Kailash Love: Transformative Steps Around the Sacred Mountain
Some places you choose to visit. Others summon you—quietly, completely, without explanation.
The Himalayas were never on my travel list. I hadn’t researched it, planned for it, or dreamt of its high-altitude embrace. But I guess they were always the deepest desire of a force beyond me, waiting patiently for the right time. One day, it whispered through a silence I hadn’t fully understood then. That whisper became a call. And that call… became a pilgrimage.
In 2024, I embarked on a sacred journey unlike any other: a 16-day pilgrimage to complete a 52-km circuit around the mystical Mount Kailash, the holiest unclimbed peak on earth, during the auspicious Saga Dawa period. I travelled across the vast landscapes of Tibet, tracing the paths walked by sages and seekers for millennia. I carried with me a longing for a deeper and more magical connection with myself, with my life, and with the divine.
Heaven and Earth
Known as the cosmic axis connecting heaven and earth, Mount Kailash is part of the remote Trans-Himalayan region of western Tibet. Unlike Everest’s fame for conquest, Kailash’s power lies in its mystical aura. A peak untouched by ego or a climb to its summit. Revered in Hinduism and other religions, it is considered the abode of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, a special site of unparalleled energy.
The pilgrimage route around Mount Kailash, known as the kora, is a 52-km trek through high-altitude terrain, including the famous Dolma La Pass at 5590 m. Even though it is surrounded by pristine landscapes, the path is harsh and its altitude is punishing. However, the real climb of the inner transformation is immeasurable, as it is believed to erase the karmas of multiple lifetimes when one completes the kora.
Call of the Mountain
Throughout the years, I faced trials in every sphere—health, relationships, career—where hope felt like a distant concept.
After a spiritual trip to India in 2023, a voice within me said, "Go to Kailash." Something within me knew that this mountain wanted me home, to comfort me. They say Lord Shiva calls you to Kailash when you are ready (and he rarely calls anyone). When that call comes, resistance dissolves, and one must go no matter what.
I'm an urban walker, but not much of a trekker. I didn't even prepare for this trek. But I was determined to fulfill the universe's wish, and that was enough. And somehow this trip was made possible for me, against all odds. I found the Tibet Vista company and signed up for its 16-day tour across Tibet.
Spiritual Prelude
With the guidance of Tibet Vista, our journey unfolded like an ancient story—each chapter revealing something profound. Every stop introduced us to the land’s spiritual essence. We began in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, a city surrounded by deep-rooted traditions and devotion. I was in awe as we explored the following:
- Potala Palace, where history's crown stood still among sacred palace halls
- Jokhang Monastery, where its UNESCO site embodies the authentic Tibetan culture
- Sera Monastery, where knowledge is acquired by monks who engage in debates
- Everest Base Camp (north one on the Tibet side), where tales of human endurance and nature's untamed grandeur are found
On our journey towards Kailash, our bus glided through winding roads that were veins of wisdom stretching through the heart of Tibet.
These moments were more than travel hotspots—they were planting seeds of something big yet to come. Tibet began to prepare me—not for a trek, but for a transformation.
Onset of Transformation
And then came the long-awaited moment. Mount Kailash stood before us—draped in snow yet commanding in presence. The Saga Dawa festival brought colour and joy, a Tibetan celebration of Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and death. Drums echoed through the valley. Prayer flags fluttered like excited birds. Mantras rose to the clear blue skies.
The kora began at Yam Dwar, known as the 'Gate of Death', where one must leave their egotistic attachments behind. When I touched the bell, I knew that I could no longer look back on my life. The past had now vanished, and a rebirth had started.
The trails were brutal, not only physically but emotionally. On the first day of the kora, my nose was running nonstop. I had to pause every 15 minutes, gasping for breath. I was the slowest one in the group. I was frustrated. At one point, I cried for 10 minutes straight while praying to the universe because I was afraid I wouldn’t make it.
Then, grace arrived in multiple ways. A young couple from our tour stayed by my side and helped me raise my energy to new heights. A nurse in the group gave me glucose, which was pivotal for my trek. Lastly, without knowing me, local Tibetans rescued me by offering their hands and kind smiles throughout the kora.
In those acts of compassion, I began to ascend—not just the mountain, but my own limitations. And, Kailash was peeling away everything in my mind that was false, such as self-doubt. Then, something inside me broke open with a realization. I can do this. I was doing this. All it took were my noble intentions and, more importantly, my pure heart.
