As much as it is true that Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is once in a lifetime experience, it is also a fact that completing Mount Kailash Yatra isn’t easy and come with its own share of hardship. Now, by mentioning this I am certainly not discouraging anyone from undertaking the tour of Lord Shiva’s abode. It is a dream of millions of people but there are certain things that you really need to keep in mind. I have already shared about some of the challenges that I encountered on my journey of Mount Kailash Yatra but in this blog, I thought of sharing the mistakes that I did at Kailash Mansarovar Yatra which almost costed me my life at the Lord Shiva’s abode.
Before I write more about it, let me also mention the fact that I realised about them pretty much later as I was pondering over my experience of completing the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra because these mistakes are really basic and something which most of us will definitely overlook. Therefore, it is a request that you read this blog till the very end and understand what I am saying
I walked around the highest commercial town of China during Kailash Mansarovar Yatra: The town of Saga, the second stop after crossing the China-Nepal border, on Mount Kailash Yatra route is the highest town where maximum pilgrims fall sick on their journey of reaching the Lord Shiva Abode. You must be wondering why I am saying so. For those unaware, the first town that you will enter after clearing the Chinese immigration from Nepal is Kyerong which is at an altitude of 10,000 feet and Saga is at a height of over 14,000 feet, which means there is a steep elevation gain that a pilgrim undertake on the second day after entering the Chinese territory during Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.
But, the reason of falling sick is an immediate movement that people might take after reaching Saga. Quoting from my personal experience of Mount Kailash Yatra, I was feeling absolutely fine just when I reached Saga. Infact, it was two of my team members who fell sick and in helping them I made constant movements due to which I developed mild headache and started feeling dizzy. Thankfully, I realised my mistake on time and got to my room to take rest. So, here is a thing that you need to keep in mind when you will reach Saga:
- Don’t Walk or Run. No matter how healthy and fine you are feeling
- Go to your room. Drink ample water and sleep which will help your body to acclimitise better
Infact, those who have completed the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra earlier will tell you that the maximum pilgrims who fall sick at the abode of Lord Shiva, is at Saga and not at Mansarovar lake or Kailash Parikrama. Another thing that you need to take care is to make sure that your travel agent with whom you would be booking your Kailash Mansarovar Yatra tour, should include Keyrong as the first destination after crossing China-Nepal border. There are a few agents who will skip this small border town of China and will take you directly to Saga which can hamper your health. Please take care of this
Taking my Fitness for granted during Mount Kailash Yatra: If you haven’t read my earlier blogs on Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, let me tell you that I was confirmed to go to Mount Kailash Yatra at the very last minute which meant that I has close to two weeks to prepare myself for Lord Shiva’s abode. Now, let me be really honest with you. I have heard the stories of people falling sick on the terrain of Mount Kailash which was bothering me and I called up a friend to discuss who have completed the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra earlier. Since, I am in Yoga she told me that with my basic level of training I will be able to pull it off.
But, as I write this let me tell you that never take fitness granted especially if you are planning for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, simply because the terrain here is rough. You need a basic fitness training of over 60-90 days before you come for Mount Kailash yatra. I have already shared my fitness tips on how I prepared myself for the lord Shiva’s abode but take it seriously. I did face fitness issues at Mount Kailash
No Physical exercise during Kailash Mansarovar Yatra: Honestly, if you ask, I consider this to be one of my stupidest mistakes because I actually went for a running in Thaklakot. Thaklakot is an administrative town in China where pilgrims on Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, taking a Helicopter ride from Hilsa will opt for a stay. Though at a lower elevation compared to the other main towns on the route of Mount Kailash, I took a small run as I was acclimatized after spending three days at Mansarovar Lake.
But, it actually resulted in headache after which I was actually advised to hydrate myself and sleep. The learning that I took from here is don’t indulge in any kind of physical exercise on the terrain of Mount Kailash because you never know how it is going to impact your body. You need to be really cautious
But, let me confess as well that these were the experiences that if I sit to reminisce today make me laugh for the stupidest things that I did at Kailash Mansarovar yatra. I guess it is going to be my memories that will make me cherish my journey of Mount Kailash even more.
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