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Mount Kailash Photo Gallery - Lake Manasarovar Kora

Lake Manasarovar Kora - drive around Lake Manasarovar - Seraling Gompa, Trugo Gompa, Lake Rakshas Tal, Chiu Gompa, Darchen

01 First View Of Mount Kailash With Prayer Flags We crested a small hill and a prayer flag festooned pole welcomed us to the first view of Mount Kailash.

01 First View Of Mount Kailash With Prayer Flags

02 First View Of Mount Kailash With Prayer Flags The first view of Mount Kailash occurs after cresting a small hill.

02 First View Of Mount Kailash With Prayer Flags

03 First View Of Mount Kailash Close Up Mount Kailash first view close up.

03 First View Of Mount Kailash Close Up

04 Gurla Mandhata From First View Of Mount Kailash Gurla Mandhata (7728m) shines to the south from the crest of the small hill for the first view of Mount Kailash.

04 Gurla Mandhata From First View Of Mount Kailash

05 Lake Manasarovar And Sangthang and Peaks Of Indian Himalaya From First View Of Mount Kailash The Indian Himalaya stands above the blue waters of Lake Manasarovar seen from the crest of the small hill that has the first view of Mount Kailash. The tallest peak on the left is Sangthang (6480m) situated on Indo-Tibet border.

05 Lake Manasarovar And Sangthang and Peaks Of Indian Himalaya From First View Of Mount Kailash

06 Lake Manasarovar And Peaks Of Indian Himalaya From First View Of Mount Kailash The Indian Himalaya stands above the blue waters of Lake Manasarovar seen from the crest of the small hill that has the first view of Mount Kailash.

06 Lake Manasarovar And Peaks Of Indian Himalaya From First View Of Mount Kailash

07 Tea Break At Hor Qu Near Lake Manasarovar We descended to Hor Qu to have some tea before starting the Lake Manasarovar Kora.

07 Tea Break At Hor Qu Near Lake Manasarovar

08 Seralung Gompa With Lake Manasarovar And Gurla Mandhata From Hor Qu we drive the Lake Manasarovar Kora, following dirt roads around the lake and stopping at monasteries en route. Our first stop on the Kora was Seralung Gompa at the northeast corner of the lake.

08 Seralung Gompa With Lake Manasarovar And Gurla Mandhata

09 Lake Manasarovar With Mount Kailash From Seralung Gompa Here is Lake Manasarovar with Mount Kailash on the horizon from Seralung Gompa.

09 Lake Manasarovar With Mount Kailash From Seralung Gompa

10 Mount Kailash And Lake Manasarovar From Seralung Gompa Mount Kailash close up across Lake Manasarovar from Seralung Gompa.

10 Mount Kailash And Lake Manasarovar From Seralung Gompa

11 Lake Manasarovar With Gurla Mandhata From Seralung Gompa Lake Manasarovar stretches out to the southwest from Seralung Gompa with Gurla Mandhata beyond.

11 Lake Manasarovar With Gurla Mandhata From Seralung Gompa

12 Gurla Mandhata And Lake Manasarovar From Seralung Gompa Gurla Mandhata (7728m) close up across Lake Manasarovar from Seralung Gompa.

12 Gurla Mandhata And Lake Manasarovar From Seralung Gompa

13 Seralung Gompa Outside On Lake Manasarovar Kora Seralung Gompa is the first gompa we visit on the Lake Manasarovar kora.

13 Seralung Gompa Outside On Lake Manasarovar Kora

14 Seralung Gompa Statues Inside On Lake Manasarovar Kora Seralung Gompa on the northeast corner of Lake Manasarovar was rebuilt in 1984 and contains many statues and religious properties, some that were thrown into the lake during the Cultural Revolution and recovered.

14 Seralung Gompa Statues Inside On Lake Manasarovar Kora

15 Seralung Gompa Courtyard Flagpole With Lake Manasarovar And Gurla Mandhata Beyond The courtyard of Seralung Gompa has a tall flagpole with a view to lake Manasarovar.

15 Seralung Gompa Courtyard Flagpole With Lake Manasarovar And Gurla Mandhata Beyond

16 Seralung Gompa Chorten And Prayer Wheels With Lake Manasarovar And Mount Kailash Beyond Seralung Gompa has a chorten next to Lake Manasarovar with a row of prayer wheels and Mount Kailash in the distance.

16 Seralung Gompa Chorten And Prayer Wheels With Lake Manasarovar And Mount Kailash Beyond

17 Seralung Gompa Chorten And Prayer Wheels With Lake Manasarovar And Gurla Mandhata Seralung Gompa chorten next to Lake Manasarovar with a row of prayer wheels and Gurla Mandhata.

17 Seralung Gompa Chorten And Prayer Wheels With Lake Manasarovar And Gurla Mandhata

18 Mani Rocks At Seralung Gompa Chorten With Prayer Flags And Lake Manasarovar There are many mani stones next to the prayer flags and chorten at Seralung Gompa.

