Kailash Kora in Tibet
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Mt. Kailash, also called the Gang Rimpoche in Tibetan language, is recognized as the holiest mountain in Buddhism, Hinduism and Bon Faith. It is said that the Buddha of Sakyamuni was born in the year of Horse and if taking the Mt. Kailash Kora (Parikrama) in such a year, one circuit will be equal to thirteen circuits made in other years. So there are many more pilgrims coming here in the year of Horse. And if making the Kora on the date of April 15 of the Tibetan calendar, it is believed more merits and blessing will be received than other dates as this is the date of Sakyamuni’s Nirvana. The local Tibetan people believe one single Kora can wash the sins of a lifetime and to the Buddhists, 108 circuits will secure Nirvana in this life.
It is really worthy to make the Mt. Kailash Kora even you are not a pilgrim. Beside its holy religious status, the scenery at Mt. Kailash is so magnificent. The pyramid Mt. Kailash faces the Mt. Naimona Nyi (7694m) in far with the Barga plain staying quietly in the cradle of the snow-capped mountains. Especially at evening, the beautiful scenery is very fascinating. When you pass the trails used by pilgrims though thousands of years, you may feel you are wandering in a long history..and when you complete the Kora, your heart will be full of happiness and gratification.
There are two routes for the Mt. Kailash Kora: Outer Kora and Inner Kora. The Outer Kora is about 56km taking 2-3 days with overnight staying at Diraphuk / Zuthulpuk. Some local Tibetans walk so fast that they can complete one single loop within one day. And there are also pilgrims prostrating themselves after each step that will use 3-4 weeks to complete one loop. On the trek, you may meet Bon pilgrims circling the route counter clockwise. For the Inner Kora, according to the tradition, it shall be made only after 13 Outer Kora have been completed. It passes two lakes to the south of Mt. Kailash.
As the condition in Darchen and on trekking is poor, you’ll need to get prepared in advance in Lhasa or Shigatse, taking enough food such as cans, sausage, instant noodles, chocolatees, drinked water, etc. And it is necessary to hire yaks, yakman / porters to secure smooth sightseeing on road.
Relevant Topic:
Outer and Inner Kailash Kora Route
Yatra Trip to Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarovar