 IntroductionMt. Kailash, 6,740 m (22,112ft). is situated to the north of the Himalayan barrier, wholly within Tibet. It is the perfect mountain with awesome beauty, with 4 great faces. It is the spiritual centre for four great religions: Tibetan Buddhism, Hinduism, the Jain religion and the pre-Buddhist animistic religion - Bonpo. To Tibetans it is known as Khang Rimpoche (Precious Jewel of Snow) and they see it as the navel of the world. It is said that a stream from the mountain pours into a nearby lake and from here rivers flow in the four cardinal directions. The River of the Lion Mouth to the North, the River of the Horse Mouth to the east, the River of the Peacock Mouth to the south and the River of the Elephant Mouth to the West. Strangely enough, four major rivers do indeed originate near Kailash, the Indus, the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra), the Karnali and the Sutlej. Tibetans believe that it is the residence of Demchog, a fierce looking tantric deity who lives there with his consort, Dorje Phagmo. For the Tibetans also, it is a particularly special place in that their poet saint Milarepa, spent several years here meditating in a cave. The ultimate Tibetan journey, from the holiest Buddhist mountain, the sculpted perfection of Kailash; through the serene beauty of the Tibetan plateau and its incredible monasteries. So stunningly beautiful, it seems entirely appropriate that Kailash is regarded as the centre of the spiritual universe. It is the staircase down which the gods descended to earth at the beginning of time, and amazingly it is from this one solitary mountain that all the four sacred rivers of Asia spring, diverging to the furthest corners of the sub-continent. To all Tibetan Buddhists it is the ultimate goal, a lifetime's pilgrimage to prostrate around it one body's length at a time.  2002 a Very Special YearEvery year on special occasions I organize a cultural journey that is more extensive. 2002 is a special year in Tibetan Buddhism, when a pilgrimage is particularly meritorious. According to Tibetan Buddhist beliefs, every major pilgrimage place is associated with a particular animal from a 12-year astrological cycle. It is considered especially auspicious to visit a sacred site during the particular animal year with which it is related. In this respect, Mount Kailash is associated with the year of the horse, which occurs in 2002. During that year, one circumabulation of the mountain is popularly considered to be equivalent to thirteen rounds at other times……… and wash the sins of all past life times away. At the time of the full moon of Saga Dawa (The Buddha's day of enlightenment and Paranirvana ) many pilgrims come to the holy mountain. In Tarpoche, at the foot of the holy mountain, there will be a big Buddhist festival. Tarpoche represents the navel of the world and every year Tibetans erect a giant pole while many other ceremonies and rituals are carried out. This is certainly the most important day for Tibetan pilgrims at Mt. Kailash. Departure
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