Kailash Mansarovar Mahayatra 2018

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The fervour for the Kailash Mansarovar Mahayatra had begun building up much before the yatra. Month after month as Pujya Gurudevshri mentioned about Kailash Mansarovar in His pravachans, the enthusiasm and excitement among devotees was palpable. Just before the commencement of the Mahayatra, in the pravachan at Mumbai on 5th August, the Sadguru strengthened the purpose for the pilgrimage urging seekers to turn inwards. For the blessed 180 pilgrims, chosen from across 12 countries and 35 cities, the preparations for the hallowed Mahayatra had begun well in advance and everyone geared up, both physically and mentally, for the momentous journey.

Welcoming the Master in Kathmandu

Kathmandu, the capital and largest city of the mountainous nation of Nepal, welcomed the epitome of spiritual grandeur, Pujya Gurudevshri; as He landed at the Tribhuvan International Airport on August 7. The Master was accorded a traditional Nepalese welcome through the Panchakanya dance.

The evening was adorned with soulful chanting and an absorbing meditation session after which devotees expressed their jubilation with nrutyabhakti. The seekers were also blessed with an enlivening Udghosh highlighting the importance of detachment from the world and awareness of the Self.

While in Kathmandu, Pujya Gurudevshri along with devotees visited the Swayambhunath Temple. The temple is one of the holiest Buddhist Chaityas in Nepal. This stupa is the oldest of its kind in Nepal and has numerous shrines and monasteries on its premises. Pujya Gurudevshri had a cordial interaction with Managing Director at CG Corp Global, Rahul – Surabhi Chaudhary.

Beginning the Ascent in Lhasa

Situated at an altitude of over 12,000 feet – Lhasa, meaning the ‘Place of the Gods’, has been the centre of the Tibetan Buddhist world for over a millennium. Considered as a city of wonders, Lhasa is home to many culturally significant Tibetan Buddhist monuments. The Sadguru was given a traditional Tibetan welcome as He arrived in this ‘City of Sunshine’ which receives more than 3,000 hours of sunshine annually. Dressed in Tibetan costumes, seekers endearingly greeted Pujya Gurudevshri.

The Master’s two empowering Udghosh intensified seekers’ spiritual resolve. The gathering delved within in a meditation session. Seekers soared in devotion through a beautiful bhakti singing the glory of Shri Ashtapad Tirth recounting elevating moments from the life and times of Shri Adinath Bhagwan and other great souls.

At Lhasa, along with the Master the assemblage visited the magnificent Potala Palace, the place which once served as the Headquarters of the former ‘Church – State’ of Tibet and the winter palace of the Dalai Lamas. Perching high above much of Lhasa, the awe-inspiring Potala Palace contains over 1,000 rooms, 10,000 shrines and about 2,00,000 statues. The group also visited Norbulingka Palace, known as The Jewel Park. This Palace served as the summer residence of Dalai Lamas and is richly decorated with a colourful garden landscape. Pujya Gurudevshri also visited the 7th century built Jokhang Temple, known as ‘House of the Buddha’. The temple is the holiest site of Tibetan Buddhism in the centre of the old town of Lhasa.

The group rejuvenated their mind and body through yoga sessions and energetic nrutyabhakti.

The Voyage to Shigatse and Saga

After acclimatising to the high altitude in Lhasa, the group arrived at Tibet’s second-largest city, Shigatse, via a train journey through the scenic landscapes of the region. The troupe visited the iconic Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in Shigatse. The Monastery is the seat of the Panchen Lama, the second most important spiritual leader of Tibet. It is approximately 600 years old and has a magnificent architectural style with a golden roof and resplendent buildings. In the harmonious ambience of the monastery seekers experienced tranquil moments with the Master through chanting and meditation.

Saga, a county in the northwest of Shigatse, was the next stop for the pilgrims. En route to Saga, devotees satiated hearts as they spent time with the Sadguru near a picturesque lake. Located at an altitude of over 15,000 feet, Saga is a charming county with many lakes and hot-springs.

Unforgettable Moments at Mansarovar

The blessed pilgrims along with their beloved Sadguru proceeded towards the holy Mansarovar. En route the group halted at the banks of River Brahmaputra, the highest major river in the world. The Brahmaputra is said to originate in the Kailash ranges of the Himalayas and it flows through Tibet, India and Bangladesh for a total length of 2,900 kms before merging into the Bay of Bengal. The Master performed a divine arti at the banks of Brahmaputra. Devotees were delighted to witness a rare sun halo.

