Kailash Mansarovar Yatra

Tips for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Revised

noreply@blogger.com (kailash Mansarovar Yatra) — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 07:29:00 +0000

Kailash Manasarovar Yatra a pilgrimage taken by the ordained and the blessed. This divine and once in a life time yatra holds significance for the Hindus, Buddhists and Jains which has great religious and cultural value. Raghukul Holidays offers the best Kailash Mansarovar tour package and have been helping pilgrims every year to successfully complete this yatra.

Tips for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2015

Tips for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra

The Yatra to this beautiful and picturesque place taken by thousands of people from all over the world is an arduous one which involves trekking on a rugged terrain at a high altitude (19,500 feet) under harsh and cold conditions. Only a physically fit and healthy individual can embark on this pilgrimage. The pilgrims who have registered for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2015 have to take into account the following tips which will ensure a pleasant and safe journey.

Clothing Tips

Warm thick and thin pullover one each
2 Warm pants
Warm Windproof jacket
2 Long Thermal under pants
4 Full sleeve cotton T-Shirts
2 Thermal vest and warm full T-shirts
Warm gloves

Raincoat with hood, sun hat, Monkey cap
Ankle high boots should be brought along to avoid any muscular sprain.
Light tennis shoes, rubber sandal, 6 warm woolen socks and cotton socks, and extra shoe laces
1 Big towel and one small hand towel
Toiletries which include washing solution, soap, etc.
Paper tissue and plenty of handkerchief

*Wear a wind cheater over many thin clothes, instead of wearing one or two thick clothes

*Wear cotton and woolen socks to protect feet from cold

Personal Care Tips

To protect your eyes from snow blindness wear sunglasses
Dusting powder to keep feet dry as wet shoes can cause blisters.
Protect hands and feet from the extreme weather as exposure to extremities can lead to high altitude pulmonary edema
Intake of lots of water and fluids is necessary to energize your body
To avoid sunburn apply sun cream or calamine lotion on exposed parts
Give immediate treatment to cuts, skin ulcers and blisters
To avoid numbness keep moving toes, facial muscles and fingers
Stay close together to remain warm.
Take food regularly as high altitudes tend to kill appetite and can also cause loose motion
Don't sleep with the boots on as they may freeze. Keep them inside your sleeping bag during yatra nights
Don't overexert.
Avoid alcohol.

Other equipments

A porter will be provided for the yatris to carry the bulky luggage. You are required to carry a small back pack which will contain essentials like:

snacks, water bottle filled with water, dry fruits
small scissors, knife, safety pins,
torch, waterproof matches, lighter,
Camera, film, map

First Aid Kid- Every Yatri is required to carry a first aid kit and has to contain the following items:

Antiseptic cream or wound disinfectants like iodine and any tube-squeeze cream

Foot care and Blister Treatment ointments
Thermometer
Moleskin, Band-aids, gauze pads, elastic bandages, adhesive strips and roll
Antibiotics, antidiarrheals like lomotil, Lozenges like Strepsils (in plenty)
Anti-inflammatory like Brufen, Avil, or general painkillers
Sunscreen oil, Antifungal ointment, Neosprine Powder and cream
ORS sachets like Electral, Vicks inhaler and vaporub, chap sticks

*Do not take antidiarrheals and antibiotics without consulting your doctors.

Safety Tips

During an electric storm open space is much safer. One can even sit down on a non-conducting sheet to avert any mishap. Also ensure the following:
- Do not use metallic objects or wireless aerials and do not point them as they can attract lightning.
- Keep away from conical rock
- Do not take shelter under a tree or remain on the top of hills if one has.
Trekking should be done early in the morning
Walk steady and always together with a companion
Don't get separated from the group

Tips before the Trip

If you want to take up this journey, then the following suggestions will surely help to make your journey a memorable experience.

Indulge daily in routine exercises like 30 minutes walking, jogging, stretching, aerobics which will keep you in shape for the arduous journey.
Practice walking with trekking shoes on to make walking easier during the yatra.

To deal with altitude sickness and acclimatization refer to books and journals on trekking.

Follow these trips to enjoy the divine and splendid experience.

Kailash Mansarovar Travel Tips

noreply@blogger.com (kailash Mansarovar Yatra) — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 11:14:00 +0000

Kailash Manasarovar Yatra is a once in a lifetime experience. It is real blessing for an individual to embark on this wonderful journey to the spiritual centre of the four religions: Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Bonpo- the pre-Buddhist animistic religion. Raghukul Holidays has been successfully helping people to fulfill this journey of their lifetime. They suggest a few tips which will help for a smooth, wonderful and divine experience.

Guidelines for the Yatris

Climatic condition:

Kailash Manasarovar is generally warm during days and cool during nights. The summer season (May to November) is most ideal for the yatris to visit the place for meditation and to obtain blessings of the divine and also for meditation. The average temperature during this season is around 15°C which is very convenient for the yatris to visit the temple and nearby attractions and to have a dip in the holy waters. The temperature can reach sub zero during winters (December to April).

Travel Tips

Visa & Documentation:

Visa is mandatory for all foreign nationals including Indians to enter Tibet. A valid passport is a prerequisite in order to obtain Chinese VISA.

Details of your Full name, Date of Birth, Occupation, Nationality, Passport Number, date of issue and expiry of Passport should be furnished 30 days prior to the trip.

Two passport size photographs

Please note the VISA is not stamped on your passport but a Group VISA will be issued on a separate piece of paper by the Chinese Embassy

Transportation:

From Kathmandu till Kodari Border, tourist bus or van will be provided for transportation based upon the group strength. In the event of any landslide, the best available mode of transport will be provided for which additional charges will be applicable.

The group will be transported from Friendship Bridge till Zhangmu (8 km) in the best available local vehicle. If the road gets washed away, the yatris will have to trek for about 2 hrs.

A 4500 C C Land Cruiser will be provided from Zhangmu onwards for 4 persons in each.

The camping equipments and Sherpa staff members will be transported in a separate support truck.

Yaks will be provided to carry the personal heavy baggage and camping gears during the Kailash Parikrama.

Throughout the trip English/ Tibetan speaking guide and few Nepali staffs will escort the group for the camping.

Accommodation:

Most of the times one will be away from modern civilization as Kailash Mansarovar probably lie in the world's most remote part. It is very important to be well equipped and self contained.

The group will have to stay overnight whenever required in trekking style camps which includes accommodation in sleeping bags, two men tents and mattress.

Simple Guest house accommodation comprising of dormitory, common bathrooms and toilets will be provided wherever available. However, hot water will be provided in every room for refreshing and for drinking.

Use of candles inside the tents is strictly prohibited due to risk of fire accidents. Use of torch light is suggested inside the tents.

Health specifications

The yatris to embark on this journey need to submit a health certificate attested by a reputed doctor confirming the fitness of the participant to travel in altitudes of 5700 meters.

The yatris will have to carry a first aid kit should containing the following items:

Antiseptic cream or wound disinfectant like iodine

Antifungal ointment and Neosporin Powder

Antibiotics, antidiarrheals, Lozenges like Strepsils (in plenty)

General painkillers or Anti-inflammatory like Brufen, Avil, Blister Treatment and Foot care ointments

Sunscreen oil, chap sticks and Cold cream

Thermometer

Band-aids, elastic bandages, adhesive roll and strips, gauze pads, moleskin

ORS sachets like Electral, Vicks vaporub and inhaler.

Please check with your doctors regarding antibiotics, antidiarrheals and other necessary medicines.

Other equipments

Porter will be provided for the yatris to carry the bulky luggage. You can carry a small back pack which will contain:

Water bottle filled with water, snacks, dry fruits

Knife, Small scissors, safety pins

Torch, waterproof matches, lighter

Map, Camera, film

Clothing

Although it will be warm inside the vehicle but you will begin to experience the cold winds of the Tibetan Plateau once you step out. Suggested clothing includes:

Warm thin and thick pullover one each, Warm Windproof jacket

2 Warm pants

4 Full sleeve cotton T-Shirts

2 Long Thermal under pants, Thermal vest and warm full T-shirts

Warm gloves, Monkey Cap, Raincoat with hood, Sun hat

Ankle high boots to avoid any muscular sprain

Rubber sandal, Light tennis shoes, 6 warm woolen socks, and extra shoe laces

1 Big towel and one small hand towel

Toiletries with washing solution, soap, etc.

Plenty of handkerchief and Paper tissue

Tips during the Trip

Don’t point metallic objects upwards during electric storms as they can attract lightning. Also, keep away from conical rocks and don't take shelter under a tree or on the top of hills. Open space is the safest and one can also sit down on a non-conducting sheet etc.

The shoes should be kept inside the sleeping bag during yatra nights, otherwise they may freeze.

Avoid exposure of hands and feet to extremities as it can lead to high altitude pulmonary edema.

Your body needs a lot of energy so consume lot of water and fluids

Good sunglasses need to be worn to protect eyes from snow blindness

Keep fingers, facial muscles and toes moving

Trekking should begin early in the morning

Always walk with a companion and do not get separated from the group

Eat appropriately

Overexertion and consumption of alcohol to be avoided

If you want to travel to Kailash Manasarovar, then the following suggestions before the trip will surely help to make your journey a memorable experience.

Follow some routine exercises daily like walking (30 minutes), jogging, stretching, aerobics which will put you in the right shape.

Read books on trekking which will help you to deal with altitude sickness and acclimatize properly

Kailash Mansarovar story

noreply@blogger.com (kailash Mansarovar Yatra) — Mon, 10 Nov 2014 11:01:00 +0000

Truly blessed is one who gets a call from within to visit the place where philosophers, holy sages and even Gods got submerged in a blissful trance. A visit to the most sacred “Theerta Sthaan” – The Kailash Manasarovar is truly a divine experience for all devotees. The place itself radiates spiritual energy and if your mind is at peace the entire experience will be enthralling and blissful. Only the ordained can embark on a holy and spiritual yatra to Kailash Manasarovar.

This place is significantly important for four religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Bon. There are many interesting facts and stories associated with this divine place which will throw light on why one is blessed to take up the Kailash Manasarovar yatra.

Facts about the Kailash Manasarovar

Mount Kailash also known as Gang Rinpoche by the Tibetans is a peak in the Kailas Range or Gangdise mountains which is a part of the Transhimalaya in Tibet. This sacred and holy place is revered by the Buddhists, Hindus and Jains. Kailash in Sanskrit means ‘crystal’. The Tibetan name signifies 'Treasure or Saint of Snow Mountain'.

Significance of Kailash Manasarovar

The Kailash Manasarovar has a great religious significance in the four religions- Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Bon.

Hinduism

The Hindus believe that Lord Shiva resides with his wife Parvati in this legendary mountain. He sits in a perpetual state of meditation. In Hinduism, the Kailash Mountain is also synonymous with his power symbol ‘Om’. The Vishnu Purana, states that the four faces of the mountain are made up of crystal, gold, lapis lazuli/sapphire and ruby. The Kalpa Viruksha tree (the celestial tree) is also believed to adorn the slope.

