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Kailash from Diaraphuk doing the Kailash Kora around Kailash during The Kailash Mansarovar Trek in Tibet.
Mt. Kailash *(South Face)* from Diaraphuk.
Though other westerners like the Jesuit priest Desideri & in the early part of the 1800's amp; William Moorcroft (with Hyder Jung Herseay) had put Mt. Kailash on the map one of the first westerners to measure it was Henry Strachey, a lieutenant in the 66th Bengal Native Infantry and belonging to one of the most outstanding and influential British families who made their mark in Brtish India.
During the hot weather of 1846 ostensibly on sick leave but determined to visit the holy lake Mansarovar and unfettered by a new government ban on travel to Tibet he made his way to Milam and with the assistance of Deb SIngh Rawat (grand father of Nain Singh Rawat the first explorer Pandit) he crossed over the Lampiya Dhura Pass disguised as a Hindu pilgrim. Traveling fast and keeping off well known paths and passes he reached the south west corner of Rakas Tal in 5 days after crossing the border.
After measuring the flow rates of both the Rakas Tal and Mansarovar, his attention was taken up by the "most beautiful peak he had ever seen. " A King Of Mountains, full of majesty which he estimated to be 21,000 feet high ... This clandestine trip won him the Patrons Gold Medal of The Royal Geographic Society as well as a place in the British Mission to Ladakh.
In 1848 it was the turn of his younger brother Richard Strachey, who was serving as an Engineer in the Bombay Army. Richard was perhaps the most talented of the 5 generation of Strachey's who served in India. He also started his clandestine visit from Kumaon again with the help of Deb Singh Rawat, taking as his guide his son Mani Singh Rawat. After confirming his brothers figures and drainage of the holy lakes he turned his attention to establishing the position and height of Kailash , later topographical figures showed that his figure of 22,000 ft to be just 28 feet on the low side.
#449 onDec 8 2008 Explore
There is a old legend of Asia, of a great sacred mountain which is the center of the world and from its flanks emerge four mighty rivers of the east which bring sustenance to the region
There are no mountains like the Himalayas for in them lie Kailash & Mansarovar
-The Skanda Purana
To the early Aryans it was Mount Meru not only the navel of the Earth but the centre of the universe as well. On its summit is located the Swarga – the heaven – presided over by the king of the Hindu Gods, Indra, who is also the God of rains that bring prosperity to the vast food bowl of the Gangetic plains.
To the modern Hindu's it is known as Kailash (Crystal), where The Great God Shiva resides along with Parvati his consort.
To the Tibetan Buddhists it is known as Tise (Ice Peak) or Kang Rinpoche. (the Precious Snow Mountain) and regard it as the dwelling place of Demchog (also known as Chakrasamvara) and his consort, Dorje Phagmo.
The Bön,. the religion which predates Buddhism in Tibet, maintain that the entire mystical region and the Nine story Swastika Mountain ( Tagzig Olmo Lung Ring) and its the seat of all Spiritual power.
For Jains, this is the region of Mount Ashtapada, on the summit of which Rishabanatha, the first tirthankar, gained spiritual liberation.
It rises to a height of 6,638 m (21,778 ft) and remains unclimbed.
From time immemorial it has been the goal of pilgrims and explorers and the legends that surround it make it one of the most sacred and revered mountains in the world.
Mount Kailash is also the source of four major rivers: the Indus, the Brahmaputra, the Karnali and the Sutlej. The comparison to the Indian legend of Mount Meru from whose summit flows four great rivers that irrigate all of Asia is hard to miss.
Eighteen miles southeast of Kailash is the circular, turquoise Lake Manasarovar, or Tso Rinpoche, [Precious Lake], a 64-mile circuit, which is rarely completed except by the most devout. Bathing in the lake, or even dousing one’s head with the holy water, is said to be of enormous spiritual benefit to those who can brave the icy water which many claim contain miraculous powers. Hindus are told that complete immersion into the lake ensures they be reborn as a god. This is a freshwater lake, three miles above sea level. There is a saltwater lake, separated by a narrow peninsula, named Raksas Tal, or "Ravan's (The Demon King of the Ramayana) lake. Pilgrims don’t bathe or circumambulate this crescent moon-shaped body of water, but do pay their respect by glancing in its direction.
Five monasteries have been rebuilt on the shores of Lake Manasarovar since 1981—before the Chinese invasion in 1959 there were eight. Fatigued pilgrims are allowed to stay in the monasteries.
Fewer than 500 Indian nationals are allowed "officially" to make the pilgrimage per year due to the Chinese and Indian governments. Most of the Indians allowed in are selected via a lottery and the ability to pay their own way (Rs. 1.5 lakhs) is evident in the fact that the majority of them are middle-aged businessmen from large cities. Lately some Indians have used the various travel tours available from Nepal to get rid of these limitations.
Camera Model Name: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Lens: EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM
Tv (Shutter Speed): 1/640
Av (Aperture Value): 9.0
Metering: Evaluative Metering
ISO Speed: 100
Focal Length: 400.0 mm
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Part I: The Preparation
"Everyone has setbacks. I'm no different..."
- Oscar Leonard Carl Pistorius, South African sprint runner.
It came at a time unsuitable as any, a representative from the travel company (who handles most of my trips) called up to inform that they had a fixed departure tour plan for Tibet coming up. A week to confirm and a couple of months to prepare was all that was there.
Tibet has been on top of the wish list but there was a glitch. Life had thrown a curve ball which left me gutted, as a result had cut off almost all connection with the outside world. It was like retreating inside mother's womb after being reminded once again how vicious human beings could be.
Neither emotionally nor physically was at a spot to undertake this but the call of the Himalayas is impossible to ignore. After a week of conflicting conclusions, let the travel company know that was ready to give it a try. The biggest challenge was to clear the medical tests required to apply for Chinese visa (as Tibet is under Chinese invasion currently) to trek in and around Mt. Kailash. Damage from prolonged sleep and eating disorder was guaranteed to show up in the medical report.
Amanda, my motivational coach came in the strongest. She reasoned, "You encountered a man and a woman who are fatally flawed, so damaged that they see everyone around them as a mark to either rob or harm. Liars and predators trying to justify their own failings, one an under achiever and another a social leech who only lives off other people. First cousins involved in an incestuous relationship is indication enough that you were dealing with characters who are just one more light bulb shortage away from total lunacy. Look at their entire family backup, a gene pool consisting of DNA that probably is not in the form of the usual double helix (spiral configuration) but with few extra twists and people are indeed designed by their genetic code. Almost always these lowlifes manage to walk away unscathed because they are experts in concocting a good sob story or effectively plug loopholes, don't forget though that scum floats to the surface, but eventually sinks without a trace.
You gave your trust too easily, too soon, saw with your eyes tight shut. Agreed that you entered the dark tunnel but time to emerge and adapt to things around you."
My personal trainer in the gym said in two month's time with serious dedication it was an attainable goal. The fitness manager and my doctor were much in agreement.
However, what really had fired things up was a news clipping on television showing Oscar Pistorious the South African double amputee athlete prepping for the London Olympics 2012 meet. While some heroes eventually turn into rust, there will still be others to inspire.
Exactly three weeks later cleared the scheduled medical tests without a hitch.
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15th December, 2012: Winner of the "Daily Travel Photography Contest"held by PHOTOBURST.
Photo editors thanks so much for giving me a second win in a single week! :-D
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