The Ganges And Mount Kailas

Ganges: The River Ganges is Mother Earth to millions of Hindus. She is commonly referred to as"Ganga Ma"or"Mother Ganga.”The Ganges is an extremely sacred river, a highly revered and physically dynamic life force to the Hindu faith. Millions throughout India make a pilgrimage every year. Through the centuries, countless yogis have left countless blessings along her banks. Thousands of temples adorn the shores of the Ganges, and every day bells ring to call the devout to worship and bathe at their nearest Ganga temple. Hindus believe that washing the body in the River Ganges removes karmic blocks and cleanses past sins. To a new disciple, a Hindu would say," Don't mind the floating garbage-it is merely an indication of Mother Earth's presently polluted state-have faith, jump in and let yourself be engulfed by her warm embrace!"Somehow, despite widespread pollution, scientific tests on water purity remain inexplicably high around the Ganges' many bathing centers. Hundreds of bathing and burial ghats grace the shores of the Ganges, with the highest concentration in the holy city of Varanasi (Benares). Varanasi is India's holiest, and perhaps oldest, city. The Hindus believe the souls of those who die and are cremated along the shores of the River Ganges will be transported immediately to paradise. Varanasi is a destination to which every devout Hindu attempts to make at least one pilgrimage, especially just prior to death. A slow boat trip on the River Ganges at dawn, past 1,500 temples, shrines, palaces, burning ghats and bathing ghats, where thousands of pilgrims come daily to wash away their sins, is one of the greatest spiritual sights in the world. Rishikesh is a famous town on the Ganges, the name literally translated as"village of seers.”Anyone who goes there knows Rishikesh is blessed with a sacred vibration. For centuries it has attracted saints, sadhus and all those wishing to become rishis, or seers. So significant are the seers that there is even an eye hospital in town for those needing improvement on their physical eyesight! A multitude of Ganges temples grace the east side of the city near dozens of ashrams. Rishikesh is located in the Himalayan foothills, close to where the River Ganges emerges from the mountains. The riverside city of Sarnath is where Buddha preached his first sermon about"The middle way"After having attained enlightenment. Travelers may view ruins of the old city and spiritual sites such as the old Dhamek Stupa (a little Chinese Temple) and the Mulagandhkuti Vihara, which is a magnificent Buddhist temple with murals depicting the life of Buddha. Also in Sarnath is the Asoka Pillar with a lion capital, which has been adapted as the state emblem of the Republic of India. Sarnath is located only six miles north (10 km) of Varanasi.

Mount Kailas soars 22,028 feet (6,608 m) above the remote western Tibetan Plateau already high at 15,500 feet (4,650 m) above sea level. The sacred peak is situated far away from any life, in a sort of lunar landscape. Surrounding the lingim-shaped mountain is a pilgrimage route known as the kora, a 32-mile (52 km) path that circles the mountain. Prostrating themselves on the ground along the way, pilgrims have come to Kailas for thousands of years to behold this profoundly spiritual place. Most come to walk the kora route. The biggest challenge of the trek is crossing the 18,300-foot (5,490-m) Dolma La Pass. Stupas, icons and prayer flags from several faiths adorn the kora on the outer slopes of Kailas. Both Hindus and Buddhists consider a pilgrimage to Mount Kailas as the highest point of a spiritual life. Kailas represents Asia's most sacred mountain to millions of faithful adherents of several religions. Festivals abound year-round at Mount Kailas. Perhaps the most prominent celebration is the spring full-moon festival honoring Buddha's birthday, enlightenment, and death. Drumming through the night, Khumba monks chant and dance under the silver glow of the moon, joined by those from other religious persuasions. As all faiths merge into one while under the white domed power of Kailas, an ongoing drama of renunciation and revelation continues as it has for thousands of years.

The 11th-century Tibetan saint Milarepa spoke of this peak: "The prophecy of the Buddha says, most truly, that this snow mountain is the navel of the world, a place where the snow leopards dance.”Just over the border from India, Mount Kailas is the source of four great rivers: the Karnali (Ganges), the Indus, the Sutlej and the Brahmaputra. All four rivers flow down from the lofty heights of Kailas like a giant mandala extending thousands of miles into the Indian seas. Many spiritual seekers believe that Mount Kailas represents the crown chakra of the earth. At the base of the mountain are two lakes, one shaped like the moon and one like the sun. From the solar lake flow the four rivers in four directions. Mount Kailas is one of the most traveled pilgrimage routes for Hindus, Bon Po, Jains, Buddhists and hearty travelers of all nations. Several well-trodden routes coming from all directions are well known by native Tibetans and relocated Chinese people. The sacred peak is known alternatively as the holy"Mount Sumeru"or"Meru.”Tibetans call the mountain Kang Rimpoche, meaning"precious jewel of the glacial snows.”From afar, the snow formations on the top of the mountain resemble a palace, complete with icy domes and turrets. Pilgrims wishing to walk the kora route around the mountain must travel on foot over high and desolate terrain for five days. Altitude sickness is more of a rule than an exception. Prepare for extremely cold weather and a lack of basic necessities, including shelter, food and fresh water.

Brian Oslen, Sacred Places Around the World: 108 Destinations
CCC Publishing (2001) pp. 85-6