As the group reached Mansarovar, the sublime sight of the blue and emerald green Lake left everyone amazed. Considered as an embodiment of purity, the highest freshwater Lake sits at an astounding height of 15,000 feet. Led by Pujya Gurudevshri seekers endeavoured to shed their temporal confines and connect with their vast, limitless nature through sky gazing meditation on the banks of Mansarovar. Extending Himself the Sadguru endearingly hugged each and every seeker.

In an empowering Udghosh, the Sadguru bolstered seekers encouraging them to focus their efforts towards Self-realisation. Underscoring the sacredness of the land the Sadguru impelled devotees to cultivate sacredness within and increase inner silence in their spiritual pursuit. Devotees venerated Shri Adinath Bhagwan through a blissful pujan of Shri Bhaktamar Stotra. A sacrosanct Ashtaprakari Puja connected seekers deeply to the Divine. An electrifying Chaityavandan and arti infused the air with piety.

Along with the Master, devotees took a dip in Mansarovar and felt revitalised by its serene waters. Devotees were ecstatic as they took the opportunity to do pakshal of their Sadguru with the Mansarovar water. Pujya Gurudevshri and seekers also participated in a devout ‘havan’ conducted on the banks of Mansarovar. Expressing the bliss within Pujya Gurudevshri danced with seekers.

Devotees arrived at the Chiu Monastery which is situated atop a rocky hill overlooking the Lake. In the Master’s engulfing presence devotees sat in meditation amid the windy and cold environs.

The Sacred Parikrama of Mount Kailash

Regarded as the spiritual centre of the universe the Mt. Kailash is a foremost pilgrimage destination for Hindu, Buddhist, Jain and Bon religions. Towering over the entire landscape, the pristine Mt. Kailash sprinkles its magical serenity and spirituality throughout the Himalayan region. Regarded by many as the voyage of a lifetime, the Kailash Parikrama pilgrimage is an astounding and majestic experience.

Extreme altitude, low oxygen content in the air, unpredictable weather, cold conditions, rugged terrain make Mt. Kailash Parikrama a challenging one putting both mind and body to test. After a prayerful and spirited flag off of the Parikrama Pujya Gurudevshri along with the entourage embarked on the 52 km long circumambulation of Mt. Kailash.

The Parikrama began from Darchen, a small village at an altitude of over 15,000 feet. The caravan reached Yam Dwar believed to be the place of entering the abode of Lord Shiva. Walking in the Sadguru’s company, marvelling at mother nature’s creation and negotiating the mountain terrain devotees relished every moment of the Parikrama. The 1st day of the Parikrama culminated with the troupe travelling from Darchen to Diraphuk, situated at a height of 15,700 feet taking around 6 hours. The journey is a gradual ascent amidst an uneven landscape and offers pilgrims the first proximate vision of the magnificent Mt. Kailash.

Devotees stood mesmerised at the first direct vision of the great mountain. Pilgrims meditated with the Master gazing at the splendid Mt. Kailash.

The morning sun of the second day arrived with connecting chants. Along with devotees the Sadguru venerated the Lord with Chaityavandan and Devvandan.

The second day of the journey involved a trek from Diraphuk to Zutulphuk. The gruelling trek involves a steep ascent and descent that is tricky to clear requiring around 10 hours. The precarious uphill trek took devotees to as high as over 18,000 feet at Dolma La Pass. The Dolma La Pass is the highest point of the Mt. Kailash Parikrama and is followed by a downhill path strewn with rocks and snow making it difficult for pilgrims. After the descent from Dolma La Pass the caravan arrived at the scenic Gauri Kund, which is said to be the birthplace of Lord Ganesha. After a series of steep descents and undulating patches pilgrims arrived at Zutulphuk.

The third day marked the completion of the Parikrama. The group returned after the final leg of the Mt. Kailash Parikrama from Zutulphuk to Darchen.

On the journey back Pujya Gurudevshri offered prayers at a sacred stupa and arrived at Shri Ashtapad Tirth. The Master offered prostrations and venerated the 24 Tirthankar Bhagwans with the Logassa Stotra. The compassionate Master prayed for the welfare of all beings and tied a Jain flag at the Tirth.

Pilgrims were blessed to receive Certificates of Completion of the Kailash Mansarovar Mahayatra from the pious hands of Pujya Gurudevshri. As pilgrims, from youngsters to senior citizens, reflected on the Kailash Mansarovar Mahayatra and the Parikrama on their return trip each one felt it was only Divine Grace that saw them to and through the hallowed pilgrimage. It was the Beloved Sadguru’s inexhaustible care, His constant and unmitigated impetus, His generous gestures of love and encouragement that helped each one complete the Mahayatra and propelled them towards their innate divinity.