The mountain is linked with the history of the Ramayana. In order to revive the dead and injured soldiers of Prince Rama who were fighting the Rakshasa army of Ravana in Lanka, the mighty monkey ally of Rama, Hanuman was sent to fetch the ‘Sanjeevani’ medicinal herb which restores life from Mt. Kailas. Unable to recognize the plant, Lord Hanuman picked up the mountain and brought to Lanka. Once the herbs were collected, it is said that Hanuman intending to restore it to its original place, tossed the mountain back in the direction of the Himalayan range. But, as it was tossed from a great distance, it landed lopsidedly and some of the snow dropped into Tibet and it is now called Tise (Mt. Kailas).

Jainism

The Jains refer to the mountain as Meru Parvat or Sumeru. It is here that the first Jain Tirthankara or leader, Rishabhadeva attained ‘Nirvana/Moksha’ meaning liberation or enlightenment.

Buddhism

According to Buddhism, Mount Kailash is the abode of the enlightened soul ‘Buddha’ who represents supreme bliss. For Buddhists it is the place of Chakrasamvara or Demchog. They also believe it to be the navel of the universe.

Bon

In Bon religion which is similar to Buddhism it is considered to be the home of the Sky goddess ‘Sipaimen’. It is believed that this is a mystical region and the Swastika Mountain is the seat of all spiritual power.

It is also believed that Guru Nanak meditated here.

The mountain lies near Lake Manasarovar and Lake Rakshastal and is the Kailash-Manasarovar region is the source of the Holy Rivers like Indus, Tsangpo/Brahmaputra, Karnali and Sutletj.

Manasarovar

The Manasarovar Lake is considered to be the source of all creations. Manas means ‘mind of Lord Brahma’ and according to the Hindu mythology, Brahma the Swayambu created this lake for meditation. In Sanskrit the lake is called "Manasa sarovaram", which is a combination of the words ‘Manasa’ i.e. mind and ‘sarovaram’ meaning lake. It is also supposed to be the summer abode of the sacred Hamsa goose which represents beauty and wisdom. Situated at a height of 4560m the lake is amongst the highest fresh water body in the world. It is also believed that between 3 to 5 am which is referred to as ‘Brahmamuhurtha’, the Gods come to bathe every morning in this lake. The lake is believed to contain the essence of all the Vedas. It is also the place of holy ceremonial bath wherein oblations are offered to the ancestors.

Buddhists believed that Queen Maya was given a bath by the Gods in this lake before she gave birth to Lord Buddha.

Raghukul holidays has been taking many yatris on a pilgrimage to this divine place which is a once in a life time rewarding and blissful experience. One is sure to achieve inner-peace and good fortune by the holy ritual of ‘Parikrama’ or circumambulating Mount Kailash on foot and prostrating full-length. The Holy Scriptures state that one who takes a holy dip in the Manasarovar and carries single set of parikrama around the mountain is said to wash away sins of a lifetime and 108 such parikramas will help in achieving Nirvana or Moksha i.e., salvation(no rebirth).

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra - A spiritual experience!

noreply@blogger.com (kailash Mansarovar Yatra) — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 10:53:00 +0000

Blessed are those who get the opportunity to traverse through a spiritual and divine experience while embarking on the journey of their lifetime- ‘The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra’. The journey to Kailash Mansarovar has been a life-changing experience for millions of pilgrims across the globe. Every year thousands of pilgrims experience of being in the most divine and spiritual spots in the world revered by people from different religions of the world. Since time immemorial, many pilgrims have been visiting this spiritual destination of Mount Kailash and the holy emerald lake, Lake Mansarovar.
Raghukul Holidays, one of the best tour organizers in Pune, have been helping many individuals to seek the blessings of the divine. Through this Yatra many individuals have the opportunity of feeling oneness with the divine and also a sense of self-realization. The journey to this isolated, beautiful and fascinating spiritual spot completely helps to transcend one’s soul and provide the most blissful and soulful experience of their lifetime.

Mount Kailash a magnificent and majestic mountain is located in the Southwestern corner of Tibet. This 21,779 feet tall beautiful mountain, is a part of the Himalayan mountain ranges and is the source of four mighty and sacred rivers of Asia- Ganges, Indus, Brahmaputra and Sutlej. This mystical and magical spot has been drawing people from different religions due to its divinity. The Hindus consider it to be the abode of Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati and the true manifestation of heaven. For the Buddhists this sacred mountain, the home of the Buddha Demchok, symbolizes supreme harmony. The Jains refer to the mountain as Ashtapad and it is here that the creator of their faith, Rishabhadeva attained enlightenment. The Bons consider it to be the spiritual seat of power. The 3 day Kailash sacred walks or the parikrama starts from the Yam Dwar where one experiences immortality. After completion of circumambulation of the mountain the soul gets cleansed and is liberated from your sins.

The eternal jade blue Manasarovar Lake created by Lord Brahma lies 20 kilometers away from Mount Kailash and is considered to be the epitome of purity. This sacred lake considered by Buddhists to be the place where Queen Maya conceived Lord Buddha, is believed to have healing properties and has the power to wash away one’s sins of a lifetime. An individual can experience a sudden surge of energy within themselves, the reason for which is unknown. During Brahma Muhurta (between 3 and 5 am) it is believed that the Gods descend to bathe in the lake. One gets transformed into a state of tranquility, peace and bliss while meditating in the surreal and peaceful surroundings of this beautiful pristine lake.

The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, a sojourn to this roof of the world is truly an intense spiritual experience. Every single yatri despite the arduous and trying journey undergo an enlightening transformation which is beyond words. This rewarding experience cannot be described but needs to be felt.
This mystical and magical spot has been drawing people from across the world. Come be a part of this beautiful and enlightening journey with Raghukul Holidays. We have a team of highly skilled, dedicated and trained volunteers who will help you to take upon this memorable journey with ease and comfort. All our fellow travelers who have embarked on this spiritual journey have returned from this trip with a positive transformation. Get a chance to have a peek into your own self through this wondrous and incredible experience.

Interesting Places to visit at Kailash Mansarovar Yatra

noreply@blogger.com (kailash Mansarovar Yatra) — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 09:47:00 +0000

Important and Interesting Places to visit at Kailash Manasarovar Yatra

Kailash Manasarovar Yatra is truly a divine, ultimate and ethereal experience for the blessed pilgrims!

Every year thousands of pilgrims make a pilgrimage embark on the most divine and enthralling experience of their life time- the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra. For centuries, several people have been following this tradition of visiting the holy place. It is a common belief among several religions that circumambulating Mount Kailash on foot is a holy ritual which will wash away the sins of a life time and will also bring good fortune. The circumambulation by Hindus and Buddhists is done in a clockwise direction while the followers of the Bon and Jain religions circumambulate the Kailash Mountain in an anti-clockwise direction.

According to the religious belief, the year of horse is considered to be the most sacred and right time to make the Mt.Kailash Manasarovar pilgrimage. This holy site is believed to have been initially opened in the year of horse (happens once in every twelve years) for pilgrims. 2014 is also the year of the horse and many pilgrims are expected to visit this holy place.

Mount Kailash

Mount Kailash is a peak situated on the Gangdise Mountains which is a part of the Himalayas in Tibet. The mountain is located near the source of some of the largest rivers in Asia which include the Indus, Sutlej which is a prime tributary of the Indus, Brahmaputra and the Karnali River (which is a tributary of the Ganges River). The mountain is nestled between the two lakes Lake Rakshas Tal and Lake Mansarovar in Tibet. Mount Kailash is considered to be the most venerated revered as a sacred mountain by a number of faiths and cults like Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Bon. The Hindus consider it as the abode of Lord Shiva, because its unusual contours of black granite looks like a Shivalinga. It is also considered as the ultimate destination of the holy centre and the souls of the world. The Tibetan Buddhists consider Mount Kailash to be the abode of the Buddha Demchok who is the symbol of supreme harmony. According to Jainism it is the place where the creator of their religion Rishabhadeva attained salvation. The Bons consider it as the abode of the sky goddess Sipaimen.

According to the Puranas the four faces of the mountain are believed to be made of precious stones: crystal, gold, ruby and lapis lazuli.

Many monk, yogis, monks and pilgrims from across the globe have undergone severe hardships to reach this abode of gods. In Hinduism a pilgrimage to Kailash is considered as the ultimate Yatra and the road to heaven. Climbing up the Mount Kailash is not allowed. Milarepa, a Tibetan Buddhist yogi who belonged to 11th century is the only person to have ever scaled the sacred mountain.

Kailash Parikrama

The most difficult part of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is the Kailash. The pilgrims show reverence to the mountain by circumambulating it as it is believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati.

The path around Mount Kailash is 52 km or 32 miles long and the walk (circumambulation) around the mountain is known Kora or Parikrama. It takes normally three days and includes difficult tasks which include scaling trails that are steep, trekking rough terrain, cross beautiful streams, to jump from one boulder to another boulder and traversing a pass situated at an altitude of 19,200 feet. The Parikrama might take more days depending on the tempo of the pilgrim’s movement. It is believed that he who completes 108 such Parikramas is assured enlightenment.

Yam Dwar

The Yam Dwar which means the “gateway of the God of Death Yama” is situated in Tarboche which is approximately 30 minutes drive from Darchen. It is also known as Shorten Kang Nye meaning two legged Stupa in Tibet and marks the initial point of circumambulation of Mount Kailash.

Ashtapad

Ashtapad in Sanskrit means Eight steps where Ashta means ‘Eight’ and Pada means ‘Steps’. It is situated at the bottom of Mount Kailash at a height of 17000 ft. The Ashtapad is considered as a holy place by the Hindus and Buddhists. It is equally revered by the Jains as it is the place where “Shri Adinath Bhagwan” the first of the 24 Jain Tirthankara had attained Nirvana or salvation at this place.

Lake Mansarovar

The sacred lake of Mansarovar or Mapham Yutso( Tibetan name) creates an enchanting and beautiful backdrop to Mount Kailash with its crystal clear blue water near the shores and a deep emerald green colour at the center. It spans an area of 350 sq km and is situated at an altitude of 4556 meters. This beautiful lake of the Gods is considered to be the highest fresh water lake in the world and the lake is 300 feet deep. In the northern side of the Lake Mansarovar lies Mount Kailash and in the southern side lies the mountain Gurla Mandhata. The Rakshas Tal lies in the western side of the lake. According to Hinduism this beautiful lake got its name Mansarovar (Manas-mind, Sarovar-Lake) as it is believed to have originated in the mind of Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe. It is also believed to be haven of the celestial swan or Hamsa considered wise and sacred. The lake has a great significance for the Buddhists as they consider it to be the place where Queen Maya conceived Lord Buddha. It is also believed that Lord Buddha meditated near this lake. There are many monasteries situated near the lake. The most prominent is the Chiu Gompa Monastery. Pilgrims come to take ceremonial bath in the lake. The devotees believe that those who take a holy dip in this lake will be purified from all sins committed over even a hundred lifetimes.

Gauri Kund

Gauri Kund also known as the Lake of Compassion is another major place to visit at Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. This holy place is associated with a number of legendary tales and mythological stories. In the steep descent of the Dolma Pass lies this wonderful lake at an altitude of 5608 meters. In Shiva Puran, Gauri Kund is popularly known as Parvati Sarovar as it is the place where Goddess Parvati gave birth to her son Ganesha. One day Parvati was taking bath in the Kund and had asked Ganesha to guard the entrance and not let anyone inside. But, when Shiva came to the place to meet Parvati, Ganesha stopped him at the door as per his mother’s instructions. Lord Shiva angered by this severed Ganesha’s head. Parvati was heartbroken and insisted that Ganesha be brought back to existence. Lord Shiva sent his army and found the head of an elephant which was then placed on the severed portion. Thus, Ganesha was revived and Goddess Parvati got back her beloved son. The reflection of the Chhota Kailash peak falls on the surface of this lake.

