On a higher plane

The tranquility of Mount Kailash and Mansarovar Lake has time and again attracted innumerable devotees to go on a soul searching pilgrimage. But it was Congress President Rahul Gandhi’s recent visit to Kailash-Mansarovar that got everyone talking once again about the divine trip. 

“The waters of Lake Mansarovar are so gentle, tranquil and calm. They give everything and lose nothing. Anyone can drink from them. There is no hatred here. This is why we worship these waters in India,” wrote Rahul Gandhi on his Twitter account while posting two pictures from his trip. Meanwhile, for some city dwellers, a visit to Mansarovar is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity while for others, even five visits seem less. 

A surreal experience
I had read so much about Mount Kailash over the years that I finally undertook a solo trip to the place. Although people had described it as surreal, it was only when I experienced it myself that I understood what they meant. I was so overwhelmed by the beauty of the place and the sense of spiritual awakening brought tears to my eyes. It wasn’t just about God, it was the vibe of the place. The flowing and clear waters of the river will forever remain in my mind. I felt a divine power guiding me throughout my journey. It’s no easy task to do a parikrama of the Kailash because the altitude is high and it can get tricky to breathe despite all the precautions you take. I am happy that I managed to do it.— Revathi Velampati, admin officer

Being close to the nature feels great
It was a mesmerising experience, one has to undertake the journey to completely understand it. Though it might be tough and one might not even believe in God, the divine connection overshadows everything else. If we follow the rules and guidelines to the ‘T’, we can actually finish the journey without much hindrance. I loved the feeling of staying in a tent and being close to nature.
— Pooja Pratap Kansal, Homemaker

Something pure about the place
I was very skeptical of finishing the almost two-week long spiritual trip to Mansarovar but it was only with the blessings of our guru that I was able to complete it. The terrain was challenging with low levels of oxygen, but once I was there with my 240-odd group members, it was a divine experience. When I finally reached after climbing and walking for a long stretch, I cried with sheer happiness and devotion. There’s something pure about the place. But the one thing that caught my attention was that there were cameras placed all over the mountain for security reasons.
— Reshma Jain, Entrepreneur

Every visit teaches a unique different lesson
I have been to Mansarovar five times till date and the experience is different each time. My first experience is still clearly etched in the mind, even though it was ages ago. I remember picking up stones on which I saw images of Gods and getting them back home. Another time, I saw four people dying right in front of me and that’s when I decided to do something for the pilgrims who visit. I took up the initiative to develop the place with friends and the Chinese government. Today, there is an airport, hotels, roads and even an oxygen plant. All these will not only help the people but will also help to generate income.
— Vinod Poddar, Industrialist

Out-of-the-world experience
The journey to the top was tough but overall it was a beautiful experience. Seeing Lake Mansarovar’s clear, serene, blue waters is an out-of-the-world experience. People generally plan for years before going there, but we planned for about two months before we packed our bags and hit the road.
— Vishnu Priya, Homemaker

Faith kept us going
Not only is the location beautiful but the entire experience of the parikrama gives me goosebumps till date. When we went to Mansarovar, it was raining and snowing but our faith in Lord Shiva kept us going. All the challenges and hurdles were well worth it!
— Aruna Thummala, Entrepreneur