The Gateway to Nirvana: Standing at the Threshold of the Mount Kailash Kora

The Intersection of Heaven and Earth

1.Situated at the foot of the sacred Mount: Kailash (Gang Rinpoche) in Pulan County of the Ngari Prefecture, the Kora Starting Point is more than just a geographical marker; it is a profound threshold between the mundane world and the divine realm. This area, primarily centered around the small town of Darchen (also known as Taqin or Tarboche in a broader sense), sits at an altitude of approximately 4,600 meters. For centuries, it has served as the base camp and the spiritual gateway for millions of pilgrims embarking on the arduous 52-kilometer trek around the holy mountain. Whether arriving by diverse means of transport or on foot, standing here evokes a sense of awe, marking the beginning of a journey that many believe can wash away the sins of a lifetime and lead to enlightenment.

2.Darchen: The Base Camp of the Soul

Darchen is the logistical heart of the pilgrimage. It is a dusty yet vibrant settlement filled with the energy of anticipation. Here, pilgrims from all corners of Tibet, India, Nepal, and the world gather to prepare for the "Kora" (circumambulation). The town offers a unique blend of authentic religious fervor and the practicalities of high-altitude trekking, with teahouses, guesthouses, and supply shops lining its streets. Walking through Darchen, one can see a tapestry of faces—devout Tibetans spinning prayer wheels, Indian pilgrims chanting mantras, and western trekkers adjusting their gear. It is a place where the material needs of the body meet the deepest aspirations of the spirit, creating an atmosphere charged with devotion and determination.

The Two-Legged Stupa: A Ritual of Passage

3.As trekkers leave: Darchen and head west towards the valley entrance, they encounter the Two-Legged Stupa (Chorten Kang-nyi), also known as the "Gateway Stupa." This iconic structure features an archway that pilgrims walk through. In Tibetan tradition, passing through this "door" symbolizes a spiritual rebirth and purification, formally marking the entry into the sacred mandala of Mount Kailash. It is a ritualistic shedding of the past before stepping onto the holy path. Near this point, the landscape opens up, revealing the vast, arid plains of the Barkha continuously swept by the highland winds, contrasting sharply with the towering walls of the mountain ahead.

The Face of the Swastika

One of the most compelling features of the starting point is the direct view it offers of Mount Kailash’s Southern Face. From this vantage, the mountain displays its distinctive pyramid shape, capped with eternal snow. A defining feature visible from here is the vertical ice trough that cuts through the center of the face, intersected by horizontal rock layers, forming a natural Swastika (Wan Zi Ge) symbol. In Buddhism, this symbol represents eternal power and the Buddha's seal, further cementing the mountain's status as the center of the universe. Seeing this symbol at the start of the trek provides a powerful spiritual anchor for the journey ahead.

A Symphony of Wind and Prayer

The atmosphere at the starting point is defined by the sound of the wind fluttering through thousands of colorful prayer flags and the scent of burning juniper (Wei Sang). Pilgrims often toss "Lungta" (paper wind horses) into the air, creating a flurry of prayers rising to the heavens. The ground is scattered with Mani stones carved with mantras, silent testimonies to the devotion of those who have passed before. Whether you are a trekker seeking adventure or a pilgrim seeking redemption, the starting point of the Mount Kailash Kora is where the physical challenge begins, and the spiritual dialogue with the high plateau opens,.