Rakshas Tal

Near the west of Lake Mansarovar and Mount Kailash lies the Lake Rakshas Tal and is connected with Lake Mansarovar by Ganga Chhu a natural channel. The total area of the lake is 70 sq km and it is located at an altitude of 4,752 meters. From the north-western tip of the lake originates the River Sutlej. Rakshas Tal or the ‘lake of the rakshasa’ is also believed to be the abode of the ten-headed demon king of Lanka, Ravana. Lake Mansarovar is round in shape and in Buddhism it is considered as the symbol of brightness while the crescent shaped Lake Rakshas Tal is associated with darkness. In sharp contrast to the fresh water Lake Mansarovar, the water of Lake Rakshas Tal is salty. It is strictly not allowed to take a dip or drink the water of Lake Rakshas Tal as it does not nurture any fish or aquatic plants and is considered as toxic by the local Tibetan dwellers. It includes four islands namely: Dosharba, the Dola, Lachato and Topserma or Dose. The local inhabitants visit the island only during the winter season and mainly use it as winter pastures for yaks.

How long is Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2014??

noreply@blogger.com (kailash Mansarovar Yatra) — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 12:00:00 +0000

Mt. Kailash

Kailash Manasarovar Yatra for the devotees of divine Lord Shiva :

Shiva, An Omniscient Yogi, a divine being worshipped and followed by millions and millions of devotees across globe. Mount Kailash is his abode and is worshipped usually in the aniconic form of Lingam. He is worshipped as Mahadeva, Pashupathinath, Budhaneelkantha, Swayambhunath and with various names. Visiting Mount Kailash for Lord Shiva’s Darshan is believed to be one of the most sacred pilgrimage’s of all. Also, It is considered as a sacred place in four religions: Bön, Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism. The mountain lies near Lake Manasarovar and Lake Rakshastal in Tibet.

In Tibet and China the Buddhist believes ‘Horse’ as a pivotal part and is considered as a symbol of well – being and good fortune. The ‘Horse year’, which comes once in 12 years is considered to be an auspicious one. Though kailash manasarovar tour takes place every year, according to their religious belief, most sacred and worthy time to make the Mount Kailash pilgrimage is in the ‘Year of Horse’. And 2014 is a horse year, which occurs once in twelve years. Thus, Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2014 is a finest time for a pilgrimage. Along with Mt. Kailash, Lake Manasarovar is a pilgrimage site too. Mt. Kailash and Lake Mansarovar are famous as Sacred Mountain and Holy Lake.

Aspiring for Mount Kailash Yatra?

If you are aspiring for a pilgrimage of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, ‘Raghukul Holidays’ one of the finest travel agencies can facilitate you for this tour. Raghukul Holidays organizes 12 nights and 13 days of the fascinating and holy Kailash Manasarovar Yatra. They also have tailored packages, keeping customer’s requirements in view.

Though Kailash Manasarovar tour brings a feel of positivity in you and make you blissful, there are some difficulties you might face during the trip and some preparatory measures to be taken before starting. High altitudes and rough weather condition are the main thing which gets on your nerves. Yet with good facilities, preparedness and well managed things by the mentors of Raghukul Holidays, the Yatra becomes hassle free.

12 Nights and 13 Days of Kailash Manasarovar Yatra:

Raghukul Holidays established in 2009, with a vision to facilitate the devotees of Lord Shiva are the organizers for 12 nights and 13 days of the Kailash Manasarovar tour. Below are the points mentioned in brief to give you an idea of travel plan.

Day 1: Arrival at Kathmandu International Airport.

Day 2: Early morning Mountain Flight (Optional - Chargeable). Half day sightseeing – Pashupatinath Temple, Budhaneelkantha, Swayambhunath, etc. followed by shopping / leisure.

Day 3: Early morning drive towards Kodari. Immigration formalities in Nepal and proceed to Nyalam along with scenic sightseeing.

Day 4: Warming up your body for Parikrama. Acclimatization and a short hiking in Nyalam.

Day 5: A drive from Nyalam to New Dongpa. Ganesh Parvat Darshan, crossing the river Brahmaputra.

Day 6: Early morning breakfast and drive to Lake Mansarovar. An astonishing moment of the first glimpse of Mount Kailash with the view of sacred Lake Mansarovar.

Day 7: Puja and bath in Lake Manasarovar. Proceed from Lake Mansarovar to Darchen.

Day 8: Morning, Drive To Yama Dwar then Start Parikrama of Mount Kailash. Ashtapad and Tirthpuri the special attractions for the tourists (Optional).

Day 9: Continue Parikrama To Zutulphuk Via Gauri Kunda. The longest day of Parikrama.

Day 10: End Parikrama Near Darchen And Drive Back To Lake Mansarovar

Day 11: Return Journey to Nyalam

Day 12: Return to Kathmandu

Day 13: Transfer to the Airport and a safe drive back home.

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2014 Q&A with Mr. Amit Kulkarni

noreply@blogger.com (kailash Mansarovar Yatra) — Wed, 09 Apr 2014 12:50:00 +0000

Amit Kulkarni

Raghukul Holidays:

An ideal travel agency Raghukul Holidays, started its journey in 2009. We are involved in organizing the sacred kailash mansarovar yatra and many tours to various places. The religious followers from all over India and across the globe visit Kailash Mansarovar every year. This Yatra is considered to be the most sacred pilgrimages and can be one’s life’s blissful experience. We are identified and recommended by ‘trip advisor.com’. We are also a part of Kailash Mansarovar Travel Agents Association.

Mr.Amit Kulkarni:

Mr. Amil Kulkarni, an enthusiastic person is the founder of Raghukul Holidays. He is a veteran in this field. Though Kailash yatra is one of the most difficult yet fascinating pilgrimage tours in the world, Amit Kulkarni with his group is able to ensure you the safe, stress free and enjoyable journey.

Q & A’s:

Why prefer Raghukul Holidays for booking?

We understand your love and devotion towards Lord Shiva,hence we strive to make your kailash mansarovar tour more special, more memorable, more secure, and more affordable than you might have ever thought of. Our vision is to facilitate the devotees of Lord Shiva, thus provide facilities needed for a tension free journey.

We offer tailor-made packages to cater your needs

We provide our host of services, who book tickets, arrange accommodation, sightseeing, support for visa / passport applications, currency exchange and provide travel insurance.

We also provide Translators during your tour to ensure that you do not miss even a bit of the fun,and feel at home.

We also provide you basic equipments needed during journey and oxygen cylinders in need

What are the precautions you take up in rough weather conditions?

Weather in Kailash Mansarovar changes suddenly and weather conditions often remains extreme. We take an extra care to avoid any bad consequences and we provide various facilities like:

Oxygen Cylinder with Masks in every vehicle

Warm and Cold cloths like jackets, T-shirts, towels, thermals, ankle high walking boots etc. on rent basis

Readiness of first aid kit, antibiotics and so on.

How Raghukul travel group makes the journey enjoyable?

Our company is well aware about what adventure lovers like on their tour. We have an enthusiastic team of trained professionals to take you through the challenging limits of Rafting, Skiing, Safari, Trekking, Bungee Jumping and etc.
We have joint ventures with leading establishments in Nepal to make sure that you bag the best out of the opportunity of touring the holy place.

Tips you would advice to visitors

Visiting this holy place brings the positivity in you. For sure the journey is filled with adventures. Yet you might face the rough weather conditions, high altitude location, breathing issues and so on. It is advisable to follow the mentioned tips here for a trouble free sacred trip.

It is advisable to consult a doctor and get a fitness, medical certificate before starting with the pilgrimage.

Basic antibiotics can be carried during Kailash Mansarovar Tour based on doctors prescription.

Trekking in Kailash Parvat needs a lot of strength. Hence, we advise you to start 30 minutes walk, jogging daily, stretching and regular exercise, etc. that will keep you nimble.

Right Clothing. Weather changes suddenly in Kailash Parvat you need the right clothing for extreme cold as well as too sunny temperature.

A little basic knowledge on currency of China and Tibet.

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About Raghukul Holidays...Finest Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Tour Operator !!!

noreply@blogger.com (kailash Mansarovar Yatra) — Sat, 05 Apr 2014 12:25:00 +0000

Amit Kulkarni - Founder, Raghukul Holidays

Mahadev. The God to Gods.

He calls and the devout just go, come hell or high water. Period.

His abode. Mount Kailash, perched at an incredible 6638 meters above sea level on the southern tip of the Tibetan plateau.

Situation on the ground? Inhospitable for most to say the least.

But still they go…undeterred, happy and hopeful.

In its quest to provide service to these hopefuls, Raghukul Holidays of Pune has all but cancelled its own holidays! Jest apart, we are dead serious in this venture which shows in the numbers of hopefuls and faithfuls who have made this arduous journey through us.

Starting life in the year 2009, we have established ourselves as the undisputed leader in kailash mansarovar yatra tour organization.

The tour consists of 13 days. The trip is a mix of walking and being driven around in weather & terrain proof vehicles. Commencement to conclusion, and all points enroute, the emphasis is to give you the best in every way, be it the best of accommodation, food, guides….at a reasonable price. This is by no means a walk-in-the-park-next-door scenario despite which, given our experience, we have put in place every means to secure your well being with the expectation that our participants understand themselves, their capabilities and act accordingly.

Aside from being a fairly tough trek, it takes you to a place variously termed ‘the roof of the world” because of its height and a “cold desert” in parts. You experience extreme climatic conditions, thin air, complete desolation…..and the presence of Rudra!

A life-time experience where you admire the scenery, the surroundings and bounties of nature, you also experience first-hand the sheer grit and dedication of those who came eons back with the bare minimum of resources just to take a glimpse of the God’s abode!

Given our kind of experience, we can go on endlessly about the place and our capabilities. But they say “the proof of the pudding is in its eating”. Need further prompting? Well, do glance through testimonials where participants from the past sojourn have mentioned their experiences. It should convince you enough to undertake this journey and that too through us, Raghukul Holidays!

Set your heart to visit God’s abode with our assurance that everything else shall be taken care of. After all, god willing, your wish will always be our command.

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Please feel free to post your comments below.

About Author :- Amit Kulkarni is the founder of Raghukul Holidays.

Janakpurdham...The land of Sita Mata.

noreply@blogger.com (kailash Mansarovar Yatra) — Fri, 28 Feb 2014 05:43:00 +0000

Janki Mandir

Jai Siya Ram!

If you really mean it, its time to visit Siya Mata’s town.

Welcome to Janakpurdham, Nepal.

Situated in the contiguous terai region of Nepal, it is just 20 kms from the borders of India with Jaynagar being on the Indian side. Part of the Dhanusa District with a population of 8 lakhs, the majority here are the madhesis whose origin can be traced to the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The predominant language is these parts is Maithili, an officially recognized language even in India!

