WHAT ARE THE FIVE ABODES OF SHIVA (PANCH KAILASH) IN HINDUISM?SHIVA-17
- Chida nanda
- Aug 9, 2017
- 7 min read
THE FIVE ABODES;-
03 FACTS;-
1-Hindu Pilgrims seeking salvation and pay reverence to their lord. The 5 Kailash Yatras is perhaps one of the most significant as well as arduous calling.
2-The 5 Kailash Yatras entails long pilgrimages to 5 holy sites in upper reaches of Himalayas to seek the blessing of Lord Shiva who, as per the Hindu scriptures and legends, is supposedly reside on the holy mountain peaks.
3-Kailash Mounts,considered to be abodes of Lord Shiva.The others being are Kailash Mansarovar of Tibet, Adi Kailash of Kumaon, Kinnaur Kailash of Kinnaur, Shrikhand Kailash of Kullu and Manimahesh /Bhadra Kailash of Bhadarwah. DESCRIPTION OF THE FIVE DESTINATION KNOWN AS KAILASH;- 1- KAILASH MANSAEOVAR;-
03 POINTS;- 1-The celestial abode of Lord Shiva, Kailash is a sacred place for people of five faiths in the world. Mount Kailash is partially famous for its religious regions and partially for it has never been climbed with respect to Hindu and Buddhist religions. Kailash Mansarovar Yatra takes place in the months of May and June when out on thousands only a few are selected for going on the pilgrimage. 2-Mount Kailash is the most sacred peak of Asia, Located in the far west corner of Tibet. The beauty of the 6638 meters high peak, which looks like a symmetrical cone shaped ice, is echoed in various mythological and literary works. 3-The surroundings include the beautiful Mansarovar Lake as well as the huge Gurla Mandata which culminates at 7728 meters high. Every year, thousands of people circumambulate Mount Kailash on foot, which is considered as a holy ritual to bring fortune. The path around Mount Kailash is 52 kilometers long. 1-1-LAKE MANSAEOVAR;-
02 POINTS;- 1-Situated around 2000 kilometers from Lhasa, Lake Mansarovar is world’s highest freshwater lake. Also known as Lake Manas Sarovar in Sanskrit and Mapham Yutso in Tibet, this huge lake mirror the image of snow capped mountains in its crystal clear waters.
2-The lake is located at the southern foot of Mount Kailash, and stretches up to 55 miles. The Lake Mansarovar has exceptional beauty that varies from crystal clear blue water near the shores and a deep emerald green color at the center. 1-2-CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE OF MOUNT KAILASH;-
03 POINTS;-- 1-Mount Kailash is one of the least visited holy places in India. There are many monasteries and places of great importance on the route to Mount Kailash.
2-There are many stone carvings and other attractions for pilgrims. Most of the visitors take a dip in the Mansarovar Lake, which is located 18 miles away from the Mount Kailash.
3-Soaking your head in the holy water provides spiritual benefits and only the brave could survive in the icy water. 2-ADI KAILASH (OM PARVAT TREK ALSO KNOWN AS CHHOTA KAILASH );--
08 POINTS;- 1-Adi Kailash (also known as "Chota" or "Baba" or Little Kailash) is located in Indian Territory, in the Kumaun Himalaya, close to both the Tibetan and Nepali borders of India in the restricted inner line area, and is revered due to its similarity to the famous holy mountain of Kailash (Kailash-Manassarovar fame) in nearby Tibet. 2- This region is suffused with exquisite natural beauty, serenity and sovereignty. If you are tired of the continuous uproar of urban life, this place will treat you with calmness and composure. During Adi Kailash trek in the Kumaon Himalayas, you will come across the massive snow clad peaks of Annapurna, the cascading Kali River, dense forests and Narayan Ashram full of wild flowers and rare vegetation of fruit gardens. 3-Then there is Gauri Kund, whose water is a reflection of the beauty of the mountain itself. Parvati Sarovar is another nearby water body. Also known as Mansarovar, Adi Kailash houses a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.... 4-It may be mentioned that There is some amount of confusion or ambiguity regarding the identity of Adi Kailash, even in international reference .
5-The Om Parvat mountain, with which Adi Kailash is often mistaken is a distinct entity, located near Nabidhang /Navidhang camp, along the Kailash- Manassarovar route.
6-Adi Kailash, on the other hand, lies in a different direction and is situated near the Jolingkong camp about 17 km from the Kutti village,,at sacred Jolingkong Lake with a Hindu Shiva temple,,, in fact, is at the base of Adi Kailash mountain 7-The Adi Kailash and the Om Parvat and are not one and the same. The Adi Kailash or Chhota Kailash is located in a different direction.. 8-Adi Kailash often make a diversion to view Om Parvat.
Om Parvat is located near Nabhi Dhang camp (Nepal) on Mount Kailash-Lake Manasarovar yatra route. 3-MOUNT KINNAUR KAILASH;-
05 POINTS;- 1-Located in the Kinnaur Valley of Himachal Pradesh, Mount Kinnaur Kailash is the holy abode of Lord Shiva. The trek is challenging and also rewarding for experienced trekkers. The region has got its name from the term ‘Kinner’, which are the angelic demi-gods of the Hindu pantheon.
