The Himalayas: A Mystic’s Viewpoint
Himalaya literally meaning the abode of snow. Apart from being a geographical entity, it has in various ways shaped the life and culture of South Asian people. Comprising of nine highest peaks in the world, this awe inspiring range has been an object of veneration for people and epitomizes the concept of sublime beauty.
The Himalayas are bordered on the north by the Tibetan Plateau, on the south by the Indo-Gangetic Plain, on the northwest by the Karakoram and Hindu Kush ranges, and on the east by the Indian state of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh. The Himalayas span five countries: India, Nepal, Bhutan, China (Tibet), and Pakistan, with the first three countries having dominion over most of the range. …show more content…
He descended to the earth in ten different forms (avatars) to preserve righteousness in the world. The Himalaya has done the same: Mountains reincarnate to preserve the planet's 'right environment' for life. This Vishnu-Himalaya parallelism has mythological beauty and richness. In Hindu mythology, Himavat is the personification of the Himalayan Mountains. He is the father of Ganga, a heavenly river that flew from the toe of Vishnu, but which was brought down to the earth to purify the ashes of the dead. The site where the Ganges enters the plains of northern India is called Haridwar (the gate of Hari or Shiva); in ancient times, people also called it Ganga-dwara (the gate of …show more content…
The towering 22028 ft. high peak Mt. Kailash in the Himalayas, 25 miles north of the Mansarovar Lake is hailed as the abode of Shiva. It is an arduous trek to Kailash through the snow clad Himalayas and is attempted only by a few. The Tibetans refer to Kailash as Kang Rinpoche (Jewel of Snow). Kailash is also referred to as Hemakootam. This is one of the 4 Tevarastalams in the Himalayas the other three being Gowrikund, Kedarnath and Indraneela Parvatam.
Mount Kailash appears like a giant Shivalingam placed in a 16 petaled lotus. Pilgrims first reach Darchin, and then start their 32 mile pradakshina or circumambulation around the sacred mountain. From Darchin, they proceed to Landifu, then Derfu, and then in a north east direction to Gowrikund 19000 feet above sea level. Gowri Kund in Tibet is known as Thuki Singbu. The pilgrim go further to Jandalfu and come back to Darchin. There are several Buddhist temples in this
Himalaya literally meaning the abode of snow. Apart from being a geographical entity, it has in various ways shaped the life and culture of South Asian people. Comprising of nine highest peaks in the world, this awe inspiring range has been an object of veneration for people and epitomizes the concept of sublime beauty.
The Himalayas are bordered on the north by the Tibetan Plateau, on the south by the Indo-Gangetic Plain, on the northwest by the Karakoram and Hindu Kush ranges, and on the east by the Indian state of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh. The Himalayas span five countries: India, Nepal, Bhutan, China (Tibet), and Pakistan, with the first three countries having dominion over most of the range. …show more content…
He descended to the earth in ten different forms (avatars) to preserve righteousness in the world. The Himalaya has done the same: Mountains reincarnate to preserve the planet's 'right environment' for life. This Vishnu-Himalaya parallelism has mythological beauty and richness. In Hindu mythology, Himavat is the personification of the Himalayan Mountains. He is the father of Ganga, a heavenly river that flew from the toe of Vishnu, but which was brought down to the earth to purify the ashes of the dead. The site where the Ganges enters the plains of northern India is called Haridwar (the gate of Hari or Shiva); in ancient times, people also called it Ganga-dwara (the gate of …show more content…
The towering 22028 ft. high peak Mt. Kailash in the Himalayas, 25 miles north of the Mansarovar Lake is hailed as the abode of Shiva. It is an arduous trek to Kailash through the snow clad Himalayas and is attempted only by a few. The Tibetans refer to Kailash as Kang Rinpoche (Jewel of Snow). Kailash is also referred to as Hemakootam. This is one of the 4 Tevarastalams in the Himalayas the other three being Gowrikund, Kedarnath and Indraneela Parvatam.
Mount Kailash appears like a giant Shivalingam placed in a 16 petaled lotus. Pilgrims first reach Darchin, and then start their 32 mile pradakshina or circumambulation around the sacred mountain. From Darchin, they proceed to Landifu, then Derfu, and then in a north east direction to Gowrikund 19000 feet above sea level. Gowri Kund in Tibet is known as Thuki Singbu. The pilgrim go further to Jandalfu and come back to Darchin. There are several Buddhist temples in this