18 Mani Rocks At Seralung Gompa Chorten With Prayer Flags And Lake Manasarovar

19 Trugo Gompa And Chorten On Lake Manasarovar South Shore With Mount Kailash On the south shore of Lake Manasarovar, the Gelugpa Trugo (Bathing Head) Gompa (4601m) is named for its importance as a place for ritual bathing by Hindus. Hindus immerse themselves totally in the icy water, while Tibetans simply splash water on their heads and drink the water.

19 Trugo Gompa And Chorten On Lake Manasarovar South Shore With Mount Kailash

20 Trugo Gompa Chorten With Lake Manasarovar And Mount Kailash The chorten next to Trugo Gompa has a great view of Mount Kailash across Lake Manasarovar.

20 Trugo Gompa Chorten With Lake Manasarovar And Mount Kailash

21 Lake Manasarovar And Mount Kailash From Trugo Gompa Lake Manasarovar stretches from Trugo Gompa on the south shore to Mount Kailash in the distance past the north shore.

21 Lake Manasarovar And Mount Kailash From Trugo Gompa

22 Lake Manasarovar And Mount Kailash From Trugo Gompa Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar close up from Trugo Gompa.

22 Lake Manasarovar And Mount Kailash From Trugo Gompa

23 Trugo Gompa Entrance Paintings Of Four Guardian Kings And Wheel Of Life, Inside View And Window To Lake Manasarovar The entrance to Trugo Gompa on the south shore of Lake Manasarovar has paintings of the Four Guardian Kings on either side of the entrance doors and a painting of the Wheel Of Life. Monks say their prayers in the main hall with a window looking out to Lake Manasarovar.

23 Trugo Gompa Entrance Paintings Of Four Guardian Kings And Wheel Of Life, Inside View And Window To Lake Manasarovar

24 Trugo Gompa Main Altar Has Statues Of Buddhas Of The Three Times Dipamkara, Shakyamuni And Maitreya The main altar of Trugo Gompa contains images of the Buddhas of the Three Times, Dipamkara (past), Shakyamuni (present) and Maitreya (future).

24 Trugo Gompa Main Altar Has Statues Of Buddhas Of The Three Times Dipamkara, Shakyamuni And Maitreya

25 Trugo Gompa Statues Of Yamantaka And Vajrapani Trugo Gompa has statues of Yamantaka in yab yum with his consort and Vajrapani. Yamantaka (Tib. Dorje Jigje), the ferocious emanation of Manjushri (Bodhisattva of wisdom), comes from Yama

25 Trugo Gompa Statues Of Yamantaka And Vajrapani

26 Trugo Gompa Statues Of Guhyasamaja Akshobhyavajra, Padmasambhava And Chakrasamvara Trugo Gompa has statues of Guhyasamaja Akshobhyavajra, Padmasambhava (Tib. Guru Rinpoche), and Chakrasamvara. The left statue is dark blue Guhyasamaja Akshobhyavajra in yab yum with his consort who is light blue. Gurla Mandhata in Western Tibet is considered to be his paradise. Guhyasamaja is dark blue in colour as distinct from the light blue complexion of his consort, with two hands crossed against the breast holding a vajra and ghanta bell, his upper right and left hands holding a chakra wheel and flaming jewel, and his two lower hands holding a lotus and sword. His consort has three faces: red, light blue, and white. Her original hands embrace the yab at the back, the upper hands hold the flaming mani jewel and chakra wheel while the lower ones carry the sword of wisdom and lotus. The dark blue right statue on the right is Chakrasamvara with his red consort Vajravarahi (Tib.: Dorje Pagmo). His two central hands embrace his consort and hold a vajra and bell. His right hands hold a damaru drum, an axe, a curved chopper and a trident. One of his left hands holds a khatvanga.

26 Trugo Gompa Statues Of Guhyasamaja Akshobhyavajra, Padmasambhava And Chakrasamvara

27 Lake Manasarovar Behind Prayer Flags On Ridge Between Lake Manasarovar And Lake Rakshas Tal After driving past the southwestern corner of Lake Manasarovar, we crested a small ridge with prayer flags and a view back to Lake Manasarovar.

27 Lake Manasarovar Behind Prayer Flags On Ridge Between Lake Manasarovar And Lake Rakshas Tal

28 The Broad Gurla Mandhata Massif From Ridge Between Lake Manasarovar And Lake Rakshas Tal The broad Gurla Mandhata massif is to the south of the ridge between Lake Manasarovar and Lake Rakshas Tal.

28 The Broad Gurla Mandhata Massif From Ridge Between Lake Manasarovar And Lake Rakshas Tal

29 Gurla Mandhata Close Up From Ridge Between Lake Manasarovar And Lake Rakshas Tal Gurla Mandhata close up view from a ridge between Lake Manasarovar and Lake Rakshas Tal.

