At the altitude of 4585m(15043ft) lies which is considered the highest freshwater lake in the world – Mansarovar. Also referred to as Lake of Enlightment, or Lake of Consciousness, the vast calm water surface and the lack of oxygen easily plays with your mind.
The nearby mountain Kailasa, which means crystal in Sanskrit, is a known pilgrimage site. Its Tibetan name is Khang Rimpoche, meaning “The Precious One of Glacial Snow”. According to the Hindu, the God of destruction and regeneration itself, resides at the summit of the mountain.
It is considered by many, the center and the spiritual birthplace of the entire world. The mountain is located between six mountain ranges that symbolize a lotus flower, and there are four rivers that flow down its slopes into the “Four quarters of the world”.
According to all religions however it is considered a dire sin to set foot on its slopes, and there are tales of many people who have died trying to do otherwise.
Mount Kailasa is considered sacred by various religions. The Bon (Tibet’s pre-Buddhist religion) talk about it as the legendary magical battlefield where upon Bon’s defeat Buddhism became the primary religion of Tibet. The Jain refer to the mountain as the place where the first of their 24 spiritual leaders attained enlightenment.
The ultimate destination of souls is the ancient pilgrimage site where the followers take the arduous 50km (30mi) route around the mountain (clockwise for Buddhists and anticlockwise for Bons). The journey takes from a day to three weeks, depending upon your stamina.
It is believed that the one who completes 108 circuits of the mountain is assured enlightenment.
