5. SRI KAILASA NATHAR TEMPLE TIRUKKAYILAAYAM (MOUNT KAILASH)

Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam	272nd Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam)
Region	Vada Naadu
Vada Naadu	5th Shiva Sthalam
Pathigam	Saint Thirugnanasambanthar, Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar) and Saint Sundaramurthy (Sundarar)

HISTORY:

The Tibetians refer to Kailash as Kangrimpoche (Jewel of Snow). Kailash is also referred to as Hemakootam. This is one of the 4 Tevarastalams in the Himalayas the other three being Gowrikund, Kedarnath and Indraneela Parvatam. Major rivers have their source around the Manasarovar lake and Kailash.

Pilgrims go to Kailash via the Lipu Lekh pass. They first go to Tonakpur, then through Pithorgarh, Askot and Dharchula and Garbiang the last town in Indian territory. The Lipu Lekh pass is 16750 feet above sea level, and is at the Tibet frontier. Pilgrims then reach Taklakot, a Budhist center. Manasoravar is 34 miles away from here. 12 miles from Taklakot in Bhutan, is Kocharnath. An alternate route to Mansarovar is via Kathgodam, Karpot, Milon, Tirthapuri and Kailash. Yet another route is from Haridwar via the Niti pass.

The Mansarovar lake is known as Cho Mapan. There are two lakes here; one the rakshasa tal, where Ravana performed penances towards Shiva, and the other the Mansarovar, considered to be one of the 51 Sakth Peethams.

Mount Kailash is located 20 miles from Mansarovar; it appears like a giant Shivalingam placed in a 16 petaled lotus. Pilgrims first reach Darchin, and then start their 32 mile pradakshina or circumambulation around the sacred mountain. From Darchin, they proceed to Landifu, then Derfu, and then in a north east direction to Gowrikund 19000 feet above sea level. Gowri Kund in Tibet is known as Thuki Singbu.  Then they go to Jandalfu and come back to Darchin. There are several Buddhist temples in this area.

Tirunavukkarasar on his way to Kailasam is said to have been  transported by divine intervention to Tiruvaiyaru - Dakshina Kailasam. Karaikkal Ammaiyar is said to have trekked to Kailasam and returned to Tiruvalangadu. Sundaramoorthy Nayanar is said to have travelled to Kailasam on a white elephant, while his contemporary Cheraman Perumal Nayanar of Tiruvanjaikkalam composed Tirukkayilaya Gnana Ula at Mt. Kailash. Sambandar sang praises of Kailasam from Sree Kalahasti.   Kailash is the fifth of the Tevara Stalams hailed by the Tamil hymns of the Nayanmars, located outside of Tamilnadu/Kerala/Karnataka i.e. in Vada Naadu (the northern lands).

Mt. Kailash is regarded by Hindus as an embodiment of Shiva and Parvati. The Buddhists refer to the sacred mountain as Kangri Karchchak; they regard the presiding deity of Mt. Kailash as Deity with three eyes, holding the damaru and the trishul; his consort is referred to as Dorje Fangmo. The Jains regard Mt. Kailash as the Ashtapada mountain where the first Tirtankara Adinath (Rishabhadeva) attained nirvana.

SALIENT FEATURE:

·        The towering 22028  ft high peak Mt. Kailash in the Himalayas, 25 miles north of the Mansarovar lake is hailed as the abode of Shiva.

·        It is an arduous trek to Kailash through the snow clad Himalayas and is attempted only by a few.

TEMPLE INFORMATION:

Moolavar	Sri Kailasa Nathar, Sri Shiva
Ambal	Sri Parvati
Theertham	Ganga, Brahmaputra,Sutlej, Kamali, Manasarovar, Rakshastal, Indus Theertham
Sthala Vriksham	-

BELIEF:

Dipping in the river ganga, river brahmaputra, river Sutlej, river kamali, river indus gives salvation for devotees and also will cure from all incureable diseases, relief from past sins and mistake.

TEMPLE FESTIVAL:

Tamil Month	English Month	Festival Name
Maasi	Feb-Mar	Maha Shivrathri

HOW TO REACH:

The first, and easiest route, is to fly from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu to Lhasa Gonggar International Airport in Tibet, and then follow the overland route from Lhasa to Kailash.

TEMPLE ADDRESS:

Sri Kailasa Nathar Temple,

Tirukkayilaayam (Mount Kailash),

India.

LOCATION: