My feelings towards mountains have matured over the years from fear to awe to love. I have enjoyed being around the Himalayas and the Alps,watching the peaks glow every morning and evening under the warm rays of the sun. However, the oneness that I felt at the feet of the Mystic Mountain -Mount Kailash in Tibet redefined my relationship with mountains unlocking the spiritual being within me. Growing up in a Hindu family in India, stories of Kailash where Lord Shiva (hindu God)resided were narrated by elders to keep the naughty, fidgety children mesmerised for a while. I was no different and often pleaded to Lord Shiva to grant me one visit to his abode and I would not ask for anything for the rest of my life. It so happened that my prayers were answered 3 decades later and am trying to live by the promise made years ago. After an energizing dip in Lake Manasarovar in the extreme cold; it was time for the Kailash Parikrama
Mount Kailash – Journey Begins Day 1
Mount Kailash (about 6600 metres) is a part of the Himalayan Range and is off immense spiritual significance to Hindus, Buddhists and Jains. This is a single block mountain perpetually covered in snow, with deep ridges on all sides which allows pilgrims to circumambulate the entire 42 kms on foot or pony back which is referred as “Kora” by the Buddhist and “Parikrama” by the Hindus. No one in living history has been able to scale the mountain as yet.We assembled at Tarboche in the morning to be assigned with helpers or pony’s for the long trek through a difficult terrain. The assignment is random and once assigned,you have to be with the helper for the rest of the journey.
I was quite oblivious of what was happening around, admiring the low clouds extending their blessings for the journey of a life time that lay ahead. The journey from Manasarovar to Tarboche after a night halt at Darchen (base camp for Kailash Kora) had been one of anticipation, one of eagerness and often restless, thinking about my Ist Kora (Circumambulation) around Kailash. We passed through the Yama Dwar just before Tarboche which is symbolic of our ability to leave behind our mortal inadequacies before receiving the highest blessing. We had to trek 12 km through the highs and lows of the mountain terrain to reach Deraphuk(16500 feet) for a night halt.
As soon as our group was flagged off for the journey, I set out on foot with my helper along the Lam Chu River, negotiating stones, sometimes accidentally stepping on them, and generally looking around. I would often sit on a boulder to take a picture or two or simply chant “Om Mani Padme Hum” or “Shiv o Hum” marveling at nature’s creation and in gratitude for the locals who have been able guardians for them on earth.
After about 2 hours I took a short food stop, catching up with the group and chilling with the pristine pure stream water. I could feel the flow of water through my gut.
The next part of the journey was even better, often crossing makeshift, apparently robust but fragile looking bamboo bridges and sometimes stopping by to tie a Buddhist Prayer Flag. I could sense my feet were slowing down, wanting to pause every now and then. It was not mountain sickness, nor a bout of fatigue but a deep desire to relish every moment in the surrounding. 
After walking another 2 hours in the divine surrounding, I could sight the North West Face of Mount Kailash. The snow covered peak appeared like a 5 hooded snake that is often seen with the images of Hindu Gods and is believed to be the ultimate protector. To me they are the symbols of our 5 senses ever so reminding us to maintain balance for a peaceful life. I stood there mesmerised, remembering my grand mother’s stories of Kailash and my own childhood whispers with moist eyes!! Finally, I was at the feet of the mighty Mount Kailash. 
Though, I had imagined that Lord Shiva will be waiting there to welcome me into his abode in Mount Kailash, the people around the guest house, the cooks and sherpas accompanying our group were his able messengers taking care of our every need just as he would do. There was more to come the following day and I retired in my restful place after a hot bowl of delicious soup between the warm clean sheets, contemplating and attempting to journey inward in silence.
More about my time spent at the feet of the mystic mountain in the next part.
Very beautifull and amazing… the mountain and river are so baeutifull.
Thank You so much.
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Thank you for visiting my blog. It indeed is, if you have the time, read the second part as well which was more of an inner awakening
What a wonderful pilgrimage to be able to make. Your photos bring something of the energy of the sacred mountain to me. Thankyou.
Thats a great compliment Suzanne, I am honored. Glad to know that my words generated that energy!!
Very beautiful. Wish I can make to that place someday.
I am sure you will, just leave that intention with the divine
You just took me to Mt. Kailash. Only at the end of your article, i descended from there. Thanks. Feel like going there instantly!
Thanks Arun. Maybe I can help with the trip when every you plan to go….
Hi Sangeetha – I visited Kailash and mansasarovar before 2/3 weeks ( May 2013 last week). We also went through the Katmandu route . We could only finish the Parikrama upto Derapuk as the chinese army has warned us of 7 -8 feet Ice on way to Dolma Pass and it will be dangerous . . But we made a dip in Mansasarovar and climbed the hill near Derapuk to see Kailash clearly
Thanks for your articles
Great…actually we were lucky since the group before us had faced the same situation as you did. Why some of these things happen, is hard to explain …and all we can do is just surrender to the divine almighty.
Lovely post sangeeta 🙂 hope to go for kailash mansarovar yatra someday 🙂
You must and it has been the most humbling and mystical journey for me ever. Thank you for reading.
Incredible journey and images are awesome.
Thank You.
Manasarovara has its place in Hindu mythology… I think I should visit that place at the earliest. Thanks for sharing your experience through this post.
Please do. In case you are upto trekking try to do the Govt Trip which is about 21 days but trekking through awesome locales in India and Tibet. I did the short cut one through Kathmandu
marvelous photos, dream trip !
Indeed it was. A slice of heaven on earth.
I impressed with your gr8 blog 🙂
Thank You very much.
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Dear Sangeeta,
I hope that one day I will be able to make a pilgrimage up a mountain like you have. For indeed, it is a pilgrimage isn’t it? The photos from your journey are magnificent and I cherish the spiritual significance that you share here. Thank you so much and I look forward to the next post at the feet of the mystic mountain. Wishing you a wonderful day and so good to be connected to you! Hugs, Sharon
Dear Sharon,
Thank you so much for your kind comments. Nature has a healing effect and I feel that so much with the mountains and the sea. May be they teach us to be mindful. Take care, keep writing, and am so glad to have met you here.
Love Sangeeta