Discovering Panch Kailash: A Journey Through Mythology and Mountains
Hindu cosmology view Lord Shiva as one of the most important deities in Hinduism and known to be revered as the destroyer of all evils. There are several shrines dedicated to Shiva; however, Panch Kailash Yatra is considered to be very pious. It is all respected by the believers of the Hindu religion that these five mountains are the dwelling place of Lord Shiva on the earth with different significance from the spiritual as well as cultural point of view and mythology. It is a dream of every pilgrims and trekkers to visit these holy places as they have a feeling of tranquility and gorgeous views.
Opening & Closing Dates of Panch Kailash Yatras (Approximate)
These dates depend on weather conditions, snowfall, and regional administration permissions.
Mount Kailash (Tibet)
Opening: May
Closing: September–October
The journey is possible only when the Tibet Autonomous Region (China) permits it. The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, organized by India and China, usually takes place from June to September.
Adi Kailash (Uttarakhand, India)
Opening: May
Closing: October
Accessible in summer and early autumn. Heavy snowfall in winter makes it inaccessible.
Kinnaur Kailash (Himachal Pradesh, India)
Opening: June
Closing: September
Trekking is feasible only in summer due to harsh winter conditions.
Manimahesh Kailash (Himachal Pradesh, India)
Opening: July
Closing: September
The Manimahesh Yatra is usually held in August–September, coinciding with Janmashtami.
Shivling Kailash (Garhwal, Uttarakhand, India)
Opening: May
Closing: October
Located in the Gangotri region, this peak is accessible only in summer and early autumn.
The Panch Kailash comprises:
1. Mount Kailash (Tibet)
2. Adi Kailash (Uttarakhand, India)
3. Kinner Kailash (Himachal Pradesh, India)
4. Manimahesh Kailash (Himachal Pradesh, India)
5. Shrikant Mahadev Kailash (Himachal Pradesh, India)
All of these five Kailash peaks are religious and have many beliefs with regard to pilgrimages carried out by pious devotees of Lord Shiva. Thus, it is necessary to take a closer look at each of the types mentioned above.
1. Mount Kailash - The Ultimate Abode of Lord Shiva
Location: Tibet (China)
Elevation: 6,638 meters (21,778 feet)
It is also known as Kailash which is considered to be one of the five elements of Kailash mountains out of which this is ranked the most revered one.
Significance:
It is still regarded as the religious capital of four major religions in the world namely Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Bon.
The Hindus consider it a belief that Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati came to this place and are still in deep meditation here.
That is why even today, it is an unclimbed mountain, as it is believed to be sacred.
It is the origin place of four largest rivers of the region, which include Indus, Bramaputra, Sutlej and Karnali.
Being one of the most venerated forms of reverence, the Kailash Parikrama or the circumambulation of Kailash accounts to about 52 km in length.
Kailash Parikrama:
Tourists and pilgrims have to traverse the many cliffs and uneven terrains in a physically demanding three-days’ circumvention of the mountain. The maximum altitude on the pilgrimage is the Dolma La Pass which stands at 5,630 meters and this is where the devotees pay their dues in prayed.
2. Adi Kailash - The Chhota Kailash of India
Location: Pithoragarh district, Uttarakhand, India
Elevation: 6,191 meters (20,312 feet)
Adi Kailash is also called Chhota Kailash and is located in the hand region of the UT of Uttarakhand on the border of India and Tibet. It is believed as pious substitute for to those who are not able to go to the holy site in Tibet for Kailash Mansarovar. Site of almost religious interest is the **Om Parvat, a mountain with natural formation of snow forming the shape of the sacred “ॐ”.
Significance:
It is related to the presences of Lord Shiva and is also considered to be a place of meditation.
Divya kshetralayed which lies in Ujjayini also known as Ujjain, on the banks of the ‘Parvati Sarovar’, a calm water tank which is defaming by the pundits as man-o-namak which means a tank which purify one’s soul.
The people who trek the Adi Kailash Yatra get to cover several places and should visit villages such as Dharchula, Gunji, and Kuti among others.
