India, China to resume Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. Why this is big

India and China have decided to resume the Kailash-Mansarovar yatra this summer.

The development comes during Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s visit to China, and over three months after the two countries negotiated an end to the military standoff at the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

The relevant mechanism will discuss the modalities for doing so as per existing agreements, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

Here’s a look at why Kailash Mansarovar is so significant.

Resuming Kailash Mansarovar yatra

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited Beijing on Monday for a meeting of the Foreign Secretary-Vice Foreign Minister mechanism between India and China.

Resuming the Kailash Mansarovar yatra is considered a significant step in improving relations between the two nations.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the yatra, which includes visits to Mount Kailash and Mansarovar Lake in Tibet, has been halted.

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In the wake of the ensuing tensions between Beijing and New Delhi after the pandemic, the Chinese side did not renew any deals.

The Galwan clash later only worsened the situation.

Significance of Kailash Mansarovar yatra

Kailash Mansarovar is regarded as one of the holiest mountains in the world.

This sacred mountain, which lies at the centre of the powerful Himalayas, survived over the centuries.

This holy peak is deeply religiously and spiritually significant to Tibetans, Jains, and Buddhists.

According to Tibetan belief, Mount Kailash, also called “Mount Meru,” is the cosmic axis that connects heaven and earth. As per legend, the mountain is also home to the mystical saint Demchock.

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Jainism holds that Rishabhanatha, the first Tirthankar (Jains’ spiritual preacher), found enlightenment at Mount Kailash. Mount Kailash is also referred to in Jain literature as “Ashtapada,” or “the eight steps,” which can pave the way to enlightenment and spiritual advancement, according to TripToTemples.com.

Standing tall at 21,778 feet, Mount Kailash is considered by Hindus to be the celestial home of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva, the destroyer in the Trimurti tradition. Many people believe that Shiva meditates at the top of Mount Kailash, and visitors have come to understand his presence there.

In addition to its very large shape, Kailash Parvat is also referred to as the “spiritual centre of the Earth.”

Further intriguing is the fact that planet Earth is divided into four sections by the four rivers that emerge from it: the Sutlej, Brahmaputra, Kamali, and Indus.

According to Hindu texts, Kailash Mansarovar Lake or Mansarovar Jheel, situated on the southern foot of Mount Kailash, was first visualised by Lord Brahma in his mind, after which it materialised on Earth.

The lake is said to be one of Sati’s 51 Shaktipeeths. According to Devi’s writings, Goddess Sati’s hands fell near the revered lake Mansarovar.

The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is much more than a simple spiritual pilgrimage; it represents the culmination of countless Shiva devotees’ longing for Mount Kailash Darshan and Lord Shiva’s grace.

The journey is thought to be the pathway to Moksha, or salvation.

At Lake Mansarovar, pilgrims frequently perform the “Kailash Kora” or “Kailash Parikrama,” which takes roughly two and a half to three days to finish.

Pilgrims are said to benefit from the ritual by experiencing wealth, renewal, and good fortune. However, because the mountain is revered in many religions, climbing it is officially forbidden.

The mystery

The sacred mountain is the subject of many unknown truths and mysteries.

Scientists who have been studying Kailash Parvat for years are fascinated by the mysteries, with NASA capturing satellite photos of the mountain showing Lord Shiva’s smiling look.

Several people have reported experiencing unusual hair and nail growth within 12 hours of arriving at Mount Kailash.

Its flawless pyramidal shape, which suggests a link to ancient civilisations, is thought to be the key to the riddle.

Plus, Mount Kailash’s untouchable state continues to be unclear.

In addition, a unique sound is produced when the snow melts in the summer. It is thought to be the sound of Lord Shiva’s dumroo.

Mending ties

At their October meeting in Kazan, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed the status of India-China bilateral relations and decided to adopt some people-centric measures to restore and stabilise relations.

Additionally, there was an agreement in principle to resume direct flights and visa issuance between the two countries.

Direct flight services between the two nations have resumed as a result of the meeting between the foreign secretaries; an updated framework for this purpose will be negotiated at an early date by the necessary technical authorities on both sides.

The resumption of hydrological data provision and other cooperation related to trans-border rivers will also be discussed at an early meeting of the India-China Expert Level Mechanism.

With inputs from agencies