29 Gurla Mandhata Close Up From Ridge Between Lake Manasarovar And Lake Rakshas Tal

30 Lake Rakshas Tal From Ridge Between Lake Manasarovar And Lake Rakshas Tal To the west of Lake Manasarovar is Lake Rakshas Tal, shaped like a crescent, but thought of as darkness as opposed to the brightness of Manasarovar.

30 Lake Rakshas Tal From Ridge Between Lake Manasarovar And Lake Rakshas Tal

31 Lake Rakshas Tal And Mount Kailash From Ridge Between Lake Manasarovar And Lake Rakshas Tal Lake Rakshas Tal view towards Mount Kailash from the ridge between Lake Manasarovar and Lake Rakshash Tal

31 Lake Rakshas Tal And Mount Kailash From Ridge Between Lake Manasarovar And Lake Rakshas Tal

32 Chiu Village Next To Ganga Chu With Chiu Gompa On Hill And Mount Kailash Behind Chiu Village sits next to Ganga Chu, the water channel that runs from Lake Manasarovar to Rakshas Tal. When water flows through this channel, it is said to auger well for the Tibetan people. Chiu Gompa (4639m) perched on a hill with Mount Kailash behind completes the view.

32 Chiu Village Next To Ganga Chu With Chiu Gompa On Hill And Mount Kailash Behind

33 New And Old Chiu Gompas Perched On A Hill With Mount Kailash Behind New Chiu Gompa (left) and the old Chiu Gompa (right) are perched on a hill with a perfect view of Mount Kailash beyond.

33 New And Old Chiu Gompas Perched On A Hill With Mount Kailash Behind

34 Old Chiu Gompa Perched On A Hill With Mount Kailash Behind Mount Kailash close up with Chiu Gompa.

34 Old Chiu Gompa Perched On A Hill With Mount Kailash Behind

35 Victory Banners On Old Chiu Gompa Roof With Lake Manasarovar And Buildings Below Two victory banners are perched on the roof of the old Chiu Gompa with a view to Lake Manasarovar and some buildings below next to the lake.

35 Victory Banners On Old Chiu Gompa Roof With Lake Manasarovar And Buildings Below

36 Inside Old Chiu Gompa My guide and driver mingle among the pilgrims in the old Chiu Gompa.

36 Inside Old Chiu Gompa

37 Padmasambhava Statue Inside Old Chiu Gompa The main statue behind glass on the old Chiu Gompa altar is Padmasambhava (Tib. Guru Rinpoche).

37 Padmasambhava Statue Inside Old Chiu Gompa

38 Gurla Mandhata From Chiu Gompa Gurla Mandhata dominates the view to the south from Chiu Gompa.

38 Gurla Mandhata From Chiu Gompa

39 Mount Kailash South Face From Drive Between Chiu Gompa And Darchen Mount Kailash South Face dominates the view as we drive from Chiu Gompa towards Darchen.

39 Mount Kailash South Face From Drive Between Chiu Gompa And Darchen

40 Darchen With Mount Kailash South Face Mount Kailash South Face continues to dominate the view as we approach Darchen (4681m).

40 Darchen With Mount Kailash South Face

41 Outside Our Basic Hotel in Darchen Tibet With Mount Kailash Behind We arrive at Darchen (4681m) and check in to a basic hotel.

41 Outside Our Basic Hotel in Darchen Tibet With Mount Kailash Behind

42 Main Street In Darchen Tibet With Mount Kailash Behind The main street in Darchen (4681m) stretches uphill with Mount Kailash poking up above the horizon ridge.

42 Main Street In Darchen Tibet With Mount Kailash Behind

43 Mani Wall In Darchen Tibet Has A Mani Pool Table I walk up the main street of Darchen to a mani wall on the northern edge of town. This mani wall had a few pool tables modified to a more religious perspective – very creative.

43 Mani Wall In Darchen Tibet Has A Mani Pool Table

44 Chorten And Mani Wall At North End Of Darchen Village With Barkha Plain Stretching To Gurla Mandhata I climb up above the chorten and mani wall on the northern edge of Darchen for a view of the village and the Barkha Plain stretching to Gurla Mandhata.

44 Chorten And Mani Wall At North End Of Darchen Village With Barkha Plain Stretching To Gurla Mandhata

45 Indian Himalaya Shines At Sunset Beyond Lake Rakshas Tal From Darchen The mountains of the Indian Himalaya shine at sunset with Lake Rakshas Tal taken from Darchen.

45 Indian Himalaya Shines At Sunset Beyond Lake Rakshas Tal From Darchen

46 Gurla Mandhata Shines At Sunset From Darchen Gurla Mandhata (7728m) shines at sunset from Darchen Tibet.

46 Gurla Mandhata Shines At Sunset From Darchen

47 Mount Kailash South Face Shines At Sunrise From Darchen Mount Kailash South Face shines at sunrise from Darchen Tibet.

47 Mount Kailash South Face Shines At Sunrise From Darchen