Most ancient texts mention it as Mithila. Janakpur it was called after the King Janaka, father of Janaki ie., Sita Mata. Most people think this was the place where Sita was born which may not be correct as King Janaka was not Sita Mata’s biological father. She was apparently found in a furrow in a field by a farmer who brought the infant Sita to Janaka’s court. The King, magnanimous that he was, brought up this abandoned little soul like his own daughter. The rest, as we all are aware, is a mix of mythology and history.

Talking about history, the place finds reference from the Rig Veda to the Ramayana. Besides Hindus, this town may be of interest to Buddhists and Jains as well since it is mentioned that Gautama Buddha and and Vardamana Mahavira, the 24th and final Tirthankara has lived here.

With so much religion and mythology, it is but natural that visitors to this small town have gone on record saying that there is this unmistakable deep, deep sense of devotion in the air which is unlike most other places.

Religious and mythological significance means a perennial flow of the faithful making it an important contributor to the region’s development with Janakpurdham having its own airport and railway station, the latter being the only one in Nepal!

As tourists with a leaning towards religion and history, the places mentioned below may be immensely interesting to you. Despite its lineage and profound history, it seem a place frequented mostly by the devout. Tour operators in Pune despite being in numbers, prefer to offer packages to more exotic places round the globe. It is then left to operators like Raghukul Holidays of Pune to cater to their clients’ requirements, which we understand they do with utmost care and caution, given their experience and sense of purpose.

Janki Mandir

It is quite obvious that the most important place in Janakpur shall be a temple dedicated to Sita Mata. And given her status in Hindu Mythology, equally obvious is that it WILL be GRAND. GRANDEUR with ELEGANCE is what comes across at first sight. And what surprises most is that it is built in a Mughal style of those days ie 1912. A two-storied structure with its white marble arches, domes, turrets and screens, it is a profusion of marble.

You find women in plenty here draped in their best. Evenings are the most electric as the place gets lit up and people arrive in droves.

Ram Mandir

The second most obvious place would be a Ram Mandir which is close by. It is the oldest of temples here having been built in 1882. The architecture is in the classic oriental pagoda style. Nearby this temple is the Dhanush Sagar, a ritual bathing tank, the largest in Janakpur.

Ram Bibah Mandir

A third rather obvious place and part of the Janaki Mandir, is this place where apparently Ram and Sita got married. It has life-sized statuses of Ram and Sita, decorated and kept in rather modern style.

Ponds and tanks

Janakpur has a profusion on small ponds, +100 at last count, each with a story of its own. The more famous ones are the Dhanush Sagar, Bihar Kunda and Ratan Saga Kunda related to Rama. Parashuram kunda is one where Maharishi Parshuram bathed to quell his anger after his confrontation with Ram over the breaking of the sacred bow of Shiva.

Jaleshwar

Nearing the Indian border is Jaleshwar, a temple dedicated to Shiva, it is famous for the lingam being immersed in a pond situated 20 feet below ground level. In addition, there are two large ponds on either side of the temple.

Dhanushdham

A place of some archaeological importance, it is 18 km towards the north-east of Janakpurdham. Apparently the broken remains of the divine Shiva bow fell after Ram broke it to obtain Sita's hand in marriage. Fossilized fragment of the broken piece is said to be present to this day. Every Sunday in the month of Magh (January/ February), a Makar Mela (fair) is held here- an unbroken tradition since Vedic times.

Coming back to modern times, Janakpur also has a Women’s Development Centre situated in the village of Kuwah where local women have come together to produce paper paintings, papier-mâché boxes and mirrors, screen-printed fabrics and hand-thrown ceramics. You can buy beautiful, richly coloured artifacts at reasonable prices from these artisans.

You may also visit villages at the fringes of Janakpur where time still seems to have stood still with life in every sense continues in the same languid pace it did centuries back. The houses even sport old Maithili style wall-frescos which is sure to take you back in time!

Phew, this is some list then. But thankfully Janakpur is small by most Indian standards and means of transport plenty. Same goes for accommodation and food.

If reading this, you make up your mind, wish you all the best. May the Goddess light your path!

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Please feel free to post your comments below.

About Author :- Amit Kulkarni is the founder of Raghukul Holidays.

Panache of Pokhara !!!

noreply@blogger.com (kailash Mansarovar Yatra) — Thu, 27 Feb 2014 10:20:00 +0000

Pokhara Valley

Kathmandu equates Nepal. Quite a few times, inadvertently one gets interchanged with the other.

Ever heard of Pokhara?

No?

Well, in which case it is time to update you on this beautiful place 200 kilometers from Kathmandu to its west which till the 60s did not even have an approach road and the only way was on foot!!

Smaller than Kathmandu in size, it more than makes up with some splendid ambiance and sceneries all around minus the traditional trappings of a metropolis. Look up from any part of this tiny province and the only thing you see are the snow-capped mountains against a clear blue sky.

Talking of blue skies, when was the last time you looked-up and saw this wonder? Pune has grown commercially which shows in its smog-filled skyline. With schools and colleges nearing their summer holidays and winters saying good-bye, isn’t it time to look for a quite place in a quiet corner where the only thing you see is serenity, the only thing you feel is the cool breeze from the mountains and the only thing you hear are the birds and bees (and very occasional humans!)? Fly-by-night tour operators with limited experience can at best take you some distance from Pune. If you want the real fun, go to the seasoned ones like Raghukul Holidays where you can afford to be carelessly enjoy such places.

Coming back to our original topic, what does Pokhara have? If natural surroundings interests you, plenty! And all this due to two features, the mountains and a river! Well ….read on…..

Beautiful Pokhara

Pokhara is just 30 kms from the base of three mighty mountains, Dhaulagiri, Annapurna I and Manaslu which appear in one line like a fish’e tail (also called Machhapuchhre by the locals). If you are the regular walking and trekking kinds, this can be your starting point for quite a few worthy treks. The approach to Pokhara itself is quite a challenge! Within 30 km, the elevation rises from 1,000 m to over 7,500 m! Beat that!?!

It is situated in the valley of the Seti Gandaki river. Gandaki as you might know, is the river which gives us the “shaligram”. A peculiar feature of this river is that it is not wide like normal rivers in the plain but cuts deep gorges into the earth in and around Pokhara with one point being as low as 20 meters!

Due to the soft subsoil, caves under the earth are another interesting feature with notable ones being the Gupteshor Gupha and the Mahendra Gupha which are natural dwellings for bats and are filled with stalagmites. The first one is approx 3 kms long! The second one is of lime stone. Quite a few of these caves are well hidden behind foliage or other features like in the case of the Davi’s fall, where a man enjoying a dip in the waterfall was sucked into one of the caves underground and found his way 50 meters ahead!

Due to Pokhara’s unique positioning, it gets the highest rainfall in Nepal all of which aid in creating water bodies at regular intervals like Phewa, Begnas and Rupa lakes. These are not very large by most standards but offer immense serenity and natural beauty. You can indulge in boating, fishing etc., etc. for which equipments are available at very nominal charges at the lake sides. The view of the mountains is simply breath-taking!

Barahi Temple: Almost in the middle of Phewa lake, the two storied pagoda is dedicated to the boar manifestation of Ajima, who represents the female force "Shakti". Animal sacrifice being the norm in Nepal, Saturdays see devotees carrying male animals and fowl to be sacrificed to the deity.

Museums: For its size, Pokhara surprises you with two museums being

o The Pokhara Museum which deals with the ethnicity of western Nepal featuring groups such asthe Gurungs, Thakalis and the Tharus, and

o The Annapurna Museum, managed by the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) which displays a collection of the local birds, models of wildlife as well as samples of various precious and semi-precious stones and volcanic rocks.

Pokhara helps you unwind you so much, it takes a looong time to wind yourself back.

Need we say more?

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Please feel free to post your comments below.

About Author :- Amit Kulkarni is the founder of Raghukul Holidays.

What do you do in Kathmandu? Pray to the spirits and enjoy !!!

noreply@blogger.com (kailash Mansarovar Yatra) — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 05:50:00 +0000

Durbar Square

The first thought conjuring in your mind for the word “Nepal”?

For most people, it would include nice weather, simple people, temples, temples and more temples. For the not-so-religious, happy-go-lucky, there are always the casinos and bars!!!!

On a serious note, this is one place which has more temples than most places put together. Given below is a brief of some of these. You must remember that Nepal too was an important contributor to Buddhism. This is brought out by the fact that some of the most important religious places here are Buddhist.

Durbar Square

This is the heart of Kathmandu around which are the Royal Palace, pagodas, courtyards, and temples including the one dedicated to Kumari, the Living Goddess. Seeing it today, it would be difficult to imagine the scale of destruction caused by the earthquake of 1934 when the entire area was turned into piles of rubble and had to be built afresh.

Durban Square further consists of 3 squares, namely the Kasthamandap, a shrine entirely in wood and that too from a single saal tree! It is dedicated to Gorakhnath. The other two are the Ashok Binayak temple, also known as the Maru Ganesh and Maru Tole.

The Kumari Temple

A temple dedicated to the living Goddess, a supposed living reincarnation of Parvati. The lineage of most girls can be traced to the Newar Sakya clan of gold and silversmiths and are initiated into the role at the age of 4 or 5.

Seen only during religious festivities, she is carried through the streets in a palanquin and walks on the cloth, as her feet must not touch the ground. The 18th century temple is built in the style of Buddhist monasteries which feature stucco facade with a number of intricately carved windows. The lintels are carved with laughing skulls while deities, doves and peacocks decorate the balcony windows.

Swayambhunath

Built 2000 years ago, it became an important centre for Buddhist and was closely associated with Lhasa before being ransacked by the troops of the Bengal Sultan in the 14 century AD. Rebuilt by Pratap Malla in the 17th century at the same spot, it has remained ever since. It measures 20 m in diameter and 10 m in height and is on a hillock which can be reached by climbing 400 steps. The all-pervasive “Eyes of the Buddha” adorn it with a third eye representing wisdom. The stupa is surrounded by prayer wheels turned by the faithful while walking clockwise.

Bodhnath

Built by the Lichchavi King, Mana Dev in the fifth century AD, it is situated 8 kms north-east of Kathmandu and is Nepal’s largest stupa rising to 36 meters from its base.

Once the ancient trade route between Kathmandu and Lhasa, it is believed that this stupa contains the bones of Kashyapa Buddha who preceded Gautama Buddha. The hemispherical dome is painted with the all-seeing eyes of the Lord. The base of the stupa consists of hundreds of prayer which apparently transit messages to the heavens every time they are turned. Near the Stupa is a Buddhist monastery where one can see Tibetan monks hard at study.

Budhanilkantha Temple

Situated 10 kms north of Kathmandu, the main attraction of the temple is the world’s largest statue of the Vishnu reclining on a bed of snakes in a pond. The creator’s identity is not known though it is said to belong to the 8 century AD.

According to legends, it was accidentally unearthed by a farmer and that the Lord apparently sleeps for four months of the year and the festival of Budhanilkantha is celebrated in the month of November when he wakes up.

Pashupatinath Temple

Situated very near the Kathmandu Intl Airport, it is one of Nepal’s most famous shrines. Dedicated to Lord Shiva in his mild form literally meaning the Lord of the beings, the temple is situated on the banks of the Bhagmati River. Build in the classical pagoda style of the 17th century it has brass and gilt plated gateways with ornate carvings all over. A black, four-headed image of Pashupatinath is inside the temple. Foreigners and non-Hindus are not allowed inside the shrine.

