THIRTHA YATRA OF A LIFE TIME----- KAILASH MANASAROVAR

A pilgrimage - is a sacred journey . especially long one, has  a spiritual  significance.  it is a challenge  which brings  changes and  deeper understanding is attained.  Such pilgrimages are undertaken, once in a  life time.

this  divine thought was expressed by .our son -shankar.   we were so happy  we immediately accepted. as it was a desire always but never spelt. as  a person longs to see his birth place , shiva's  devotees long for this trip. we took advise from the experienced people for some tips which will be of help in our preparation.

First we need a tour operator.after analysing we decided to travel by ANNAPOORNI YATRA SERVICE  at chennai. it was nice talking to them over phone  .satisfied ,we reserved our seats.tickets to delhi and kathmandu was also booked. from there tour operators manage.

  

People told us about the high altitude. Bhuvana & Bharathi were very particular that we should  prepare our self, we need to do some exercise , meditation etc. .We have never been  regular in this.. finding the right place to suit our need was a real job .we decided to go with sri.vethathiri marishi's  simplified physical exercises.  here they teach simple exercises, massage ,acu-pressure and meditation. we were blessed to have teacher like sri.chandrashekar- who made this very easy for us . morning walk combined with  exercise class was good -.back home warming up with a  hot cup of coffee and biscuits , then starting our routine , really something different from our regular time table.we enjoyed this.

preparing the woolens and other dress for the yatra,was not difficult.

Making purchases for the trip as per the list given by the service people..sorting and  packing  getting small small gift items  to be distributed to the children in Tibet.

More than yatra we enjoyed the preparation . somehow we accepted this yatra mentally. so doing things was easy.

we started our journey enthusiastically and  with boundless happiness,  as if a small child is going to play in  the park , we enjoyed every moment of it.

yatra started at  kathmandu, we got introduced to the other yatri's. Tibet is full  of magnificent mountains,sacred lakes, water falls,lush green mountains , small small  hanging  bridges for people to commute .corn is widely seen here. we crossed small small villages.  one power generation plant was there. after nyalam contrast mountain of different colors, black, brown grey  were  seen.snow covered mountains looked nice in between them. 

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15 days went off  very fast. . we all enjoyed each other's company.  when parting  came, it was difficult. we cannot forget ANNAPOORNI HOT WATER ,  ANNAPOORNI TEA,  CHAAPPIDA VANGO, OF SHIVAM TOURS.

Our  trip to kailash went off well. We  do not know whether our sins are washed away or not, but  we got divine blessings . initiating the divine  yatra is on human effort,  but completion with darshan of holy kailash is entirely  up to his grace and  every body's  prayers and wishes. 

we are sharing our day to day  experience  also , with you ,  which will give a rough idea about this yatra . Preparing as per the list of the service people will make our journey comfortable. consult your family doctor , tell him about this trip. travel with  minimum cotton and sufficient  warm clothes   . besides  walking, doing physical exercise is a must. we should carry basic medicines.we should be prepared for  less appetite , lack of sleep , no bath through out the journey , lose of weight, (  good) .may be this is the effect of altitude sickness. eat as much needed avoid over eating.  liquid intake should be more.  extra  strong and rough bags to carry things. tour operator gives shoulder bag and big bags ..besides shoes carry slippers also . if not going for parikrama , carry  shloka (religious) books to keep you occupied.  don't at all expect luxury  but telephone facility is available through out. 
Travel with strong will power and belief in lord shiva - your yatra will be completed. 

       MANSAROVAR  AND  KAILASH  AT NIGHT

This word is derived from Sanskrit word MANAS AND SAROVARA. lord Brahma created this Divine lake in his mind first then  it  appeared on  the earth so it is MANASAROVARA. it is believed anybody drinks this water or takes holy bath in this lake will be washed off their sins and will attain RUDRALOK.  this is considered as shakti peetam also, as hands of SATI fell here.

 Buddhists and Jain also worship manasarovar and kailash. we can see HAMSA in the  lake which is considered sacred . It is worshipped for wisdom and beauty. which is attached to goddess saraswathi. near by rakshas tal is there , where ravana worshiped . no body goes near it.

   

KAILASH IS THE ABODE OF LORD SHIVA AND PARVATHI. significance of kailash manasarovar is immense . KAILASH is situated towards the north of manasarovar . snow clad kailash looks like lord shiva is himself standing  covered with holy ashes. kailash can also be seen as swayambu shiva linga .  darshan of this peak fills our heart with his grace. .during the day when the sky is clear  , we can see kailash. 
as is the procedure, on our return we did samaradhana to lord shiva , followed by a good lunch to our relatives and friends . we gave the  manasarovar sand and mani(stones) with rudraksha as prasadam. 

  Our memorable yatra to the ABODE OF LORD SHIVA CONCLUDED WITH GOOD MEMORIES FOR THIS LIFE TIME.