The Potala Palace, named after Mount Potalaka, the mythical abode of the bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara was the residence of the Dalai Lama until the 14th Dalai Lama fled to India during the 1959 Tibetan uprising. It’s construction was started by the 5th Dalai Lama in 1645.The external structure was built in 3 years, while the interior, together with its furnishings, took 45 years to complete. The Red Palace contains the gilded burial stupas of past Dalai Lamas.

The White Palace contains the main ceremonial hall with the throne of the Dalai Lama. 698 murals, 10,000 painted scrolls, numerous sculptures, artefacts, and fine objects of gold and silver, as well as a large collection of sutras and important historical documents are preserved in The White Palace.

The Kailash Mansarovar region houses 3,300 caves, 40,000 ‘Tirath’ or sacred points, is the source of 14 rivers and the bathing place of the ‘saptrishis’. Lord Shiva is seated right in the centre of all this mysticism, at the peak of Mt. Kailash, also known as Mt. Meru, the source and centre of all existence.

Lake Mansarovar is believed to have been created by Lord Brahma as a reflection of the depth and power of his mind. ‘Manas’ in Sanskrit means mind and ‘Sarovar’ means Lake. The sacred Lake is an endless treasury of moods- In the morning the Lake is completely calm and quiet, appears to be meditating.
It’s ultimate value lies in its role as a symbol, a key unlocking for the hidden depths of consciousness which hold the ultimate treasure.

Between 3:00am-4:00am every morning seven shooting stars, like swift arrows dive into the moonlit waves of Lake Mansarovar. Legend has it that these are the Saptrishis descending every night to bathe in the divine lake.

Raksas Tal, the ‘Demon Lake’ is Mansarovar’s symbolic counterpart, representing the dark, hidden half of existence. Mansarovar and Raksas Tal embody the joining of opposite forces.
The Lake got its name from Ravana who performed severe penance at Raksas Tal to invoke Lord Shiva.

Gompa – ‘solitary place’ is the Tibetan word for Monastery, but traditionally gompas were much more than centres for meditation. They were the focus of worship, education, culture and art in Tibetan society.
At Kailash Mansarovar they had the added function of providing shelter for pilgrims.
Above is view of Mt. Kailash from the hilltop monastery of Chiu Gompa on the western shore of Lake Mansarovar.

The great fissure marking the southern face of Mt. Kailash appears as the vertical axis of a giant swastika. This becomes even more clear with the shadow that the setting sun casts on the revered mountain, considered by the devotees to be a homage paid by the Sun God to Lord Shiva.

At the beginning of the Kailash Parikrama is an archway through which pilgrims pass. This is called Yam Dwar beyond which God’s land begins and Yama, the God of Death, has no power.
The Pandavas are said to have walked through Yam Dwar on their way to swarga (heaven).

Dirapuk Gompa is built in a setting to awe the spirit: caves cut into the rock cliffs behind it once housed hermits and meditators

Of all the views of the holy Mt. Kailash, this is the most awe-inspiring, visible from Dirapuk.

North face of Mt. Kailash shot at 3:00a.m in moonlight at Diraphuk.

Just to see Kailash is a blessing; to circumambulate the mountain once is said to erase the sins of a lifetime.

The whole Kailash region has emerged as a temple compound with Mt. Kailash as the sanctum sanctorum. Nature has moulded the landscape and infused it with truly unusual features. Pilgrims witness each representation connected with Lord Shiva in the Kailash region. There is Ganesh Parvat, Shesh Naag, Nandi Parvat  and many other such naturally existing members of the Shiv Parivar.

Just like all temples have a flag, the Kailash Dhawaja. which is only seen on the second day of the parikrama, is a permanent, natural flag atop one of the mountains in the Kailash region.

Brilliant prayer flags greet pilgrims at Dolma La, the pass of redemption where the pilgrim is said to be reborn.
Prayer flags are tied to ropes strung from the Dolma Stone, believed to represent Goddess Tara who is the essence of the Buddhist deity Avalokiteshvara’s love and kindness.

With every flutter, prayer flags release their blessings to the wind.

The Tibetan prayer flags are printed with auspicious prayers, and the image of the ‘Wind Horse’ which carries on its back the flaming jewel that grants all wishes. Hindu pilgrims carry prayer flags with an image of ‘Pavansut Hanuman’.

Descending from the Dolma La, pilgrims file past the green waters of ‘Gaurikund’ or Lake of Compassion which at 18,400ft is among the highest lakes in the world.
Goddess Parvati is believed to have bathed here on the eve of Mahashivratri before her wedding to Lord Shiva.

On the last day of the circumambulation, the pilgrims leave the eastern valley and enter the vastness of the Barkha Plain, soaking in the inexplicable energy of the Kailash Region long after the revered mountain is visible.

When the earth of Mansarovar touches anyone’s body, or when anyone bathes in the lake, he shall go to the Paradise of Brahma, and he who drinks its waters shall go to the heaven of Shiva and shall be released from the sins of 108 births. Even the beast who bears the name of Mansarovar shall go to the Paradise of Brahma. It’s waters are like pearls. (The Ramayana)