Geologically, Mount Kailash was formed about 50 million years ago while the Himalayan range developed 10 million years ago.
The mountain is the father of four major Asian rivers:
Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra),
the Indus,
the Sutlej,
the Karnali.
Many consider the sacred mountain to be the centre of the heart of our planet, like a staircase connecting heaven and earth.
For Buddhists, Mt. Kailash represents the father mountain, the active male principal of skillful means - of method and action.
Accordingly, Buddhists associate Mt. Kailash with the tantric meditative deities, Chakrasamvara and his consort Vajrayogini (Dorje Pagmo).
Most often depicted in a sexual embrace, these Tantric deities represent the purified aspects of human nature, especially the wrathful or passionate aspects that could cause great suffering but which, if properly transformed by spiritual training, can lead to true wisdom and happiness.
Sexual union symbolises the union of wisdom and ultimate compassion to achieve the state of enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings.
The serene Lake Manasarovar represents the mother lake, the passive feminine principle of wisdom - the understanding of interdependence and non-inherent existence (fundamental void).
Accordingly, Buddhists associate Mount Kailash with the meditative Tantric deities, Chakrasamvara and his consort Vajrayogini (Dorje Pagmo).
Most often depicted in a sexual embrace, these Tantric deities represent the purified aspects of human nature, especially the wrathful or passionate aspects that could cause great suffering but which, if properly transformed by spiritual training, can lead to true wisdom and happiness.
Sexual union symbolises the union of wisdom and ultimate compassion to achieve the state of enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings.
A mandala to circulate
Kailash Mountain is a huge natural mandala. At its centre is a giant pillar connecting our physical world with the spiritual world and its cosmic base. The top of the mountain is the first body of Buddha. The Kailash Mandala consists of a square (base of the mountain), sides (walls), which are square and face the four cardinal points. There are also four T-shaped doors (approaches) to their planes. These four sides have their own colours and elements.
The circumanbulation around Mount Kailash actually consists of 2 main koras: the inner kora and the outer kora. The outer kora, with a total length of 52 kms, is the most used because the prerequisite for walking the inner kora is to perform 12 outer koras or to perform only one kora in the year of the horse, which will take place in 2026.
A place of transformation
The Kailash Mandala provides certain "reference" vibrations that activate a person's energy centres, "tune" the physical and spiritual bodies and greatly advance spiritual development.
The crossing of the Dolma-la Pass symbolises the transition from the previous life to the new one and all previous negative karmas are thus purified by Tara. It is said that no one can cross the pass without the consent of the deity, so everyone recites the mantra "Om tare tutare ture soha", the mantra of Tara, as they make their way to the pass.
Sudden storms are common on this pass. Legend has it that if the deity does not want to let a person pass, sudden storms or herds of animals will obstruct the path.
The Kailash Kora is a highly energetic place that is not to be walked in the manner of a tourist in a hurry or a trekker wishing to add one more trek to his long list... It can be walked in a mindfulness approach and having learned to meditate before doing it is a plus that will allow you to realize by yourself what it is in terms of feelings and therefore energies. This approach of the present moment and of feelings will allow the opening to internal perceptions that the place can reveal.
How to prepare spiritually?
Valerie Lobsang-Gattini, a Tibetan meditation and yoga teacher, regularly organises trips to the Himalayan regions and 2018 marks the date of a pilgrimage to Mount Kailash.
To this end, anyone who signs up for this trip through VoyagesBienEtre.com (and as soon as it is confirmed) will be offered access to the Kum Nye Tibetan Yoga and Relaxation online course in order to begin the process of integrating mindfulness and to better benefit from the Kora once there.
How to prepare physically?
The highest point of the Kora is at 5600m, and our arrival point in Tibet is at 3656m. The problem of altitude arises from our arrival in Lhasa.
VoyagesBienEtre.com works to ensure that everything goes as smoothly as possible, so if you wish to assess your risks regarding altitude, VoyagesBienEtre.com will deduct the cost of a tele-consultation with the specialist doctors of Ifremmont (Institute of Training and Research in Mountain Medicine) with whom we will be in partnership during this trip.
For more information, please visit the VoyagesBienEtre.com website
Is it compulsory to walk?
No! The 3 days of the Kora can be done on mules if you wish. The cost is about 200 to 250 euros for the 3 days and VoyagesBienEtre.com will pay 50% of the price!
The Kailash Kora is a call of the heart, the dream of a lifetime for most people who travel it...
Maybe it is yours?
Information about the trip: www.voyagesbienetre.com
Valerie on the way to the highest practice room in the world,
at 5330 meters high, at the foot of Kailash,
for a Lu Jong Tibetan Healing Yoga practice.
