Kailash Mansarovar Yatra During Tibetan Year of Horse 2026 ‘Mahakumbh of Kailash’

In a rare celestial event, 2026 is going to be the most auspicious year for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and Kailash Parvat Parikrama, as 2026 is the Tibetan ‘year of the Horse’ or the Tibetan Horse Year.

Kailash Parvat and Lake Mansarovar, which are a popular pilgrimage site not only for Hindus, but Buddhists, Jains, and Bons as well, are considered to be the Mandala or centre of the Universe according to Tibetan ideology. As per beliefs, Mount Kailash will be transformed into a nucleus of positive energies and blessings during the year of the horse, bringing in abundance and prosperity. 

Scroll down to learn more about the spiritual significance of the horse year in the Tibetan calendar and why Kailash Mansarovar Yatra should be on top of your 2026 travel bucket list. 

Significance of the Tibetan Horse Year 2026

Did you know that each new year brings a unique energy, believed to impact the life of every individual according to the Chinese Zodiac?

However, 2026 is the year of the horse, a rare celestial event occurring once every 12 years, creating a divine yet powerful coincidence for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, similar to the Mahakumbh of India. According to the Chinese zodiac and the Tibetan calendar, the year of the horse occurs after every 12 years, in which every year is represented by each of the 12 animals: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig, with horse being the seventh of the Zodiac year. Each of the designated animals brings exclusive energy, and those born in the horse year are believed to possess admirable qualities such as independence, Charisma, high spirit, and courage. The years are also associated with elements like Earth, Fire, Water, Air, and Space. 

The last Horse Year was celebrated in 2014, and the year 2026 is especially considered the most sacred because it will be the Fire Horse Year, occurring once every 60 years, according to the Chinese Zodiac. The Fire Horse Year will begin on the 15th of February 2026, marking an auspicious time for Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimages.

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2026 in the Tibetan Year of the Horse

Many believe the fire year of the horse is the birth period of Buddha Sakyamuni, along with a coincidence when Milarepa (a Buddhist spiritual poet, and the only person believed to have climbed the top of Kailash Parvat) climbed Mount Kailash during this time. Since the animal ‘horse’ symbolizes courage and progress, the year of the horse extends blessings to the pilgrim with physical strength, determination, and power to perform the parikrama of Mount Kailash. All these events together make 2026 the holy year for parikrama and the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra simultaneously. 

Horse Year 2026 is the Mahakumbh of Kailash! Here’s why 

If you missed the Prayagraj Mahakumbh Mela of 2025, here’s another chance of attending one alike- the Mahakumbh of Kailash.

Yes, the Tibetan Horse Year of 2026 is no less than a Mahakumbh celebrated in Prayagraj every 12 years; the Tibetan Year of the Horse is also observed every 12 years. As per Vedic astrology, the planet Jupiter takes 12 years to orbit around the sun, which marks the arrival of the Mahakumbh Mela, the most auspicious Hindu pilgrimage event. 

In a similar occurrence, the Tibetan and Chinese calendars are also based on the 12-year cycles. Interestingly, the Chinese calendar and Chinese Zodiac pilgrimage are also based on the lunar cycle; they also correlate with the 12-year revolution of Jupiter around the Sun, which is similar to the 12-year animal cycle found in both the Chinese and Tibetan calendars. 

Such a celestial alignment of planets amplifies spiritual progress and transforms the cosmic universal energies into a powerhouse of positivity due to a specific planetary alignment in space. Talking about the religious benefits of parikrama, the merit of performing Kailash kora in the Tibetan year of the horse gives 13 times higher merit than performing it at any other time of the year.

How Significant is Kailash Mansarovar Parikrama for Buddhists and Hindus in the Year of the Horse? 

As you know that one parikrama performed during the horse year is the same as 13 koras in any other time of the year. Promisingly, blessings during this year are multiplied 13 times, marking an auspicious time for parikrama of Mount Kailash while also ushering in good luck and abundance to the lives of pilgrims. The cosmic energies of Mount Kailash are boosted due to this holy event for observing prayers and rituals at Lake Mansarovar and Mount Kailash. 

During the time, Hindus and Buddhists perform the inner Kailash Kora after completing 13 outer Kailash koras. For Hindus, one outer parikrama of Mount Kailash is equivalent to the Maha Kumbh Mela held once every 12 years. For Buddhists, one outer parikrama is the same as 13 parikramas in the fire horse year. Parikrama of Kailash Parvat is performed in the clockwise direction for Hindus, and, exceptionally undertaken in an anti-clockwise direction by Tibetan pilgrims.

Apart from this, pilgrims also take a ritual walk around Namtso Lake, located between the Damxung County of Lhasa and Baingoin County of Nagqu Prefecture in Tibet, holding immense significance in the horse year.

Popular routes to reach Mount Kailash during the Horse Year 2026?