Dakshinkali Temple

Dedicated to Goddess Kali, the temple is about half an hour’s drive from Kathmandu. Locals whose wishes come true traditionally sacrifice a goat to appease the deity.

Changu Narayan Temple

Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, it is one of the finest and oldest specimens of pagoda architecture with the form of Garuda, Lord Vishnu’s mythical mount standing at the entrance with his palms folded.

If you had enough of spirituality, do visit these places to unwind.

Nagarkot

Situated to the north-east of Kathmandu, it offers a spectacular view which stretches from Dhaulagiri in the west to Kanchanjunga in the east. Dawn brings with it some spectacular sights. So stay the night and enjoy the view next morning.

Daman

Quite similar to Nagarkot, the 8,000 feet pass of Simbhanjyang or Daman is situated along the road leading to the Indian border at 120 km from Kathmandu. Though at a lower altitude, some believe this is the best place to view the Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and Everest peaks on a clear day. There is also a viewing tower fitted with long-range binoculars.

Dhulikhel

Yet another place to view the mountains, situated just outside Kathmandu Valley, it is at an altitude of 1500 metres and offers a breathtaking view of the Cho Oyu to in the east to the Himalchuli in the west. Being the district headquarters, it can be reached very easily from Kathmandu.

Tour operators in Pune are always at arms length to take you to these places in Kathmandu. Not all though may be as capable as the real ones like Raghukul Holidays who seem to have made it their life’s mission to take you to the hills. Go to them and see your dream holiday come alive!

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Please feel free to post your comments below.

About Author :- Amit Kulkarni is the founder of Raghukul Holidays.

From Concrete Jungle to the real jungle. Being chanchal at Chitwan!

noreply@blogger.com (kailash Mansarovar Yatra) — Mon, 24 Feb 2014 06:14:00 +0000

Chitwan National Park

An ideal get-away from the blistering Indian Summer is heading north into the erstwhile Kingdom of Nepal today “The Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal”.

Geographically land-locked with India bordering on the east, west and south and the TAR region of China on its north, it is predominantly mountainous with 8 of the world’s 10 tallest peaks including the the Mount Everest being here.

The south and east called the Terai form the foothills to the mountainous north and are relatively flat with rivers making it fertile for agricultural production. In this flood plain was established in 1973 the Chitwan National Park, later designated a World Heritage site. It now covers an area of 932 km2 (360 sq mi).

Adjacent to the east is the Parsa Wildlife Reserve and in the south is the Indian Tiger Reserve called Valmiki National Park. The total protected area under the Tiger Conservation Unit (TCU) of Chitwan-Parsa-Valmiki, covers a 3,549 km2 (1,370 sq mi) block of alluvial earth.

Chitwan has a tropical monsoon climate with high humidity all through the year with rains starting in mid June and easing off in late September. The typical vegetation consists predominantly of Sal trees. Rosewood is also to be seen here.

It is home for close to 700 species of wildlife and a not yet fully surveyed number of butterfly, moth and insect species. Apart from King Cobra and Rock python, 17 other species of snakes, starred tortoise and monitor lizards are seen here. Also seen in the rivers & lakes close-by are 113 recorded species of fish and mugger crocodiles. If you are lucky enough, you may catch site of a gharials in the Narayani River.

Also occupying pride of place are 43 species of mammals of whom the Bengal Tiger is the “King”. The habitat is one of the best in the world for tigers. Their population has seen ups and downs thanks to poaching. Leopards are also most prevalent at the peripheries. Indian Rhinoceros, Elephants and wild buffaloes called Gaurs and wild boards also occupy this region.

How do you get to this place?

For most Indians the best approach to Nepal is by road through 2-3 land borders at Birgunj-Raxaul, Kakarbhitta-Naxal Bari, Sonauli-Siddharthanagar (Bhairawa) and Nepal gunj-Rupaidiha.

You may alternatively go by air from Mumbai to Kathmandu and catch an overnight bus to Chitwan.

As regards Chitwan National Park, the best way about is to get to Gorakhpur town, take a bus/ taxi/ jeep to Sunauli border town, clear all customs formalities and cross over to Siddharthanagar also called locally as Bhairawa. From Bhairawa one travels further 160 kms to Sauraha, a town adjacent to the Chitwan National Park and serves as an accommodation hub for travelers. It has decent places to stay, eat and rest. Well, if you attach yourselves with seasoned tour operators in Pune who additionally are holiday makers like Raghukul Holidays, you leave Pune blindfold and open your eyes only in Chitwan National Park. The rest being mundane matters is taken care of by their experienced and courteous staff.

At Chitwan, tourists can indulge in the following activities:

- The elephant back ride. A great way to visit a thick forest as the elephant moves around with ease and you to go really closer to the animals with them not feeling disturbed in any way.

- The jeep safari. A 4-5 hours drive through pre- defined paths through the jungle. It is not as interesting as the former due to the presence of tall elephant grass which are best negotiated by, elephants.

- Visit the crocodile breeding centre: Chitwan in its heyday had one of the best croc population including the famed “gharials” but rampant poaching has brought down their numbers drastically. Since they don’t breed too well in captivity, the best way was to have a place with the feel of the wild.

- In 2008, a Vulture breeding centre was set-up to breed each of the two Gyps vultures species now critically endangered in Nepal.

- Elephant breeding centre: A world exclusive with recorded instances of twins which is extremely rare. The elephants here are not for show but are put to good use for visitors to go around as also the security to hunt down poachers. And what are they fed on?? Elephantine momos!! Yes rice chunks wrapped in grass and leaves. They even practice for the annual elephant football match and elephant races which are done for tourists.

- Boating on the river in dug-out canoes. A good way to see the marine life of the river which may include the customary fish and toads and all. The surprise package are the gharials and crocodiles! And the once-in-a-while encounter with larger animals who come near the river shore to drink water

- A jungle walk which, if you are lucky may end-up with your seeing a tiger or a leapord or any other wild animal at very close quarters.

Raring to go? And why not? Tour operators in Pune are waiting to fulfill your wish! Before the kinds and wife get after you, get after parties like Raghukul to take you to a kool place!

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Please feel free to post your comments below.

About Author :- Amit Kulkarni is the founder of Raghukul Holidays.

Our Testimonials By Satisfied Pilgrims !!!

noreply@blogger.com (kailash Mansarovar Yatra) — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 12:46:00 +0000

Founder Of Raghukul Holidays - Amit Kulkarni

Read along what a few of our customers have to say about us and our services :-

The Kailash Manasarovar Yatra is the most memorable trip of my lifetime. The Parikrama of the Kailash Parvat though difficult was truly a heavenly experience for me. The services rendered by Raghukul Holidays made it possible for me to undertake the yatra without any problem.

The Mount Kailash yatra is indeed a journey of a lifetime. The visit to the abode of the Gods and getting immersed in the heavenly surroundings is a divine blessing. I thoroughly enjoyed each moment of the trip. The credit for this goes to the wonderful staff of Raghukul Holidays.

My Kailash Manasarovar Yatra with Raghukul Holidays has been the most pleasurable and divine experience. Despite the severity of the weather conditions, the team leader lifted up our spirits and kept us moving on with his humour and enthusiasm.

My trip to Kailash Manasarovar has been an enjoyable experience for me and my wife. I express my gratitude to Raghukul holidays for organizing a wonderful trip.

It has indeed been an enthralling and unforgettable tour. The experience of having the holy dip in the Lake Manasarovar and the Mount Kailash yatra is beyond words. I thank Raghukul holidays for making this journey a rewarding one.

It was a great experience to visit the place of mysticism and mystery- Kailash Manasarovar. The service rendered by the staff of Raghukul holidays and the Sherpas make us to look forward to more such wonderful and adventurous trips. I wish people visit this heavenly place of Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar through Raghukul holidays.

I am really fortunate to have taken the trip to Kailash Manasarovar. The entire place is so ethereal and I felt blessed to get submerged in its tranquillity. Raghukul Holidays gave equal importance to all the yatris and they are doing a great job by organizing such wonderful tours.

When I embarked in the journey of my life time I thought it would be a daunting task with the unfriendly weather conditions and the difficult terrain, my experience of the tip was exactly the opposite. My sincere thanks to Raghukul Holidays for enabling me to complete this journey with ease and comfort.

I lost myself in the mystical surrounding of the Kailash Manasarovar. I was in a state of elation while taking a dip in the holy Lake Manasarovar. I recommend people to take this trip with Raghukul holidays as it is completely worthwhile.

I am blessed to be ordained to take up the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra and thank Raghukul holidays to make every bit of my journey absolutely great. Parikrama of the abode of the Gods is a divine experience.

I am fortunate to have taken the opportunity of visiting a great place of reverence. Raghukul holidays made it an exciting spiritual experience.

I can list many features of the trip which are very memorable. The comfortable accommodations and fun filled journey combined with the professionalism of the staff of Raghukul holidays is greatly appreciated. I will definitely return to take another journey soon with them.

We hope that in future you will give us the opportunity to serve you in your pilgrimage.

History and Significance of Amarnath yatra !!!

noreply@blogger.com (kailash Mansarovar Yatra) — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 06:12:00 +0000

Amarnath

Thousands of Hindu pilgrims set on a daunting and challenging pilgrimage to the Amarnath Cave. This is a Hindu Shrine which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Pilgrims throng here to have a glimpse of the ice linga. There are two more ice formations representing Lord Ganesha and Goddess Parvati. It is one of the holiest shrines highly revered by Hindus and is located in Jammu and Kashmir. Raghukul Holidays one of the pioneers in pilgrimage trip planning organizes trips to this holy shrine and makes the yatra a wonderful and memorable experience. To know the history and significance of the holy shrine is very important before visiting it.

In ‘Rajtarangini’ which is the History of Kashmir, Kalhan has written that it is believed that the Amarnath cave has been visited by pilgrims for thousand years before Christ.

According to the Puranas, Brighu Muni had visited the cave and had the first darshan. He had revived the valley of Kashmir which had got submerged underwater and when the water had drained, he had the first glimpse of the Lord.

There are references that show that the legendary king Aryaraja used to worship this Linga formed of ice.

In the 11^th century Queen Suryamathi gifted tridents or trishuls, banalingas and other emblems that are considered to be sacred to this Holy Shrine.

According to the Hindu Legend, it is here that Lord Shiva explained to his consort Parvati the secret of life and eternity. Goddess Parvati was very insistent to know the secret of immortality. Lord Shiva was not willing to but after many attempts of persuasion, he had to give in. He said that anyone who listens to the story will become immortal. He searched for a place where no living thing resided. It was the Amarnath cave which the Lord chose. It is believed that he removed the bhibuti and chandan or sandalwood from his forehead and the place where he did it has come to be known as Chandanwari. At the banks of the river Nil Ganga he asked Nandi (ox) to stay and not to allow any creature to enter the cave. This place was called ‘Bailgam’ in ancient days and later it came to be known as Pahalgam. The glacial lake on which Shiva kept his snake is called Sheshnag Lake. The Mahagunush Top is the place where he made his son Ganesha seat. Droplets of water that fell from the shaking of his deadlocks formed five streams and it came to be known as ‘Panchtarani’. During the course of his story narration i.e. the Amarnath, Maa Parvati slept, but, two pigeons were listening to the story and hearing their cooing sound Lord Shiva mistook that Goddess Parvati was listening and continued the narration. This made the two pigeons immortal. It is believed that the pigeons are visible even today in the cave.

