The pilgrimage to kailAsh – mAnasasarovar through the Indian side is organized by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) along with other agencies like the Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN). All those who would like to go on pilgrimage to kailash have to apply subsequent to the call for applications published in leading dailies in the month of February. The pre-requisites is a valid Indian passport. (Money – about Rs. 55,000 and health of course). If the passport is not ready, still “applied for” also may get considered.

But it is mandatory to have one before the start of the yatra. From the applicants on random lottery type of selection the yatris are chosen for the pilgrimage. The yatra is conducted in 16 batches, each batch having a maximum of 36 yatris. The yatra season starts in early June and the last batch starts the pilgrimage as late as end of August. The chosen applicants for each of the batch are informed in advance. (Sometimes yatris should be ready to start just in a week’s time after getting the notification.)

On receipt of the selection notification, the applicant must confirm the yatra by telegram to the ministry and follow it up by sending a Demand Draft for Rs 2,000 favoring KMVN. If an applicant declines to take the offer or fails to pay the amount in time, the applicants on the waiting list would be considered for the yatra.

Though some more devotees applied along with us for the yatra, finally it was only two who undertook the pilgrimage. (While there is a good possibility that one could get selected for the yatra, the devotees should not loose heart if they are not selected. At times it may take time. Even if not got selected, should be prepared to apply for the yatra the next year.) Before starting the yatra it is required that the medical fitness tests suggested in the information booklet sent by the Ministry of External Affairs need to be completed.

These reports are pre-requisites for the medical clearance for the yatri at indraprasta (delhi). One should take enough of warm clothing and other materials as detailed in the booklet sent by the MEA. The yatra will be an enjoyable and memorable one, if there is fair medical fitness and due care is taken as suggested in the information brochure. Of course Grace of the Supreme is the most essential for a great experience during the yatra. So apart from all these physical preparations one should mentally prepare for the greatest yatra. Praying God is the known way to get Its Grace.

From the application filling time one could start doing prayer everyday till the completion of the yatra. This is a vrata for the most sacred yatra. It would be required for the yatri to be present in indraprasta three days before the actual yatra commences so that the medical tests and the visa formalities can be completed.

It is because of Kailash – Mansarovar, which is 865-kms from Delhi, that Kumaon is sometimes called “Manaskhand”. Many myths are associated with this unusual mountain and lake. The Buddhists, the Jains and the Bonpas of Tibet too, all revere this spot with great fervour and devotion. Therefore, it is not surprising for a devotee to come across the worlds “Om Mani Padme Hum” (“Hail to the jewel (of Creation) in the Lotus) written on stones and taken from Buddhist scriptures.

The Bonpas make an anti-clockwise pilgrimage around Mt. Kailash whereas the believers of the jain faith specially visit astpaad near the southern face of Kailash in the Kailash –mansarovar region.

Among the thousands of deities of Hinduism, Lord Shiva is the most beloved and the most sort after lord. Lord Shiva finds a great place in the heart of all devotees be it the Human beings, the Devataas or the Rakshasaas.

He is even called Bhola Baba because of his uniqueness of being simple and he grants whatever the devotee asks for. This is the reason why he is having a large following in all the 3 worlds of Akash, Bhumi, & Patal. Bhola Baba filled with Vairagya (dispassion) is a joy of all spiritual seekers.