India and China on Monday decided to resume the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, stopped since 2020.
India, China Decide To Resume Kailash Mansarovar Yatra
India and China on Monday decided to resume the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, stopped since 2020. The decision was made at the meeting between foreign secretary Vikram Misri and Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi.
“The relevant mechanism will discuss the modalities for doing so as per existing agreements. They also agreed to hold an early meeting of the India-China Expert Level Mechanism to discuss resumption of provision of hydrological data and other cooperation pertaining to trans-border rivers,” a statement by the ministry of external affairs stated.
Both sides also agreed in principle to resume direct flights. India and China also agreed to promote and facilitate people-to-people contacts, especially between media and think tanks. Post-Covid, there was no renewal of arrangements by the Chinese side amid prickly relations between Beijing and New Delhi. The situation escalated after the Galwan clash.
At their October meeting in Kazan, Chinese President Xi Jinping and PM Narendra Modi discussed the status of India-China bilateral relations and decided to adopt some people-centric measures to restore and stabilise relations.
Significance of Kailash Mansarovar yatra
Kailash Mansarovar is regarded as one of the holiest mountains in the world.
This sacred mountain, which lies at the centre of the powerful Himalayas, survived over the centuries. This holy peak is deeply religiously and spiritually significant to Tibetans, Jains, and Buddhists. According to Tibetan belief, Mount Kailash, also called “Mount Meru,” is the cosmic axis that connects heaven and earth. As per legend, the mountain is also home to the mystical saint Demchock.
Jainism holds that Rishabhanatha, the first Tirthankar (Jains’ spiritual preacher), found enlightenment at Mount Kailash. Mount Kailash is also referred to in Jain literature as “Ashtapada,” or “the eight steps,” which can pave the way to enlightenment and spiritual advancement. Standing tall at 21,778 feet, Mount Kailash is considered by Hindus to be the celestial home of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva, the destroyer in the Trimurti tradition. Many people believe that Shiva meditates at the top of Mount Kailash, and visitors have come to understand his presence there.
In addition to its very large shape, Kailash Parvat is also referred to as the “spiritual centre of the Earth.” Further intriguing is the fact that planet Earth is divided into four sections by the four rivers that emerge from it: the Sutlej, Brahmaputra, Kamali, and Indus. According to Hindu texts, Kailash Mansarovar Lake or Mansarovar Jheel, situated on the southern foot of Mount Kailash, was first visualised by Lord Brahma in his mind, after which it materialised on Earth. The lake is said to be one of Sati’s 51 Shaktipeeths. According to Devi’s writings, Goddess Sati’s hands fell near the revered lake Mansarovar.
The Mystery
Scientists who have been studying Kailash Parvat for years are fascinated by the mysteries, with NASA capturing satellite photos of the mountain showing Lord Shiva’s smiling look. Several people have reported experiencing unusual hair and nail growth within 12 hours of arriving at Mount Kailash. Its flawless pyramidal shape, which suggests a link to ancient civilisations, is thought to be the key to the riddle.
