One of the five famous abodes of Lord Shiva, the 6,050 m Kinner Kailash, is an extraordinary mountain symbolising the confluence of two major religious faiths of the tribal regions of Himachal Pradesh.
Kinner Kailash is an important religious place for Hindus and Buddhism. Kinner Kailash is a symbol of faith for Hindus. Kinner Kailash is located near the Tibet border in Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh. Kinner Kailash is situated on the top of the mountain, whose height is approximately 40 feet and the width is about 16 feet. In Hindu religion, this khand is worshiped as Lord Shiva’s natural Shiva Ling. There is also Parikrama of Kinner Kailash, which is one of the pilgrimage pilgrimages to the Himalayas for Hindus.
The Himalaya Mountains are not only related to Hindu mythology, but it also has a deep attachment to the belief of Hindu society. This is the same Himalaya from where the origin of the river Ganges is originated from Ghumukh. Kullu, the valley of the Gods, also comes in the same Himalayan range. There are more than 350 temples in this valley. Travel to Kinner Kailash is considered as difficult as traveling to Mansarovar and Amarnath. This journey begins every year in the month of Savan. It takes about 2 to 3 days to complete the journey. This visit has been opened for tourists since 1993. During the journey, flowers of Brahma Lotus can be seen in thousands of thousands. This flower is very much like Lord Shiva.
According to Hindu mythology this place is associated with Lord Shiva and Parvati. It is believed that the meeting of Lord Shiva and Parvati has happened in this place.
It has been said in mythology that Lord Shiva organized the Deities and Gods assembly on Kinner Kailash Peak in every winter. Every year, hundreds of Shiv devotees travel in the month of July and August through the inaccessible route to Kinner Kailash. In order to start the journey of Kinner Kailash, devotees have to cross the Sutlej river and reach Tangling village from Powari, located on National Highway-5, about seven km from the district headquarter. Parvati Kund is about five hundred meters away from Ganesh Park. There is a belief about this Kund that if the coin is cast from reverence, it will be fulfilled. Following the holy bath in this kund, after passing a rough 24-hour hard journey, the Kinner can see the Shiva at Kailash.
One feature of this Shiv Ling of Kinner Kailash is that it changes color several times a day. White before sunrise, yellow after sunrise, red before sunset and it becomes black after sunset.
There is a lack of oxygen during travel. Keep warm clothes, torches, stick, socks, bottles of water, glucose, and the necessary medicines with you. Do not drunk during the trip. Do not harm the herbs and especially the cosmic flowers during the trip.
Rising precipitously from the banks of the Sutlej, the commanding mountain encompasses narrow valleys, deep gorges and captivating alpine pastures. The Shivlingam atop the mountain, formed by a rocky cliff, is a manifestation of the supreme power and a hallowed place of worship for the believers. It is believed to be the place where Lord Shiva stays for his annual winter sojourn At times even experienced climbers struggle to reach the top but the devout somehow keep moving, as if under a charm, oblivious of the hazardous terrain and the difficulty of the task at hand. The spiritual aura of the abode of Lord Shiva and the unflinching belief of the devotees elevates their spirits impelling them to undertake the daunting pilgrimage year after year.
The trek to the holy mountain takes off from the left bank of the Sutlej. The river can be crossed either by using an improvised ropeway or by taking a longer route, using a bridge located a few kilometres downstream. Once on the left bank, one has to gear up for a long and strenuous climb all the way up to the sacred monolith. The climb begins from Tangling village and is a draining affair right from the start, with about seven or eight hours of continuous ascent up to the base camp.
There are no easy stretches on the way and the gradient is relentlessly steep. Although the uphill journey is not an easy one, the ever-changing but spectacular views that keep unfolding more than make up for the physical toil. As the altitude increases, the flora and fauna changes, dense forests gradually make way for relatively sparse bushy vegetation, marking the end of the tree line. Thereafter, the high-altitude flowering plants and lush green meadows with protruding rocks greet the trekkers. Brahma Kamal, the most revered plant of high altitude of the Himalayas is found at places en route beyond 13,000 ft. The plant with the botanical name Saussurea Obvallata grows naturally in the area. It is known for its medicinal properties, besides its religious significance.
As the climb becomes steeper, the terrain is dominated more and more by rocks and only some grassland are visible in patches. The fascinating landscape has a deep impact on the mind, virtually pushing the climber into a state of trance. The eerie sound of the gushing winds kissing the rocks literally provides for a “top of the world” feeling. The experience becomes all the more real when climbers reach Ganesh Park, the site of the base camp, where a natural cave welcomes the tired and exhausted pilgrims. Visible at a short distance is an extremely precipitous patch of the trail to be followed, providing a glimpse of the daunting climb ahead. Many a time the faint-hearted armatures, unable to conquer their fear of heights, turn back, just shy of the base camp. Perhaps the most comforting part of the ascent up to Ganesh Park is a well-marked trail which eventually disappears into a maze of rocks and boulders.
The base camp presents an aerial view of the district headquarters “Reckong Peo” and the picturesque “Kalpa” village on the face on the mountain across the valley. The scale of the climb can be gauged from the fact that Reckong Peo, as seen from Ganesh Park, appears to be at a significantly lower altitude. The terrain from the base camp transforms into a confusing yet a beautiful high-altitude valley, skirted by steep rocky peaks on both sides. First-time visitors usually have a difficult time digesting the view accompanied by the violent and explosive sound of avalanches and falling rocks that can be heard at a distance every once in a while.
The Parvati Kund, a sacred water body en route to the lingam, is an assurance to the pilgrims that they are on the right path. However, the trail takes on a whole different level from thereon, as trekkers have to cover an almost vertical climb to reach the destination.