There is no denying that Mount Kailash Yatra is a magical place, which hides plethora of stories, which we used to hear during our childhood days. I mean if I come to talk about it, there are no end to those mystic tales that you find around Mount Kailash trek. I guess this is the reason which makes the journey of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra even more fascinating. Walk through any corner of Lord Shiva’s abode at Mount Kailash and I can guarantee you, that you are bound to find a tale hidden. Seriously, if I come to think of it, never in my dreams would I have imagined that I am going to actually live through some of these mysterious tales during my journey of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. I presume this is the reason that people say that Travel is the best teacher one can really have in their life. This might sound unreal but I never thought that there would be a day when I would travel to such far off places like Mount Kailash, where resides the Lord Shiva in the state of meditation. Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is a mythological bliss and I am more than happy about it
Why you shouldn’t bath in Rakshastal during Mount Kailash Yatra
Rakshas which means Devil and Tal meaning the lake. Rakshastal is believed to be originated through the demon king Ravana around Mount Kailash, while he was mediating around the abode of Lord Shiva, to impress the god to grant him special powers. It is when he made Rakshastal, where he would sit and pray to Mount Kailash Mahadev. Those unaware, the reference King Ravana is in Ramayana, where he is said to kidnap the wife of Lord Rama: Devi Sita. It is this act of his, which made Ravana of Lanka a demon king.
It is due to its association with the demon king Ravana, Rakshastal has never looked upon as an auspicious lake and pilgrims coming for Mount Kailash trek are often discouraged to neither take a bath or drink water from this lake. It is said that with the touch of the water of Rakshastal, a pilgrim might attract a bad luck or an omen and therefore, it is not advisable to even get close to it on Kailash Mansarovar Yatra
But, scientifically researchers have claimed that it is infact the salty nature of Rakshastal at Mount Kailash which makes it undrinkable and there are no water bodies in it. The touch of salt water on a human body is bad. But, there is also a lesser known tale which says that Ravana while on his way to Mount Kailash, crossed Gauri Kund where he saw Parvati from a distance. It is only after he created Rakshastal and took a dip in it that he started feeling for her.
Few stories also claimed that when he met Lord Shiva, Ravana also asked for Parvati, which infuriated the god in return. They claimed that it might have been the nature of water at Rakshastal that Ravana felt so, despite no intention of his. This lesser known belief has also become a reason to discourage people from taking a bath in Rakshastal during Mount Kailash Trek.
Why you shouldn’t take a bath in Gauri Kund, despite being a Holy Pond during Mount Kailash Trek?
On the second day of Mount Kailash Parikrama, you shall come across this gorgeous emerald coloured pond which belongs to the wife of Lord Shiva, Parvati. Known as the Gauri Kund of Mount Kailash, it is believed to be the personal space of Goddess Parvati, where she used to take bath. Infact, it is said that it is at Gauri Kund that Goddess Parvati created Lord Ganesha, using the sweat of her body. This is the reason why she is called the creator herself
There is a strong belief among the pilgrims coming for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra that a dip or splash of water of Gauri Kund on the head, heals them. But, there are also stories that suggests to avoid it. It is a popular belief with people that Goddess Parvati still visits Gauri Kund at Mount Kailash and a personal space shouldn’t be occupied or touched. Honestly, I would also discourage everyone from taking a dip in Gauri Kund since the place is over a height of 17,000 + feet and cold enough that a person can fall sick easily. There is a lot of precaution that should be taken during the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra
But, while I write this blog and share few lesser know tales of Mount Kailash, I will still say that whatever are the realities of these mysterious stories that are associated with Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, one thing is for sure that Mount Kailash and Lord Shiva never leaves a chance to keep us intrigued with these fascinating tales
Have you ever heard these stories of Kailash Yatra? Let me know in the comment section below
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