Touch of Divine
Motivated to have the rare opportunity to touch Mount Kailash, I hiked up for 4 hours through snow-covered, rugged plateau. Despite the freezing weather and my aching body, I reached the base of the mountain.
There, I placed my palms on the sacred mountain. In that moment, I felt like everything disappeared, leaving a stillness that whispered timeless truths. Kailash was happy to see me, as I was too. And I knew I was extraordinarily blessed.
Touching Kailash is said to bring profound transformation, elevating one's spiritual state. I felt energy pulsing through me—divine and healing. I felt weightless, almost like flying, on my way back to the guesthouse. Something had definitely shifted inside me forever. I had become part of this mountain in ways that I can never imagine or describe in words.
Heartfelt Realization
The third day on the kora was the hardest: 22 km of rocky, icy climb through Dolma La Pass, the highest point of the kora at 5590 m. The air grew thinner, the cold stung deep, and the steep slopes stretched my limits.
When I reached this spot, I saw thousands of colourful prayer flags dancing in the wind. I sensed the answering of the wishes and vows found in each of these flags. Later on, I glimpsed Gauri Kund, the Lake of Compassion, symbolizing protection and purity, shining like a pearl on earth.
We walked not as tourists, but as seekers. Some walked for redemption, while others walked for release. I wasn’t just walking a path—I was walking through a deeper self within and letting go of things that no longer served me. Every step afterwards became lighter, as I turned my exhaustion into surrender. Each breath slowly became a beautiful chant. At that moment, I was not just a woman on a trek—I was someone connecting to a special version of me that I hadn't met yet.
Completion's Celebration
On the final day of the kora, I walked as if in a trance, absorbing the panoramic views of natural beauty that encompassed the Kailash. I was happy to see yaks, casually strolling while wearing bells with meditative sounds. I also saw people prostrating their way around the entire kora—an act of faith I deeply admired and respected.
When we returned to the village of Darchen, someone pointed out a street sign bearing my name. I was stunned. At that moment, I knew with certainty that Kailash was my home. I had finally arrived home.
Mirror of the Soul
Before heading back to Lhasa, we made a stop at Lake Manasarovar, the highest freshwater lake in the world, believed to cleanse lifetimes of karmas. It reflected the sky so perfectly, I couldn’t tell where earth ended and heaven began. As I dipped my feet into its icy waters, something special stirred within me. Perhaps, I was going through a final round of soul purification for this trip, leaving me with a clean slate.
Power of Pilgrim Fellowship
Though this was an inward journey, I wasn’t alone. With locals and friends from the tour, we weaved a bond that will last forever. These people I met—their compassion, courage, and vulnerability—became part of my transformation, my village. We shared:
- Meals and stories under wide Tibetan skies
- Hours of laughter and tears of struggle
- Spiritual revelations and uplifting devotion
They cared for me like family when I was at my lowest during the kora. In those human connections, I discovered that spirituality wasn’t just solitude—it was shared humanity to help reveal our true selves.
Gifts of Kailash
Countless awakenings in sixteen days. This trip was the most humbling, life-altering experience of my life. The raw beauty of Tibet, the intense transformation during the Kailash kora, and the camaraderie with fellow trekkers from around the world. I went seeking answers and aid. I came back with newfound appreciation for the divine power of nature and the human spirit.
Kailash is not a destination. It is a teacher, a mirror, a portal.
Upon completion of the tour, Kailash immediately removed everything that was not right for me—unnecessary concerns, old painful narratives, and layers of illusions. And in return, it gave me something greater. Clarity and peace. Creative inspiration. New doors have opened for me. My soul is too grateful for everything Kailash has done for me so far, and will continue to do for me in the future.
I pray that this post flickers inspiration for you to do the impossible. You are meant to awaken. And to those feeling the call for something, such as a special mountain like Kailash, I say: don't question it, just go. Let it strip you bare. Let your pure soul meet you there. Let it bless you immensely. Let its love be carried into every breath of your core being.
Because in the end, Kailash doesn’t just welcome you—it transforms you for the better. 🏔️💙
For more info on this tour that I did: https://www.tibettravel.org/tibet-tour/kailash-saga-dawa-festival-tour.html
WATCH YOUTUBE VIDEO
We have created a video where you can see these photos in a video on our YouTube channel below.
#Kailash #MountKailash #Kora #Tibet #Pilgrimage #SpiritualJourney #TibetTravel #SagaDawa #Travel #LordShiva