Another story states that King Nagaraj approached Rishi Kashyap to help him deal with the Asuras who were troubling him. The Rishi prayed to Lord Shiva who gave him a ‘Chhadi Mubarak’ or ‘Silver Stick’ and directed them to come to the holy cave where He will bless the devotees. Since then the Yatra is done by the devotees who accompany a monk with the Chhadi Mubarak on the full moon day of Raksha Bandhan during the month of Saawan(August) to perform rituals and puja every year.

For thousands of years the cave was not visited due to external invasions and natural calamities. The Holy cave was discovered in the 15^th century by a Muslim shepherd Buta Mallik. He was once given a sack of coal by a sage and after opening he found the sack full of gold. In order to express his gratitude he followed the sage and on reaching the cave he chanced upon the ‘Ice Lingam’. He showed the route to the other sages and thus the Amarnath Yatra commenced. One-fourth of the offerings given to the temple are shared with the descendents of Mallik who also perform the evening Aarthi here.

Raghukul holidays has made the dream come true of many pilgrims by making the visit to the abode of Lord Bholenath a great experience.

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About Author :- Amit Kulkarni is the founder of Raghukul Holidays.

Facts About Muktinath ...

noreply@blogger.com (kailash Mansarovar Yatra) — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 05:37:00 +0000

Muktinath Temple

Mukthinath is a holy place which is mutually respected and supported by the Buddhists and the Hindus. It is situated at an altitude of 3710 metres in the Mukthinath Valley. It is located in the Mustang district of Nepal, in the Annapurna Circuit at the foot of the Thorong La Mountain pass. This pace can be ideally visited from March to June as the weather condition is most favourable during this period.

There are many special attributes which has made it a revered place for many devotes all over the world.

This place is also called ‘Mukti Kshetra’ by the Hindus meaning a ‘place of Moksha’ or ‘place of liberation’.

The Mukthinath temple is the 105^th Divya Desam among the 108 Divya Desams.

The Mukthinath temple is most sacred for the Hindu Vaishnavas and is one among their eight most sacred shrines.

The outer courtyard or prakaram has 108 bull faces through which water is poured out.

The 108 pipes surrounding the temple complex has sacred water flowing denoting the water of sacred Pushkarini. It is believed that the water flows from all the 108 Divya Desams which includes Tirumala, Vaikunta and Srirangam. Despite the freezing conditions, the devotees blissfully take their bath in this sacred place.

It is also considered to a Shakti Peetha which is the holy abode of Goddess Parvati. In Mukthinath the ‘Shakti’ is known by the name ‘Gandaki Chandi’ and the ‘Bhairava’ is addressed as ‘Chakrapani’.

Before the origin of Buddhists, this place was known Thiru Saligrama Sila. It was called so because the place consists of the Saligrama Sila which according to Hindus is considered as the natural available form of Sriman Narayana or Vishnu.

Downstream, the waterway that flows is the place of origin or source of all the Shaligramas or Silas. The riverbed of the holy river Kali Gandaki or Salagrami entirely consists of these sacred stones. To establish a Vishnu temple in any part of the world, the shaligrams are essential.

The revered Satguru of Sabij Yoga Sir Swaminarayan at the end of 18^th century also did severe penance here for two and a half month. He achieved the proficiency of the highest degree in ‘Nishkamvrat’.

Recently the pontiff of the venerated Srivaishanava centre in Srivilliputtur, Tamil Nadu, created a milestone in this revered place. He has installed the sacred idols of Ramanjua (the foremost Vaishnava Acharya), Manavala Mamunigal(Hindu religious leader) and Andal (Sri Gotha Devi).

The greatest attribute of this place is that it represents the presence of all the five elements air, sky, earth, fire and water in their distinctive form. It is quite astonishing to see trees growing at such an unusual and high altitude. This is the very reason and for many other unseen reasons, both the Hindu yogis as well as the Buddhist yogis come to Mukthinath for doing meditation.

The Tibetan Buddhist Nuns take care of the Mukthinath Temple.

It is called ‘Chumig Gyatsa’ by the Buddhists which mean ‘Hundred Waters’. It is also believed to be the abode of the Sky Dancers, Dakinis.

It is one of the 24 revered Tantric places for the Buddhists.

This place is believed to be a manifestation of the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara who is most revered in the Mahayana Buddhism. Only the blessed and the gifted are fortunate this holy place and get the Holy blessings of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi.

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About Author :- Amit Kulkarni is the founder of Raghukul Holidays.

Rakshas Tal - The Lake of the Demon !!!

noreply@blogger.com (kailash Mansarovar Yatra) — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 06:27:00 +0000

Rakshas Tal

The yearning to be at their master’s feet makes people do unimaginable things. It did that to the might Dravidian Demon King Lankapati Ravana.

It all started when the headstrong, Egoistic Ravana’s mother fell ill and wanted to be near the lord of Mt Kailasa. Not wanting to disturb his ailing mother, the demon king tried to uproot the mountain with the Lord and his consort and take them away to his kingdom in Lanka. From available materials including stone depictions, it becomes obvious that Devi Parvati was scared and clung to the Lord. Shiva, the calm one, as always, kept calm but was not quiet. He pushed Mt Kailash into the ground with his toe and managed to trap the demon king there.

Realization dawned in Ravana after eons of lying under the mountain that he had met his match if not his Lord. Thus enlightened, he sought the Lord’s blessings through sever penance for which he formed this beautiful though enigmatic waterbody people call “Rakshas Taal”. On the banks of this lake this Managyani (yes, the ten head signify this and not that he was a deformity!) did everything possible to please the god including cutting one of his heads every day till the Lord finally relented!

How could the Lord not relent in the face of such relentless penance! Not only did the Lord give his disciple “darshan”, he also gave him a part of him, his lingum to place in the latter’s kingdom to signify the Lord’s presence.

That was as far as folk-lore goes. Reality too is just as colorful. Covering an expanse of 70 square kilometers at an altitude of 4,752 metres (15,591 ft), Lake Rakshastal or La Nga Co lies to the west of Lake Manasarovar and Mt. Kailash. In dimension, it is slightly smaller than its more know neighnour.

The difference though does not end at size. In stark contrast to the lively Manasarovar which is a fresh water lake, Rakshas Taal’s water is brackish. Marine life or life otherwise, is thus not comparable to Manasarovar. Rakshas Tal then has an eerie, silent beauty to it with a beautiful and majectic deep blue hue.

Once part of the adjoining Manasarovar lake which may have been an inland sea, plate tectonics played the role in separating it with only small channel called Ganga Chhu connecting them. This happened when the earth mass of Gondwanaland rammed into the Eurasian Plate to the norh millions of years back.

Some interesting facts about this lake. Firstly, despite the water being brakish, it is the source of one of the most important rivers in India, Satluj. Secondly, Manasarovar despite its pre-eminent position does not receive any water directly from Mt Kailash, Rakshas Tal does. There is an interesting myth behind the 2nd phenomenon. Apparently, Mt Kailash is the abode of not only of Lord Shiva or Mahadev but also of Kuber, the God of Wealth and prosperity, who not many know, is the half-brother of non other than Lankeshwara, King Ravana. Well, even to the Gods, blood certainly is being thicker than devotion!

Given that most people visit Manasarovar out of piety and devotion, not many find this sister lake with a colorful story interesting enough. But that may be changing as the profile of people visiting this part of the world is also changing.

From Pune if you intend doing the Kailash Manasarovar yatra 2014, there are more than one option though it is advisable to use seasoned travel assistance like Raghukul Holidays to take you to not only for the Kailash Parikrama but also take you to lesser know though no less significant places en route. After all, experience does help!

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About Author :- Amit Kulkarni is the founder of Raghukul Holidays.

My Experience of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra

noreply@blogger.com (kailash Mansarovar Yatra) — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 10:24:00 +0000

Mt. Kailash

The journey to Kailash MansarovarYatra was indeed a journey of a life time. I am truly blessed to be ordained by the Almighty to take up this wonderful yatra.

The best time to visit Mount Kailash Manasarovar is during the period between May to November. It is a very ideal time and I had the opportunity to enjoy the most exciting spiritual experience. The place is so tranquil and peaceful that I was able to meditate in its midst. Kailash Parvat or the Gangs Rinpoche (Tibetan name) lies near Lake Manasarovar and Lake Rakshastal. This snow peaked abode of Lord Shiva looks like a precious jewel or crystal. It is also the source of many Holy rivers like Ganges, Indus, Brahmaputra or Tsangpo, Sutlej and Karnali.

On Way To Kailash

I was able to feel the radiation of spiritual energy and could achieve a sense of inner-peace. The KailashParikrama or circumambulating on foot and prostrating full-length are a holy ritual which brings good fortune. A single set of parikrama around the Kailash Mountain washes away our sins of a lifetime. 108 such parikramas will help in achieving Nirvana or Moksha. The entire parikrama is a three-day trek covering 53Kms. Just ahead of the Dolma pass is Gouri Kund which comprises of five small kunds and is the essence of all the Vedas. The Kund comprises of emerald green water and it is believed that Goddess Parvati bathed here. I took few sip of the holy water which is believed to free a human being from sins committed in a hundred lives. Oblations are also offered to your ancestors by taking a ceremonial bath in this lake. It was truly a heavenly experience for me to do the Parikrama.

Lake Mansarovor

The Lake Manasarovar is a feast to the eyes. Lord Brahma the Swayambu created this lake which is considered in the Hindu Mythology to be the source of all creations. The word Manas means ‘mind of Lord Brahma’. It is the highest fresh water body in the world. I truly lost my heart in this enthralling place. Entering this water in which it is believed that the Gods gave a bath to Queen Maya before Lord Buddha was born is an experience beyond words. I could feel the freezing water energize my body. I was in a state of elation while having a holy bath in this lake and calling out ‘Om Namah Shivaya’. Another ethereal sight is during the Brahmamuhurtha i.e., around 3 a.m. to 5 a.m. It is believed that Gods come to have a dip. We could see a few figures coming down to Manas and then disappear. Then lots of stars began to appear which is truly phenomenal.

I feel that the Mount Kailash Yatra is a most rewarding thing that can ever happen. The whole mystery of mankind and the mysticism gets unfolded in this sacred place. I am indeed fortunate to have stepped foot in this holy place where Gods and spiritual philosophers have submerged in a trance of bliss.

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About Author :- Amit Kulkarni is the founder of Raghukul Holidays.

How is the Nightlife in Lhasa ???

noreply@blogger.com (kailash Mansarovar Yatra) — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 11:28:00 +0000

Flavor of Tibetan Night Life

Lhasa with its 3000 hours of unadulterated, unpolluted sunshine has just as beautiful a nightlife!

Meaning the "Place of the Gods", it is the capital of TAR, an acronym for Tibet Autonomous Region, which is the southern-most part of the People's Republic of China,. It is in the same region as the revered Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarovar. When you intend to go for mount kailash yatra from Nepal, most seasoned tour operators, would take you to Lhasa as a part of the circuit. Well, that is like hitting two birds with one stone!

