Which is the best time to visit Kailash Mansarovar by land?

When you have decided to go on the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, there are a few things you need to know about it. Mount Kailash is located in western Tibet and reaching it can be a treacherous and tough trek. The best time to go as recommended by the Ministry of External Affairs is between June and September. 

Not an easy Mount Kailash trek to go on

If you decide to go to Kailash Mansarovar by land, you are setting yourself up for a long and arduous trek which will involve a lot of physical activity on your part. There are big perks if you go on the Yatra this way considering the majestic beauty you get to witness on the trek and while traveling by transport. It is true that going by helicopter has become popular in recent years because of its easy availability made possible by many private tour operators, but a huge number of people do it by land. Mount Kailash sits at an altitude of 19,500 feet and since it is a part of the Trans-Himalayas, you can expect freezing and rough weather there. That is why this Yatra is considered to be one of the most difficult pilgrimages one can go on.

Best time to visit Kailash Mansarovar

Whether you go on the routes conducted by the Ministry of External Affairs or with a private tour operator, you will most likely have to go in the months between June and September. This is the time when the weather of the region is the best and also when there is the least chance of landslides and natural calamities happening. The MEA-conducted Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is scheduled in batches of pilgrims who wish to go and they are always given dates during this time of the year because of the relative safety.

Understanding the religious significance of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra

Mount Kailash has been mentioned in many ancient Indian texts as the heavenly abode of Lord Shiva. It is believed that he meditates on the mountain and lives there with his divine consort Goddess Parvati. Hindus consider the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra as one of the most sacred pilgrimages they can make. They believe that a ‘parikrama’ of the mountain and a dip in the calm waters of Lake Mansarovar will strip them of all the sins they may have committed in their past lifetimes. Many believe that those who return from the Yatra do so as new persons because the journey and all that it brings them face to face changes them forever. If salvation and redemption are things that your heart desires, then this is the journey you may want to do at least once in your lifetime.

Tips on doing the Manasarovar Yatra by land

Here are a few things you need to know:

• Length of the tour: If you have decided to do the Yatra by land, the length of the tour will be longer than if you do it by helicopter. It is going to take you anything between 10 and 23 days to complete the Kailash Yatra depending on which route you choose and who you go with. 
• Must-have things to pack: There are a few things you must absolutely carry with you on the Yatra. A walking stick, a windcheater, multiple number of woolen and cotton socks, a very good winter jacket, innerwear, multiple layers of clothing, good-quality warm trousers, sunglasses, sunscreen, calamine lotion, anti-fungal powder, moisturizer and hot water bottle are some things you won’t be able to do without. It is important to also note that you should not carry any unnecessary things because a lot of the journey will have to be done by trekking and you will be responsible for your own luggage. So carry only the most essential of things.
• Start an exercise regimen: It is crucial that you are your fittest self when you are starting the journey. That is why starting an exercise regimen at least 3 months before the starting date is essential. Walk, jog, run, swim or do something that increases your stamina. If you are insistent on doing the ‘parikrama’ of Mount Kailash, you must know that it is a trek that is 52 KMs long. It is important also that you try to be as active as possible in your life so that you can do the trek easily. Try to climb steps and avoid the escalator as much as possible. All this will go a long way in making you fitter than you are.

The best way to start your Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is without expecting anything and being ready to receive the blessings of Lord Shiva. Go with a clean slate and you will certainly have memorable moments to cherish all your life.