Sri OM is one of the most ancient and sacred symbols believed to be naturally spiritually significant, and Om Parvat is therefore viewed as an object of great sacredness.
Adi Kailash Yatra:
The journey to Adi Kailash is rather adventurous through valleys, the green pastures and through tough terrains. Due to the three main religious, educational and noble causes to which the pilgrims adhere too, they get valuable chances to watch the gorgeous mountains in the region, the Rung people and their history.
3. Kinnaur Kailash - The Land of Shiva Lingam
Location: Kinnaur district, Himachal Pradesh, India
Elevation: 6,050 meters (19,849 feet)
Kinnaur is one of the five Kailash peaks dancing which has a natural Shiva lingam which is naturally sculptured in the form of a pillar and is 79 feet high.
Significance:
From morning to the evening the color of the Shiva Lingam transforms to different color representing the form of Shiva.
There is consideration of the site for divine discussions between Lord Shiva and other deities.
The Kinnaur Kailash Parikrama itself is a strenuous one with a distance of around 8250 meters / 60 Km circumference.
The village close by is Kalpa where the majestic view of the mountain is enjoyed.
Trek to Kinnaur Kailash:
This trek to Kinnaur Kailash is quite strenuous and demanding in terms of physical fitness experience for acclimatization. It goes through inclines and glaciated grounds and ends with uphill climb Shiva Lingam The trek is considered to be moderately difficult.
4. Manimahesh Kailash - The Sacred Jewel of Lord Shiva
Location: Chamba district, Himachal Pradesh, India
Elevation: 5,653 meters (18,547 feet)
Manimahesh Kailash or Chamba Kailash is one of the famous and sacred places to visit in Himachal Pradesh. Over it stands the Manimahesh Lake, which is considered sacred; the devotees bathe in it to wash sins.
Significance:
The name Manimahesh has connotations of jewel and more particularly with Lord Shiva and a belief that Lord Shiva’s crown sparkles on the peak of this mountain.
The Manimahesh Yatra is organized every year in the period of Janmashtami and Radha Ashtami.
It is further noted that the reflection of the peak in the lake is a sign of good orehematash.
People have said that one can worship and only the pure hearted person can witness the radiance of the Manimahesh peak.
Manimahesh Yatra:
Pilgrims walking from Hadsar to Manimahesh Lake distance is about 14Km. Frequently, the yatra is conducted by bare feet and in harsh weather with an intention of devotion.
5. Shrikant Mahadev Kailash - The Lesser-Known Jewel
Location: Kullu district, Himachal Pradesh, India
Elevation: 5,691 meters (18,671 feet)
The Transcendental Shrikant Mahadev Kailash is the least known among the five Kailash peaks but not less in sacred importance. As per the mythology associated with this place, Lord Shiva is said to be present here in his form of judicial meditation, and giving his blessings to the pilgrims visiting the place.
Significance:
Shrikant Mahadev Trek is one of those which are regarded to be difficult.
It is known that the first glimpse of the peak lists a pilgrimage and helps to receive the divine blessings and fulfill desires.
Place frequently attract sadhus, sage, and persons looking for a place to come to terms with their spirit.
Trek to Shrikant Mahadev:
It is a fairly tough climb to reach Shrikant Mahadev through thick forests, pastures and cliffs. The pilgrims get down here to pray at the temple and then move further to climb the hill.
Conclusion
In a way, the five Kailash Yatras signify the manifestation of Lord Shiva on the earth manifested in the Panch Kailash. Some are easily reachable by foot from a number of famous pilgrimage trail whereas some are exists at hard terrain of Himalaya having to trek through long and steep routes.
Besides the religious devotion, many people traveling to these holy places look forward to seeing wonderful nature of the Himalayan terrains. Regardless of the desire of an adventure, or love, or even searching for a divine powers of nature, the Panch Kailash is simply divine experience.
For most of the Shaivites, the Panch Kailash Yatra is considered to be the spiritual journey that leads them towards Moksha (Liberation) and the divine existence of Lord Shiva.
Har Har Mahadev!