5th International Conference on the Phenomenon of the Holy Mt. Kailash
“Compilation of Traditional and New Aspects of Mt. Kailash and Surrounding Pilgrimage Sites”
University of Hamburg, March 25-27, 2022
Dr. Sergei Balalaev, Phenomenon of Kailash Research Group, Russia
In the course of more than 20 expeditions to Mt. Kailash (Tib. = Ti-se / Gangs rin-po-che) in 2005-2019 we frequently passed the routes of the inner kora of Mt. Kailash (Tib. = nang-skor) and Secret Dakinis Path described in this report. The analysis of high-resolution satellite images allowed to study the shape, orientation and size of the valleys within which the koras pass, as well as their mountain ranges. The Inner Kora route involves going round Mt. Nandi (6002 m) (Tib. Neten Yelakzung) over the Charok Phurdod La pass (5836 m) and includes a worship visit to 13 Gold Stupas Serdung Chusum and two lakes, Kapala Tso (Rakta) and Kavala Tso (Durchi). During the passage of the Nandi Kora we visited and studied some man-made and natural objects: Gyangdrag Gompa monastery, Selung Gompa monastery, west crest of the Inner Kora, Mt. Buddha’s Throne, Mt. Nandi, Atma Linga and the sacred river Sailodha that originates here; the niche of Saptorishi with 13 stupas (Tib. Serdung Chusum), Kapala Tso Lake and Kavala Tso Lake, and some other objects. Inner kora is apparently the highest pilgrimage in the world. The route of the Secret Dakinis Path goes over the Khandro Sanglam pass (5,675 m). When passing the Dakinis Kora we visited and studied Mt. Pakna (6000 m), Mt. Jampeyang (Manjushri) (5,835 m), Kubera Lake, and Vajravarahi Lake. The routes described are of great importance for pilgrims for internal practices and transformations.