Kailash Manasarovar Yatra: A Sacred Dream Come True

For six long years, I had waited; it was almost an excruciating wait, marked by tears, prayers, and deep yearning, to someday stand on the shore of the sacred Manasarovar Lake, and look across with wonder and reverence at the sacred abode of Lord Shiva, Mt Kailash. It was a dream that had played countless times in my mind, I was never sure when it would come true … and the yearning, helplessness, and pain were so intense that finally I stopped thinking when or how it would ever materialise. I just surrendered, knowing that it is only Mahadev’s will and compassion that will make my Kailash Manasarovar Yatra come true.

On July 5th, 2025, when I had the first darshan of the distant white peaks of Mt Kailash, across the dark waters of Rakshas Tal, my eyes welled up with deep gratitude, for I knew that my being here was no less than a miracle, orchestrated by Mahadev himself. I am sure that my co-pilgrims and a few thousand other Indians who had got the blessed opportunity to go on Kailash Manasarovar Yatra in 2025, after five long years, would have also felt the same.

Our Kailash Manasarovar Yatra started from Lucknow on July 2nd, 2025, morning. By afternoon, we had crossed over to Nepalgunj via the Rupaidiha land port on the India-Nepal border. At Nepalgunj, our stay was at the Soaltee Westend Premier hotel, an upscale property located amidst serene green fields. That very evening, we received a detailed briefing about the Yatra, along with the precautions we needed to take, and the necessary dos and don’ts. We were also given a strip of Diamox tablets, which we had to take every day to lessen symptoms of altitude sickness.

The next day, early morning, we headed to Nepalgunj airport to catch our flight to Simikot, in the Humla district of Nepal. Located at a height of 9,246 ft above sea level, Simikot is a small village in the higher Himalayas that has been, since ancient times, a key gateway for Kailash Manasarovar Yatra. It is not uncommon for flight operations to be delayed or suspended here due to the fluctuating weather of the upper Himalayas. Our group of 40 also had to wait at Nepalgunj airport till early afternoon for the weather to clear at Simikot, before we could board our respective flights.

The small aircraft operated here by various airlines are generally 15-seaters. My Summit Air flight was comfortable, and the highlight of the 55-minute flight was, of course, the astounding views of the Himalayan ranges.

Our guest house, Humla Resort, was located next to the picturesque Simikot airport, and we stayed here for a night to get acclimatised to the higher altitude. The next morning, the chartered helicopter of Mountain Heli started transferring us in batches to Hilsa, from where we had to cross over the Karnali river bridge to reach Taklakot in Tibet. Two luxury buses awaited us here to transfer the group to the Chinese immigration centre. Contrary to many troubling stories that we had heard, it was a smooth immigration process for the whole group, and we were delighted to see that even the biometric system communicated in Hindi.

Taklakot, also known as Purang in Tibet Autonomous Region, is at a distance of just about 90 km from Manasarovar. Purang is at an altitude of approximately 12,795 feet, and we stayed here the night for further acclimatisation before our exciting journey ahead. Himalaya Purang Hotel is one of the best properties in this small town with nice rooms and picturesque views.

A few elderly ladies in our group had already started feeling the effects of high altitude, and each one of us was given a portable oxygen can, just in case we needed the same.

The next day was the most important for us as we were all looking forward to reaching Manasarovar Lake and having darshan of Mt Kailash. Interestingly, the first view of Kailash we saw was from across Rakshas Tal. Most people are well aware that there are two lakes here – a freshwater lake, Manasarovar, and a saltwater lake, Rakshas Tal. The latter is so saline that no fish, aquatic flora, or fauna can survive in its dark waters. It is believed that the demon king Ravana had done penance here to please Shiva, and it lies to the west of Manasarovar Lake.

As the bus stopped near Rakshas Tal, I stepped out with others, careful not to get too close to the still dark blue waters of the lake. My eyes had just one focal point, the not-so-distant white peaks of Kailash. As tears welled in my eyes, my heart felt full. There was nothing else for me to desire; the only thing that I had longed for was coming true.

From then onwards, Kailash was never away from our view as we headed towards Manasarovar for the approximately three hours of parikrama around the lake. My gaze would rarely leave the peak of Kailash, as I wanted to imprint these moments in my heart for as long as I lived.