2-As per Hindu mythology, the angels because of the region’s likeliness to heaven choose it for their wonderful gaiety and fun. The pass accessible on the trek is the Charang La at an altitude of 5300 meters. 3-Religious believes of Kinner Kailash .. Kinner Kailash has been described as Lord Shiva’s residing place in various hindu mythological stories. Believers of Lord Shiva consider this place to be most sacred. There are a number of interesting stories related to this place.
3-1-Kinner Kailash is also known as Vanasur. This is for the reason that there was a ruler in this place with the same name who ruled over Kailash under his dynasty. 3-2--According to another interesting description, this place was also known as Indraneel during the time of Mahabharata. It is said that this is the same place where Lord Shiva tested Arjun by calling him for war. When Arjun got to know that it was Lord Shiva who had called him, he decided to worship him and got his blessings in return.
3-3-It is also believed that the Pandavas spent the last days of their journey on the Kailash parbat. According to another story, Lord Krishna’s grandson Anirudha was married to Usha at Kinner Kailash. 4-The Miraculous Shivalinga situated in Kinnar is famous for a number of reasons. One such reason is that the Shivalinga changes its colour a number of times every day. Prior to sunrise, the Shivalinga can be seen white in colour. It then changes its colour to yellow as the sun rises and to red in the afternoon. As the sun starts to go west, the Shivalinga again turn yellow, then white and finally black in the evening. 5-The devotees witnessing this event are often spell bound. This is the reason why the Shivalinga is considered to be miraculous. According to scientists, the Shivalinga changes colours due to sun rays falling on the rock at different angles. According to them, the Shivalinga wont change colour if the skies are covered with clouds. 4-SRIKHAND KAILASH (AN ANOTHER ABODE OF KAILASH);-
05 POINTS;- 1-Located at a height of 5155 meters high, Srikhand Kailash is considered to be another abode of Lord Shiva. It lures climbers as well as religious devotees. There is a Shivalinga here.
2-Throughout the year, the snow falls thick and does not cover the Shivalinga. The Srikhand Peak is visible from the eastern side of the village. It is a part of the Great Himalayan National Park where the thick mountain forests and the high altitude meadows. 3-The rock-made shivalingam is around 70 feet in height and situated at an elevation of 19,000 feet above sea level. The yatra is steep and there is low oxygen on the top.
4-This pilgrimage tour is also popular as Srikhand Kailash Yatra in Himachal Pradesh. The dates for the yatra or pilgrimage are only between July and August and lasts for 15-20 days in a year. Guru Poornima is the eve when the yatra starts. The road to the peak remains closed after this period. Heavy snowfall and storms begin by the month of October. 5-Legend behind Srikhand Mahadev Yatra .. According to Hindu mythology, Bhasamasur did a hard penance and meditated for several years before the Mahadev or Lord Shiva became pleased with him.
5-1-When Bhasamasur tried to use the bhasama kangan (the invisible powder) on Lord Shiva due to his pride and ego, Mahadev vanished into a cave and later appeared on a hill top that is presently known as the Srikhand Mahadev Peak presently and the cave into which he had vanished is known as Devdank and is situated near Nirmand. 5-MANIMAHESH /CHAMBA KAILASH;-
07 POINTS;- 1-Mani Mahesh Kailash [Jewel (Mani) on Lord Shiva’s (Mahesh’s) crown] also called Chamba Kailash is one of the most revered amongst the Kailash Mounts . Located 26 kilometers away from Bharmour in the Budhil Valley, Chamba Kailash is one of the most important pilgrimage spots in Himachal Pradesh.
2-The lake is perched at an altitude of 13,000 feet at the foot of the Kailash peak. Every year, on the 8th day of the half moon in the month of ‘Bhadon’, a fair takes place at this lake. 3-It attracts thousands of pilgrims who assemble here to take a dip in the holy waters. According to the popular belief, Lord Shiva is said to roam here with his consort Parvati. Manimahesh is approachable from different routes. Pilgrims from Lahaul-Spiti come through the Kugti Pass. The easiest route is from Chamba and runs through Bharmaur. 4-A six day ‘Manimahesh Yatra’ with the sacred Chhari starts from the Laxmi Narayan temple and Dashnami Akhara in Chamba town on Radha Ashtami to the lake where the pilgrims take bath in the holy waters and circumambulate the lake three times as an act of reverence and for seeking blessings of the Lord Shiva. 5-It is believed that Lord Shiva shifted with Mata Parvati to Mani Mahesh (Chamba Kailash) after gifting his original Bhadar Kailash (Kablas) to Nagraj Vasuki. Hence Manimahesh is very sacrad to Bhadarwahis and thousands of devotees undertake the highly revered pilgrimage trek of Mani Mahesh during the month of Bhadon. The ‘Jaikara’ of Vasuki Nag is not complete without invoking blessings of ManiMahesh. Thus is a virgin peak... 6-Manimahesh Kailash PeakAccording to one legend, a local tribe, a Gaddi, tried to climb along with a herd of sheep and is believed to have been turned into stone along with the herd of sheep. The series of minor peaks around the principal peak are believed to be the remnants of the shepherd and his sheep. 7-Another legend narrated is that a snake also attempted to climb the mountain but failed and was converted into stone. Devotees believe that that they can view the peak only if the Lord wishes so. Bad weather covering the peak with clouds is also explained as displeasure of the Lord. .....SHIVOHAM.....