Yamdwar/Darchen, being the starting point of the Mount Kailash darshan, you can spot the Karnali River during parikrama, divided into two parts- inner parikrama and outer parikrama.

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra by helicopter from Lucknow (11 days)

The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra by helicopter from Lucknow is an 11-day Yatra starting from Lucknow, from where you’ll be driven to Nepalgunj for an overnight stay. The itinerary moves, taking a flight from Nepalgunj to Simikot and then reaching Hilsa via helicopter, followed by an overnight stay at Purang. Here you can buy gallons for storing holy water from Mansarovar Lake. After a 2-hour drive to Mansarovar Lake Parikrama, reach Darchen (the base for Mount Kailash Parikrama) for a 2-day Parikrama of Mount Kailash, where you’ll visit Gauri Kund and Shivasthal. The yatra completes with the Kailash Kora; proceeding further, take a return journey via Purang, Nepalgunj, to Hilsa, and then back to Lucknow.

Overland Kailash Mansarovar Yatra by bus (11 Days)

Our representative will pick you up from Kathmandu airport, followed by Kathmandu sightseeing (Pashupatinath Darshan, Jal Narayan Temple, and Boudhnath Stupa). Afterwards, take a drive to Dhunche or Syabrubesi, including a night stay there, for the next day transfer to Rasuwagadhi for the immigration and customs formalities for exiting Nepal and entering Tibet, followed by a visit to Kyirong County. The next day, you’ll be driven to Dongba/Saga up to Mansarovar lake for the parikrama (2-3 hrs). Reach Darchen the next day for a 2-day parikrama of Mount Kailash. On 1st day, you get to observe the North Face of Kailash, and visit Dolma la pass, Zuthulpuk, Shivasthal, and Gauri Kund on the 2nd day of parikrama. After parikrama, you’ll drive to Donga/Saga, followed by the Kyirong border and then back to Kathmandu.

Kailash Yatra by helicopter from Kathmandu (14 days)

Arrive at Kathmandu Airport, from where our guide will pick you up, followed by a visit to Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, and an overnight stay there. Get a flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj for a stay and catch a flight to Simikot the next day of your yatra. Followed by a helicopter ride to Hilsa, you’ll be driven to Purang for acclimatization. At Purang, you can shop for necessary items; start your journey to Mansarovar Lake in the AC Volvo category bus (2 hours), then proceed to Parikrama at Mansarovar Lake. After parikrama of Lake Mansarovar, reach Darchen for a 2-day parikrama of Mount Kailash. On the 1st day, you’ll see the North face of Mount Kailash, and on the 2nd day, you’ll visit Dolma la Pass, Zuthulpuk, Shivasthal, and Gauri Kund. From here, you can see the eastern face of Kailash. After completion of the Kailash Yatra, take a return journey and reach Purang, to Hilsa, Nepalgunj, and Kathmandu. Take a flight back home from Kathmandu.

If you want your Kailash Yatra to be completed quickly and hassle-free, choose our top pilgrimage package: Kailash Aerial Darshan. It’s a mountain flight journey and open to all age groups, with no VISA & permit required for the Yatra, which can be completed in only 3 days. You can enjoy the aerial views of Mount Kailash from a chartered mountain aircraft.

What is the best time for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in 2026?

Wondering when to visit Mount Kailash? Well, the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra starts in May and goes on till October 

May- June and September- October: The weather remains pleasant during these months. Whereas pilgrims usually visit during the summer season, as it’s an ideal time for the Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar Yatra, which pleasantly supports parikrama and trekking in the region.

December- February (months to avoid): It’s recommended to avoid the winter season, as it may hinder your Kailash Mansarovar Yatra with heavy snowfall and road blockage.

Note: A huge crowd of Tibetan pilgrims also visits Mount Kailash during the famous Saga Dawa festival, which marks the celebration of the birth and enlightenment of Buddha Sakayamuni. You can visit Mount Kailash between May and June (28th May - 25th June, 2025) on the occasion of the Saga Dawa festival. 

Ready to embark on the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra? You can count on us with everything, from planning to the execution of your trip. Get in touch with our travel experts at +91-8510007751 to learn more about Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in 2025 and 2026.

FAQs: 

1. When will the Tibetan Horse Year start?

Ans. The fire year of the horse will be observed from 17th February in 2026.

2. How is the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in the Horse Year significant?

Ans. The animal horse associated with 2026 brings courage, strength, and independence, making it an ideal time for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. 

3. Why should I visit Kailash Mansarovar during the year of the horse? 

Ans. The Parikrama performed during the horse year is the same as 13 koras performed in a year, making it an auspicious time for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.

4. When should I visit Kailash Mansarovar in 2026?

Ans. May to October is the ideal time to visit Kailash Mansarovar in the Tibetan Year of the Horse in 2026. Additionally, you can visit during the Saga Dawa festival, the biggest Tibetan festival in 2025.