga town and stay at Old Drongpa.

 Day 7: Old Drongpa to Manasarovar. Had the first darshan of teh Lord, had a bath in Holy Manasarovar and stayed at Chiu on the shores of Manasarovar. 

Day 8:  Performed yagna at the shores of Manasarovar and travelled to Darchen and stay at Darchen( The base camp for Kailash  Parikrama) 

Day 9:  First day of parikrama.  Trek from Yamdwar to Deraphuk had the darshan of west face and North face of the Lord and stay at Deraphuk. 

Day 10: Second day of Parikrama. had the darshan of Mother Parvati ar Dolma and Her bathing ghat Gowri Kund trekked upto Zhuthulpuk and stayed there.

Day 11: Third day of parikrama a easy day of 6 Km trek reached Darchen. Travel by bus to Old Drangpa and stay there. 

Day 12: Travel from Old Drangpa to Nylam in between enjoyed the beauty of  Shi-Sha Pangma snow covered peaks, Paiku-Tso lake. 

Day 13 (16/09/2014):  Naylam to Kodari some yatris left to Kathmandu by Helicopter and others by bus and trek and reached Kathmandu and stay there.  

Day 14: Some yatris left for their home. Most of us proceeded to Muktinath yatra from Kathmandu. 

Elangovan - Kumarasamy

- Ramakrishnan

Revathi - Kalavathi 

Chinnapappaiah couple

V. Sekar -  Shriram

 Janarthanam couple

T.Sekar -  Venkatraman

The accommodation was spacious neat and comfortable. The hotel  also served  south Indian food. The location of the Hotel nearer to Pasupathinath temple was an added advantage. many of us just walked to the temple and had the darshan of Lord Pasupatinath. 

Morning prayer at Hotel 

One of our co-yatri Shri.Kumarasawamy was expert in singing  the 12 Thirumurais (The shaiva hymns) with proper tune. So along with him the group regularly  sang the hymns in the morning and evening  and prayed to Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati for a nice darshan and a trouble free  circumambulation ( Parikrama). 

The full  group of  devotees 

                                                                                                                                                                The yatra continues . . . . . . . . .