Mount Kailash
Mount Kailash, 6,740 m., the abode of Lord Shiva, is the ultimate Hindu pilgrimage site, located in the west Tibet. Mount Kailash, which is believed to have been formed 30 million years ago when Himalayas were in their early stage of formation, is one of the most revered places in the Himalayas. It is the perfect mountain with awesome beauty, with 4 great faces. It is the spiritual centre for four great religions of the world: Hinduism, Buddhism, the Jain and the pre-Buddhist -Bon. For the Hindus, Mount Kailash is the earthly manifestation of Mt. Meru, their spiritual centre of the universe, described as a fantastic 'world pillar' 84,000 miles high, around which all else revolves, its roots in the lowest hell and its summit kissing the heavens. On the top reside their most revered God, Shiva, and his consort Parvati. For the Jains, an Indian religious group, Kailash is the site where their first prophet achieved enlightenment. For the older, more ancient religion of Bon, it is the site where its founder Shanrab is said to have descended from heaven. Four of the great rivers of Indian Subcontinent originate here and flow in the four cardinal directions: the Karnali (South), Indus (North), Sutlej (West) and Bramhaputra (Yarlung Tsangpo, East)
Mount Kailash Circumambulation, know as kora by Tibetan Buddhists and Parikrama by Hindu pilgrims, is a 3 days circuit trek. A single kora is believed to clean the sins of a lifetime where as 108 koras will give you complete nirvana
Lake Manasarovara
Spread out on the Tibetan plateau beside Mount Kailash is the giant lake of shifting colors - Lake Mansarovar. The lake is believed to have formed in the mind of Lord Bramha. A pilgrimage to Mount Kailash and a dip in the holy waters of in the Mansarovar brings you about salvation (Moksha) and wash away all the sins of life.
In both the religion, Hindu and Buddhism, the sanctity of the lake and its power of spiritual healing have been held high for ages. Making a round of the lake and taking a dip in it is believed to be purging one’s soul from sins and the body from sickness. In either of the religious interpretations, be it of the Buddhist or Hindus, the site is revered as dwelling of the divine which promises eternity to earthly creatures.
Ruins of Guge Kingdom
Located in the Ngari Region, Tibet Autonomous Region Ruins of Guge Kingdom are the Old Summer Palace of Tibet. While these ruins were once an imperial estate which fell into disrepair after the civil revolt and the invasion of the allied armies of eight foreign countries, the Guge kingdom also encountered civil strife and foreign attacks which fragmented the once prosperous state. However, the legendary kingdom hasn't been totally lost as much can be learned about it from its remains. Guge Kingdom played an important part in the economic and cultural development of Tibet. The kingdom advocated Buddhism, and many versions of this religion were created here and their teachings were spread from here into the heart of Tibet. The kingdom also served as a major center for Tibet's foreign trade.
The Ruins of Guge Kingdom now extend around the sides of a mountain more than 300 m. (984 ft.) high. Explorers have found over 400 rooms and 800 caves here, as well as some fortresses, secret paths, pagodas, arm storerooms, granaries and all kinds of burial places. Except for some temples, all the roofs of the rooms have collapsed, leaving only the walls. The ruins are surrounded by a city wall and a fortress marks each of the corners. Palaces, temples and local residences are distributed from the top to the bottom and only secret roads lead to the top, a layout designed to indicate the supremacy of the king and to ensure the safety of the palaces. Due to its great research value, the Ruins of Guge Kingdom have been listed under the first group of Cultural Relics of National Importance under the Protection of the State.
