Kailash Manasarovar Yatra with Muktinath via Lhasa
The Kailash Manasarovar Yatra is a highly revered pilgrimage that holds immense significance for adherents of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Bon religions. It is believed that even a mere glimpse of Mount Kailash can absolve all sins committed in a lifetime, while a ritualistic bathing in the sacred Manasarovar Lake purifies the mind and body.
For Hindus, the Mount Kailash is the epitome of pilgrimage, known as Parabrahma Kshetra, and revered as the abode of Lord Shiva, where he resides with his family and Shivaganas. The majestic mountain is venerated as Mount Sumeru or Meru, the center of the universe. Buddhists also hold the Mount Kailash in deep reverence, worshipping it as Kang Rinpoche, the abode of Chakrasambhara, the god of eternal bliss. The Kailash-Manasarovar area is home to eight significant Buddhist monasteries, including Chhu Monastery, situated on the western shores of Lake Manasarovar, which is believed to have been sanctified by Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava).
Jain followers hold the Mount Kailash in a special esteem, as it is believed that their first Tirthankara Rishavdev attained Kaivalya (Nirvana) in the Astapada mountain area, located near the Mount Kailash.
Similarly, the Bon practitioners, an indigenous faith of Tibet, regard the Mount Kailash as the place where their ancestors descended from heaven and settled in the Khyunglung area called the Garuda Valley. Apart from its religious significance, the Mount Kailash also attracts adventure enthusiasts seeking serene tranquility and breathtaking natural beauty.
The Kailash-Manasarovar Mandala is also home to several other sacred sites, such as Rakshasa Tal (also known as Skanda Sagar), Mount Gurlamandhata, Tirthapuri (also known as Adi Badrinath), Asthapada, Yamadwara, Saptarshi Cave, Gauri Kunda, Dolma La, Charansparsa Sthal, Nandi, Atmalingam, Dirraphuk, and Zutholphuk, each holding religious and spiritual significance.
Furthermore, the Kailash-Manasarovar Mandala is considered the origin place of four holy rivers of the Indian subcontinent - Brahmaputra, Sutlej, Indus, and Karnali.
Kailash Manasarovar Yatra with Muktinath offers ample opportunity to visit Muktinath Temple, the Temple of Salvation. Muktinath is one of the very important pilgrimage sites for the Hindu and Buddhist adherents who revere the sacred site as the place of Moksha (Salvation). The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and it is considered as one of the 108 divine orders. The temple has been glorified in various Hindu scriptures. The belief holds that seeing Muktinath frees one from sin liberate one from the cycle of rebirth and death. Within the Muktinath premises, there is a perpetual eternal flame which symbolizes the eternal presence of Lord Brahman. The pilgrimage to Muktinath also allows to take a ritualistic bath in 108 waterspouts, Dharma Kunda and Pap Kunda. The journey also offers an opportunity to find Saligrama in the Kaligandaki River.
Shree Kailash Manasarovar Yatra via Lhasa offers ample opportunity to explore major attractions of Lhasa likes of the fabled Potala Palace, the winter Palace of successive Dalai Lamas, Jokhang Temple, the center of Tibetan history, culture and Buddhism and Sera Monastery, where monks perform live debate.
Overland journey to Manasarovar itself is beautiful and mesmerizing as we drive pass beautiful lakes, picturesque pasturelands, hanging glaciers and Tibetan nomadic settlements. One gets enough time to get acclimatized before reaching Manasarovar.
The trip begins with an arrival in Kathmandu, the city of God and Goddesses and continues with a flight to Pokhara, the city of natural beauty and serenity. On the very next morning, the journey to Muktinath begins with a scenic flight to Jomsom offering magnificent views of mighty Himalayas including mythical mountain Nilgiri, Dhaulagiri and Annapurna I. After Darshan of Muktinath, one will return to Kathmandu and join with other fellow Kailash Yatris for the Kailash Yatra.
Arrival, Preparation, and Sightseeing in Kathmandu:
Welcome to Kathmandu, the land of lord Pashupatinath. We will receive you at Tribhuwan International Airport and transfer you to a 5-star hotel. In Kathmandu, we spend the initial four days visiting World Heritage Sites and sacred temples including Budhanilkanth and Doleshwor. During this time, we spare moments to make final preparations for the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra, attend detailed briefings, and perform Pashupatinath darshan and Rudrabishek before embarking on the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.
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Yatra Highlights:
- Darshan of Muktinath, the temple of salvation
- Perform Tarpan at Kagbeni, the confluence of holy Kaligandaki River and Krishna Gandaki
- Explore major attractions of the Pokhara
- Pashupatinath, Doleshwor Mahadev and Jalnarayan Darshan
- Havan at Pashupatinath
- Visit Potala Palace and Jokhang temple
- Experience Tibetan history, culture and traditional lifestyle
- Picturesque landscape
- Full Parikrama of Kailash
- Lingashworupa Darshan of Kailash from Driraphuk
- Darshan of Nandi, Ashtapada, Gurlamandhata, Hanuman Sagar, Atmalinga, Gaurikunda, Manasarovar and Rakshas Tal
- Visit Tirthapuri (Adi Badrinath) and Yamadwara
- Pure vegetarian meals during the entire Yatra
- 5 Star Hotel in Kathmandu on full board basis