Following the parikrama, we got off the bus. The waters of Manasarovar shimmered as if countless stars were dancing on the surface. It was a surreal experience, and I could tangibly feel the divinity of the environment.

Taking a bath is not allowed in Manasarovar, and our Tibetan guide also told us to avoid dipping our feet in the sacred lake. Sitting on the shore, cupping the sacred waters in my hand, I offered it to the deities, my lineage of Gurus, and my ancestors, before pouring it on my head. I knew very well that it was the infinite blessings of the divine, my Guru and my ancestors, who had brought me to Kailash Manasarovar and made me experience the inexplicable beauty and divinity of the place.

That night, we stayed in Manasarovar at the luxurious Hot Spring Hotel, which is mostly frequented by trekkers from China. We felt truly blessed that even the restaurant in this hotel faced Kailash, and while having our lunch, tea, and dinner, our eyes and our hearts were focused on Shiva’s sacred abode.

A puja was organised for us the next morning, following which we headed to Darchen. Located at 15,321 feet, this is the start and concluding point of the parikrama. Our stay here was at the Himalaya Kailash Hotel, which is the only premier accommodation available in this small village, and we came across many Indian groups here. There are a few good souvenir shops across from the hotel, where pilgrims can buy stuff for themselves and people back home. The best part of Darchen is that Mt Kailash towers over the village, and is visible from everywhere – whenever you are stepping outside the hotel, crossing the street, or shopping.

Our group here got split into two – those opting to stay in Darchen or those eager to go for Kailash Kora … either half-parikrama till Dirapuk or full-parikrama till Zuthulpuk. I was not confident I could do the arduous 52 km / three days trek, so I chose to be in Darchen, and focus on doing more nama japa and meditation here itself.

The next morning, our whole group went to Yam Dwar and the trek starting point, where ponies were sorted for those going for parikrama. Yam Dwar, also known as ‘Gateway of the God of Death’, is a small temple-like structure that one has to enter, leave a personal object/cloth there, and exit from the other side. This is a symbolic representation of leaving our worldly attachments and focusing on our spiritual life ahead. The South face of Mt Kailash can be seen closely from Yam Dwar.

Fifteen of us started our return journey to Lucknow the next day. We were planning to reach Nepalgunj on July 8th, but flight operations were suspended in Simikot due to bad weather, so we had to stay there an additional night. The minor challenges of our journey were, however nothing compared to that faced by many other groups whom we had met, some whose 9 days trip got extended to 16 days, either due to delay in visa processing, or lackadaisical services provided by their tour operators as a result of which they were unable to board their flights from Simikot. Some would go to the airport every day and got turned back, while other groups were prioritised.

The Yatra itself is a complex process, and the most important thing is to select a reliable tour operator who is a specialist and has excellent ground handlers in Nepal and Tibet. I am glad I went with Chennai-headquartered Praxis Holidays LLP, which ensured excellent care and priority services at all locations, at every stage. On July 9th evening, we were back in Lucknow.

An important learning for me is that Kailash Manasarovar Yatra is not an external pilgrimage, but the beginning of a deeper spiritual quest within. The Yatra made me realise that this inner journey will be extremely tough, but when we completely surrender, wiping out everything illusory from our lives, Shiva will bless us with his constant presence. We will experience our True Self, which is none other than Shiva himself. And that very day, our inner Kailash Yatra will be complete. Shivoham.

Important info:

How to reach: Drive from Lucknow to Nepalgunj (about 188 km); flight from Nepalgunj to Simikot followed by helicopter ride to Hilsa; walk across Karnali river bridge to Purang in Tibet; by road to Manasarovar and Darchen.

Accommodation: Soaltee Westend (Nepalgunj); Humla Resort (Simikot); Himalaya Purang Hotel; Hot Spring Hotel (Manasarovar); Kailash Himalaya Hotel (Darchen). Those going for parikrama stay at guest houses in Dirapuk and Zuthulpuk.

Tour operator: Praxis Holidays LLP is a specialist in organising Kailash Manasarovar Yatra. Contact details: 9566166444 (Mr Vanchi). Email: contact@praxisholidays.com

(Sudipta is an energy healer and mystical storyteller. Her collection of short stories ‘Invoking Our Inner Goddess’,’ Mystical Tales Of Sacred Earth’, ‘The Blue God’s Love’, and ‘Enchanted Waters: The Magical Flow Of Life’ are available worldwide on Amazon Kindle.)