Yatras have been a part of the Indian spiritual ethos since time immemorial. India's ancient lore says that even the Saptarishis, the seven celestial sages, made a pilgrimage to the Himalayas over fifteen thousand years ago to receive the sacred teaching of yoga from Shiva - the Aadhi Yogi, or first yogi. Since then, millions of devotees have made arduous journeys to the powerful spaces in the Himalayas to imbibe the mountains' grace and energy.
Many great beings from Agastya to Adi Shankara have consecrated holy sites across the length and breadth of these mountains. Kedarnath - the most significant of the Panch Kedar temples, Gupt Kashi - the seat of a very powerful Linga, Badrinath - the temple of Lord Badrinarayan or Vishnu, Gangotri - the glacial origin of the sacred Ganga, and Uttarkashi, or North Kashi, are among the holiest sites of pilgrimage. A Himalayan Dhyan Yatra to these places is of tremendous significance to every human being's spiritual growth.
The Indian Government has made significant improvements to the road and travel conditions in these once hard to reach places. The resultant increase in tourist inflow has led to a boom in the tourist industry in the towns of this region. Today, a pilgrim headed to these mountain places can easily find hygienic food, safe drinking water and clean, comfortable accommodation. That said, the Himalayas are still a growing mountain range and landslides which block roads for a week are not unheard of. So it is always a good idea to plan out your Himalayan Dhyan Yatra with a few days to spare and pack accordingly.
On the other side of the Himalayas, situated in Tibet - the roof of the world - is Mount Kailash, the mythological abode of Shiva, and Lake Manasoravar, the fabled Lake of Consciousness. The Kailash Manasarovar Yatra is considered the holiest of pilgrimages by the five major religions in this part of the world - Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism and Bon.
The most popular pilgrimage route to Kailash Manasarovar begins in Kathmandu, Nepal, travels through the otherworldly Tibetan landscape and journeys first to the holy Lake. Yatris frequently take a dip in its cold waters which are said to heal many ailments. The dip is an ideal preparation for the trek to the base of the sacred Mountain. The trek at an altitude of nearly 4,500 metres can be strenuous for the unprepared and unfit, so having a medical kit handy can be a great advantage.
Each religion has its legends about these two sacred sites, but the oldest and most prolific legends come from Hinduism. It was here that Ganesha was given his elephantine head. The mythology also speaks of celestial beings - yakshas, ganas, devas and kinharas who dwelt here with Shiva and Parvathi. In this place, considered by many to be the spiritual center of the Universe, who can say where myth ends and reality begins?
A pilgrimage is not just a journey to a distant place. The unwavering resolve and the uncomplaining countenance of the visiting pilgrims, signifies the highest expression of man's search for ultimate freedom - a freedom beyond all bondage.
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