Situated at a height of 3490 meters between the co-ordinates 29°39′N 91°07′E, it is one of the highest cities in the world. Winter climates dip to a low of −1.6 °C (29.1 °F) in January and are in addition, dry. Summers are mild in comparison to most of India at 16.0 °C (60.8 °F). Nights are a cool 4.0 °C. It rains mainly from July to September with most of the rains coming at night leaving Lhasa beautiful, clean and sunny during the daytime. Lhasa is thus best visited between March to October.Day or night, Lhasa is thus the perfect place to do the one thing most folks enjoy. Sight seeing!

Spirituality is what Lhasa is all about. Day time sees one being spiritual visiting the Potala Palace, Jokang Temple, Barkhor Street and the monasteries. Night time ring in the the spirits from the bottle! Also called tipple.

It is better to err on the side of caution and go through seasoned tour operators when you intend to visit Lhasa and time soon. Raghukul Holidays of Pune mention that it is not cakewalk to visit Lhasa given the Chinese penchant for secrecy and it should be left to their likes to arrange for your visit, stay and local transport.

Its spiritual side not-withstanding, the ruling government of today has to an extent opened up the isolationist mind-set with a good mix of theaters, performers, bars and restaurants. Despite these, it is still low-key when compared to established world cities with things like live performances, sitting around a table with friends or strolls through night markets making the trip memorable.

Tianhai Night Market with its Restaurants and street vendors is a place where one goes to for food post sundown. Varied cuisines from all parts of China be it Sinkiang Noodle with Sauce, Lanzhou Ramen, Sichuan Hotpot, Mutton Da Pai Dang to name a few, line the street.

If you are game for some local cultural performances there are some like “The Crazy Yak Troupe” which introduce you to Tibetan singing and dancing. They entertain at a couple of venue in Lhasa, including the Crazy Yak Restaurant and the Shangri La Restaurant. The show starts with a short performance on the various aspects of the Tibetan Opera, carrying on with a drinking song where everyone is encouraged to take part and culminates in a sketch symbolizing nomads subduing and domestication wild yaks. A pantomime yak comes on stage and appears to be wild before being restrained and he then walks round kissing members of the audience. The show finishes with the nomad riding the yak.

Bars in Lhasa are attractive for their unique exotic flavors be it western, oriental, local or an exotic crazy mix.

Some of the place worth a visit are:

Bars & Tea Houses

5238

48 North Duosenge Road, Chengguan District

Tel: 0891-6815222

Jianghu Bar

Facing Ya Hotel (100 East Beijing Road)

Tel: 0891-6348158

Yangjinma Bar

In Danjielin Bar-street, Danjielin Road, Chengguan District (near Jokhang Temple)

U.N.D.C Coffee

The east side of the Potala Palace in East Kang'ang Road

Tel: 0891-6360971

Lhasa Spinn Café

The east of the crossing for East Beijng Road and North Qingnian Road

Tel: 0891-6361163

U.B.C Coffee

Middle Beijng Road, Chengguan District

Try the Tibetian Butter Tea here!

Tibetan Family Feast

Try the Tibetian Butter Tea and Steamed stuffed buns made of potatoes and barley wine.

75 East Area, Tuanjie Xin Village, Chengguan District

Tel: 0891-6332886

Take some time out of your busy schedule and give this beautiful city a visit that it deserves. So, Safe Journey & Happy Holidaying !!!

SOURCES :-

1) Wikipedia

2) TripAdvisor

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Please feel free to leave your comments below.

About Author : Amit Kulkarni is the founder of Raghukul Holidays

What are the tourist attractions in Lhasa ?

noreply@blogger.com (kailash Mansarovar Yatra) — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 10:35:00 +0000

Potala Palace - Lhasa City

Lhasa, literally meaning "Place of the Gods", in its earliest form it was likely a place surrounded by a wall or enclosure suggesting that it may have been a hunting preserve within the royal residence on Marpori Hill.

It is the Capital city of TAR, an acronym for Tibet Autonomous Region, part of the People's Republic of China, our “Friendly” neighbor to the north and also in the same region as the revered Mt. Kailash-Mansarovar.

Situated at a height of 3490 meters between the co-ordinates 29°39′N 91°07′E, it is one of the highest cities in the world with a cool, semi-arid climate with frosty winters and mild summers. Being in a valley helps protect from the elements such as intense cold, heat and strong winds. It is also called the “sunlit city” which enjoys nearly 3,000 hours of sunlight annually! almost the same as most Indian cities, minus the killing heat and moisture! The coldest month is January with an average temperature of −1.6 °C (29.1 °F) and the warmest month is June with a daily average of 16.0 °C (60.8 °F). It rains mainly from July to September with most of the rains coming at night leaving Lhasa beautiful, clean and sunny during the daytime. The best time to visit Lhasa is thus between March to October.

This then is the perfect setting for the one activity enjoyed by most- sightseeing!! and Lhasa offers a lot – though of a different kind. One has to have a strong spiritual leaning to enjoy it. Despite its strife-torn, chequered past, the Chinese dispensation has seen to it that its spiritual essence best displayed in its temples, relics and life on the streets is not lost to commercialization. Given the complexity involved, one would be advised to go through seasoned tour operators. In Pune, Raghukul Holidays is one such entity.

Some of the more known tourist landmarks are:

Ø The Nietang Buddha: In downtown Lhasa on the way to the Gongkar Airport, this is one place meant for the snapshots and shutterbugs what with the Buddha being up close!

Ø Potala Palace: You could not miss this, even when you are not in TAR. Synonymous with Tibet, the Potala Palace features in every article mentioning Tibet. Situated on the Red Hill of central Lhasa, the Potala Palace is the world’s highest ancient palace reaching 3,767.19m (12,359.55ft) at the highest point. Part of the Qing Dynasty’s accomplishmen(1644B.C. - 1911B.C.) and the continuous expanding work since the 17th century, it is composed of 2 parts, the Red Palace as the center and the White Palace as two wings.

Ø Jokang Temple: Included in UNESCO's World Heritage list in 2000 as part of the Potala Palace complex, the Jokhang Temple located in Central Lhasa covers an area of approximately 25,000 square meters ie. about six acres. Legend has it that King Songtsem Gampo, the 33rd king of Tibet successively married Princess Bhrikuti of Nepal and Princess Wen Cheng of the Tang Dynasty. The two wives arrived here with a statue of Jowo Sakyamuni each. To house the Buddha brought by Princess Wen Cheng, the King constructed the Little Jokhang. Jealous of her, Princess Burikuti asked Gampo to build a Jokhang for her as well. Therefore, in 647 the giant complex was built. The original complex included only eight shrines. After multiple renovations, over centuries, the complex grew to the scale seen today.

Ø Barkhor Street: It is the present form of the area surrounding the Jokhang Temple. It houses shops selling things like prayer wheels, long-sleeve 'chuba' (the Tibetan people's traditional clothes), Tibetan knives and religious artifacts. Some even sell the 'Thangka', the Tibetan scroll painting which in itself is a unique art form with varied themes like religion, history, and customs. A must-visit for die-hard pilgrims who throng it from dawn to dusk either walking or moving prone to the ground, in a clockwise direction, it still retains the intense spirituality of the original Lhasa.

The three main monasteries in Lhasa are also not to be missed. They are Sera Monastery, Ganden Monastery and Drepung Monastery. So, take some time out of your busy schedule and visit this wonder of nature. Happy Holidaying !!!

SOURCES :-

1) Wikipedia

2) TravelChinaGuide

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Please feel free to leave your comments below.

About Author : Amit Kulkarni is the founder of Raghukul Holidays

What is it that pulls people to the Kailash Parikrama?

noreply@blogger.com (kailash Mansarovar Yatra) — Mon, 30 Dec 2013 07:40:00 +0000

Kailash Parikrama

To the religious amongst the Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and Bons, the place calls you. The Almight commands and you HAVE to go! Period. To the rest, it the sheer sense of adventure which brings them to Kailash Mansarovar. Doing the Kailash Parikrama tests one’s endurance to its limits as also the sense of devotion!

Those of you who intend to make this journey, there are varied tour operators in India as also Pune. Try doing a reliability test on these before committing yourself. This is no walk-in-the-park activity and needs a humongous amount of preparation what with the entire area of Kaliash Manasarovar and Kailesh Parikrama being in a disputed territory and that too in a country sharing not exactly very friendly relations with India. Raghukul Holidays of Pune is one such reliable tour operator with requisite experience.

Location of Mount Kailash is also very interesting. Mt Kailash stands at 6638 meters above sea level in a plateau region of Tibet Autonomous Region coming under China. Its location on the map shows its proximity with India being about 200 kilometers by foot. The Kailash Parikrama itself is another 55-60 kms. In itself, Mt Kailash is quite a quirk of nature. It stands tallest on a high, windy, dry and desolate plateau which is devoid of any kind of vegetation. No trees for miles together. On the plateau, you get to see two things, rugged mountains….and Mt Kailash standing majestically in the backdrop. It does have a weird pyramid-like shape with all kinds of theories about its origins.

The circumambulation of this mountain known in India as “Kailash Parikrama” takes 55-60 kilometers and has to be done only on foot. Means like vehicles, ponies, yak etc do not figure- at least as far as the parikrama goes. It takes approximately 3 days of walking/ trekking to make one round of Mt Kailash. Starting from a height of approx 15,000 ft (4,600 m) past the Tarboche (flagpole) to cross the Drölma pass at 18,200 ft (5,500 m), and encamping for two nights en route. First, near the meadow of Dirapuk gompa, some 2 to 3 km (1.2 to 1.9 mi) before the pass and second, after crossing the pass and going downhill as far as possible.

One thing everyone should know clearly is that doing this parikrama is very, very touch and challenging. One is pitted against nature’s worst in terms of extreme climate, thin air and treacherous terrain. You can reach the base of the mountain by mechanized means such as jeeps but to be able to go around it is another story. There are no roads and one has to trek through high mountain passes situated at a great height making breathing an excruciatingly difficult exercise. But then, to gain the presence of the almighty, you have to give up something which may be your precious time, efforts and resources.

Go right ahead. Plan, execute and be blessed because it happens only once in a lifetime that you get to visit the almighty- ALIVE!

Sources :-

1) Wikipedia

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About Author :- Amit Kulkarni is the founder of Raghukul Holidays.

Where is Kailash Mansarovar situated ???

noreply@blogger.com (kailash Mansarovar Yatra) — Fri, 27 Dec 2013 13:31:00 +0000

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra

The Kailash-Mansarovar area is part of in the south-western tip of the Tibetean Plateau. In a way, it is on the leeway side of the himalayas on the other side. If one were to put a straight line from New Delhi to Kailash Manasarovar, it would be just 550 kms! But then, only crows and eagles would be able to tread this path. For us humans, given the tough terrain, heights and frosty political climate, the distance is much more- approx 900 kms. These days, though there are organizations which take guided tours for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra taking good care of the participants.

The kailash parikrama or circumambulation of the Kailas Parvat is about 54 kms.

Mt Kailash, revered amongst Hindus as the abode of Rudra, the angry though benevolent and his consort Devi Parvati, overlooks the Mansarovar at a distance of 32 kms with the Rakshas Tal to its south.

Mount Kailash is a peak in the Kailash Range, part of the Trans-himalaya in Tibet.

With its four facades facing north, east, south, and west, Mount Kailash looks like an enormous diamond. Seventy-five percent as high as Mount Everest, the mountain is one of the tallest peaks in the Himalayas. On its southern face, a vertical gash crosses horizontal layers, creating the image of a swastika. The word comes from svastika, Sanskrit for well-being and good fortune. Buddhists regard the mountain as a mandala -— the sacred circle from which the sacred rivers flow like the spokes of the eternal wheel. At sunset the whole of the Kailash range on the north becomes a fiery region all of a sudden, throwing an observer into a trance, and by the time he returns to consciousness he sees only the Silvery Peak in front.

Manasa-sarovara is probably the holiest, most enchanting amongst lakes, water bodies and pilgrimages. For its size, it is majestically calm and dignified with hues of bluish green emerald color. It is set between two mighty and equally majestic mountains, the Kailash to the north and the Gurla Mandhata to the south. To its west is its sister lake Rakshas-Tal with some hills to the east. Manasarovar is located at an impossible height of approx 46000 meters (14950 feet). above sea level. Its vast expanse covers an area close to 90 kms in circumference and an are close to 320 sq kms with a crazy depth of approx 90 meters! Ie approx 300 feet!! Winters turns this whole water body into a solid block of ice. Come spring and it melts to reveal clear blue waters. It has the distinction of being the highest fresh water lake in the world. By the side of it, there are caves and areas where one can set camp.

During the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, weather overall is unpredictable most of the year round. One moment you have scorching Sun, the next moment it begins to hail and snow and shortly after having a nap and coming out of your camp, you will see a clear blue sky and bright Sun above and a bed of pearl-like hail and white snow on the ground.

Summers (May to August) are very pleasant with moderate climate, with average around 15°C.

· Monsoons (September to November) are accompanied with little rain falls and also temperature drops down to 10°C.

· Winters (December to April) are chilly days with average minimum touching near 5°C. Minimum can touch sub zero levels to -15°C. Snow falls often during winters.

In winter all mountains and river lakes are frozen and covered with snow, so the time of yatra is from May to September. Indian pilgrims visit from June to September in 16 batches. (30-40 in every batch). In Pune, there are but a few seasoned operators Raghukul Holidays which take regular batches for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. Selected people go through medical tests and other formalities before they do yatra in their batches.

Sources :-

1) Wikipedia

2) Adishakti

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Please feel free to post your comments below.

About Author :- Amit Kulkarni is the founder of Raghukul Holidays.

Mount Kailash - Rudra's Abode

noreply@blogger.com (kailash Mansarovar Yatra) — Fri, 06 Dec 2013 07:39:00 +0000

Mount Kailash

An Arabic saying goes - Muhammad (the Prophet) does not go to the mountain. The mountain goes to Muhammad.

In a weirdly similar way, one does not go to Mt Kailash. It calls you. Standing at a majestic 6,638 meters above sea level on the western-most fringe of the Tibetean plateau, this is one mountain with no comparison in the entire Himalayan range starting from the steamy forests of Burma in the east to the dry, freezing heights of the Karakoram Ranges in Central Asia. It is almost as though a great force (not certainly human!) thought of building a near-perfect pyramid on top of a plateau! This fact has been validated by Russian Geologists who opine that given its dimensions, someone has actually made a pyramid-shaped mountain! Beat it!! And that too with sides perfectly aligned to the four corners of the earth! Wow! And to top it all, it is also called “Svayambhu” ie that which has developed on its own! Food for thoughts?

At first sight what seems most conspicuous is that this mountain stands not in the usual setting of snow and ice all around but on a rugged, dry moon-like surfaced plateau making its presence even more formidable. On a clear full moon night, the sight of a single peak in white against a backdrop of darkness makes it look ethereal. A perfect setting then for the abode of “Rudra” the Angry though Benevolent One! It evokes near-similar sentiments in parts amongst the Buddhists, Jains and local communities here.

People who visit Mt Kailash can broadly be segregated into die-hard ie pilgrims or rock-hard ie the adventure seekers. If reports are to be believed, the Chinese Government intends to add another category shortly. The softies ie couch potatoes! They intend to open this hitherto secluded sector to tourists and exploit it to the extent possible. Imagine the plight of die-hard pilgrims mingling with camera totting, cola-sipping, pot-bellied tourists! For the pilgrim, grim indeed. Hope the project takes a loooong time to fructify. Let the sanctity of the place remain. To only a few, the idea permeates that it is not only the place but the journey that makes it what it is. From time immemorial, people have been visiting this sacred, awe-inspiring place and gone back with insights branded into their subconscious.

Most pilgrims come with long-standing issues which seems unsolvable by earthly means. At this juncture, the gods are expected step in. It is said that the presiding deity “Shankara” or “Shiva” converses with his pilgrims by means of insights and visions which end-up remaining in one’s conscience for all times to come. The lessons learnt over the course of the arduous journey and the sights here seem to bring new insights for most pilgrims with relation to life and its challenges.

Most pilgrims tend to circumambulate (called kora) around the base of the mountain which is a distance of 32 miles. Mind it, this is no walk-to-the-mall stuff with a mountain pass en-route going upto 18000 feet!! Local Tibetians are said to be able to complete this in under a day but for most outsiders given the prevailing weather conditions, it takes upto 2-3 days.

Well, after reading this if you feel breathless, try going to the park next door and building some stamina. Who know, the sights of Mt Kailash just might take your breath away!

Sources :-

1) Wikipedia

2) Yowangdu

3) VedicEmpire

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Please feel free to post your comments below.

About Author :- Amit Kulkarni is the founder of Raghukul Holidays.

Lake Mansarovar : Serenity at its Peak

noreply@blogger.com (kailash Mansarovar Yatra) — Fri, 06 Dec 2013 06:55:00 +0000

Mansarovar Lake

Derived from the words “Manas” meaning the mind and “Sarovar” the lake, Manasarovar does imbibe peace in those determined enough to have gone close to it. It is not only the Hindus who revere it; Buddhists, Jains and some local communities too share religious beliefs about the lake and have entire legends devoted to it.

Situated at the foothills to the south of the revered Mount Kailash or Meru, Manasarovar along with Rakshas Tal or Ravan Harda form the reservoir of one of the biggest watersheds in Asia and is home to some of the biggest river systems known like the Indus, Satluj and the Brahmaputra. Located on a high plateau with the backdrop of mountains including the Mt Kailash, Manasarovar is the embodiment of beauty and tranquility. Its bluish-green hue adds to the aura of mystique.

Legend has it that Brahma (of the Hindu trinity of gods) created it for his progeny to cleanse themselves when the latter visited these parts to pay obeisance to Shiva and his consort Parvati. Another mentions its connect with the Nagas who resided in the lake and ate from the Jambu tree growing therein. It is said that fruits of the Jambul tree turned into gold when they fell into the lake! Coincidentally, there is an unused gold mine close-by! This also happens to be the final resting place of some of the mortal remains of the one we call the Father of our Nation, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi.

In times gone by, surrounding the lake were eight Buddhist gompas of Trugo, Gotsuk (Gossul), Chiu, Cherkip, Langpona, Bönri, Seralung, and Yerngo representative in Buddhism of the spokes in the Wheel of Life with the lake itself being the hub. The circumference of the lake is about 54 miles though for Buddhist pilgrims visiting the eight shrines, it stretches to 64. For the Buddhists, the lake is also a representation of the Lake Anotta where the Buddha’s mother bathed and had a vision of him appearing from the direction of Mt Kailash on a white elephant before he was born.

Being close to 4600 meters from mean sea level, getting there is anything but easy. Besides the arduous walk over varied and often challenging terrain, the altitude makes it a strict no-no for most faint-hearted sedentary folks. This then is the stuff for the tough who may include seasoned trekkers, soul searchers and die-hard pilgrims and yogis.

If you think you have it in you, this is the place to be at least once in this lifetime. Be warned, this is no idyllic picnic spot or carefully preserved garden. This is the modern equivalent of tapasya where nothing other than hardships comes easy.

Sources :-
1) Wikipedia
2) University of Colorado Boulder

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Please feel free to post your comments below.

About Author :- Amit Kulkarni is the founder of Raghukul Holidays.

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra by Helicopter – The most delightful journey

noreply@blogger.com (kailash Mansarovar Yatra) — Thu, 14 Nov 2013 06:41:00 +0000

I am a travel freak. I like spending most of my time in travelling and excavating new places and things. One of the excellent places I travelled is Mansarovar with the best travel experience. It was my most comfortable and content journey with Raghukul holidays tour package. The entire package was full of fun and enjoyment with the set of agency people who were always ready to assist the passengers with all aspects. And I was very much happy with the facilities provided throughout the package. With the perfect blend of package and place my Kailash Mansarovar yatra by helicopter became the most tremendous journey.

Mansarovar is the lake connected with Mount Kailash which is a lord shiva’s holy place. It is one of the most eye catching lake which is at the midst of snow filled mountain ranges. The divine blessings of lord Shiva have made the lake look more and more beautiful and fascinating. Mansarovar can be reached either by walk with the help of yalks and horses or by helicopter. I choose the second option. The entire lake view from the helicopter was enchanting with a slight snow fall at the top. When we choose to have a glance from that height we felt as if we have gone melted with in the clouds. This Mount Kailash Mansarovar yatra by helicopter gave me the most astonishing view of god’s the best creation.

The package included delighted food, beverages, restaurant and travelling facilities. Pick up and drop facilities right from the airport to hotel rooms were available along both the ways. The service people were very much responsible towards passengers; they made sure we reach back our destinations safely. Finally I am glad to have a satisfying journey with the most reliable tourist packages. All the above factors, made my Kailash Mansarovar yatra by helicopter the most cherishing journey.

Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage – A visit to Lord Shiva’s Abode

noreply@blogger.com (kailash Mansarovar Yatra) — Thu, 14 Nov 2013 06:32:00 +0000

A dream long cherished was to make a pilgrimage visit to the abode of Lord Shiva. This was fulfilled when this long waited Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage was undertaken by my family and me. This yatra has a special emphasis is all Lord Shiva’s followers.

The entire trip was made memorable due to the Raghukul team. This trip was once a life time experience in all our lives. The staff of Raghukul, is a team of excellent and well oriented professional who made our travel to this pilgrimage a wonderful experience. This team actually thinks of everything and even provides you with a translator so that you are at your ease in a foreign land. This team understands the devotion that a devotee of Lord Shiva has for him, also they are very sensitive to their needs.

The Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage is a trip for 12 nights and 13 days, each day is chalked out in such a way that one does not feel the strain of travelling the altitude and the distance that one makes from ones home town to the Lord’s abode and get acclimatized gradually. In this trip we not only visited the Mt. Kailash and the Mansarovar lake, but we also got to visit other temples like the Pashupatinath Temple, Swayabhunath and Budhaneelkantha in Kathmandu and got a pleasure trip at the capital of the mountain country Nepal. The entire journey was full of beautiful sites that filled one’s mind with peace and tranquillity. Help is provided for immigration formalities also.

If anyone is planning to take the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage then our suggestion is to undertake this pilgrimage through Raghukul Holidays. They will ensure that you have a wonderful experience while visiting the abode of Lord Shiva, like our family did.