Situated at a fairly impressive altitude of 6,310 metres, Adi Kailash also referred to as Chota Kailash or Little Kailash is in one or the other way a replica of Mount Kailash in Tibet.
It is situated in the Indian Territory in Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand within a proximity to the Indo-Tibetan border. In the quietude of the tranquil Kumaon Himalayas, Adi Kailash is a popular pilgrimage of the Hindu devotees. One can catch a glimpse of the emerald Parvati lake and the Gauri Kund adorned on the very foot of Chota Kailash.
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Adi Kailash, a trekking spree and a popular pilgrim place for the Hindu devotees
The love for hiking and spirituality often attracts the tourists to enjoy the splendor of Mount Adi Kailash which features wildflowers, fruits, cascading waterfalls and the thick woodlands that can engulf the wanderers in its gloom. The trek passes through the awe-inspiring Darma, Bryans and Chaundans Valley. One can admire the grandeur of the snowy Annapurna peak, the bubbling Kali River and the Narayan ashram. Many devotees like to head to Adi Kailash as in this trek one can explore the tiny Kuti village named after ‘Kunti’, the mother of Pandavas.
At the very foot of Chotta Kailash is Gauri kund reflecting its entire expanse. Yet another water body close by is called Parvati Sarovar. Also known as "Mansarovar" it is much smaller than the original one. A temple dedicated to Shiva and Parvati is there at the shoreline. Following the Chinese occupation of Tibet, Chotta Kailash served as the most revered substitute of Mount Kailash.
For experiencing spirituality in the lap of the Himalayas, the pilgrims can pay obeisance at the temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and Parvati, adorned on the shoreline of the Adi Kailash. During the Chinese invasion of Tibet, the Chota Kailash was revered next to Mount Kailash by the locals.
From Gunji the Kailash Mansarovar route branches off to Kalapani from where the Kali river originates. Onwards from here is Navidhang (3987m) Lipupass is only 9 kms from here. From Navidhang "Om Parvat" , the miracle of nature is clearly perceptible. Snow lies on this mountain in the shape of a perpetual "OM", the primordial sound. All other slopes may be bare but this inscription in the snow is everlasting and as one observes it, one gets the feeling that the mountain itself is Lord Shiva incarnate.
There is good news for Shiva devotees. Passes for Adi Kailash Yatra will start being made from September 2. The administration will issue 150 passes daily.
After PM Narendra Modi visit to Adi Kailash, the abode of Lord Shiva has gained global recognition. This is the first time after the Prime Minister visit this year that 21,000 pilgrims had come to visit Adi Kailash and Om Parvat in May and June.
The yatra was stopped from July 02 in view of the closure of the road due to torrential rains and the danger of disaster. Monsoon rains stop by 15 September. In view of this, devotees and tourists from all over the country are willing to come to visit Adi Kailash. Most of the devotees have also applied online.
Looking at the weather conditions, the administration has said that the Inner Line Pass will be issued after 10 September. Earlier the Adi Kailash yatra was suppose to start from 1 September, but due to the yellow alert of the weather, Inner Line Permits will be issued only after 10 September. The SDM requested all the tour operators and taxi union officials to take bookings of passengers only as per the weather alert.
After the arrival of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Adi Kailash, preparations have intensified to develop Gunji, the entrance of Kailash Mansarovar, Adi Kailash and Om Parvat. Approval of Rs 23 crore has been received from the Government of India to develop Gunji into a Shiv Dham.
To provide better facilities to the ever increasing number of tourists, Nandi Dwar, Tourist Facilitation Center, Visitor Room will be built in Gunji at an altitude of 10500 feet. In this, tourists will be given information about local history and culture. Shiv Puran Auditorium will be built to give spiritual information of Shiv Nagari to the tourists. In this, tourists will be given information about the story of Lord Shiva, his favorite places etc. Construction work will start soon.
Adi Kailash is located in Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand, which is considered very sensitive from the disaster point of view during monsoons. In view of which the District Administration Pithoragarh has stopped the Adi Kailash Yatra till further orders. To reach here, the Tawaghat Lipulekh road has been built, which directly connects the China border, but there are many danger zones on this road, which can prove to be fatal many times during the rainy season.
Pithoragarh District Magistrate Reena Joshi said that incidents of landslides are seen a lot on the Tawaghat Lipulekh road during the rainy season. Keeping in view the safety of the travelers, the Adi Kailash Yatra has been stopped for the time being, she said that this journey will be started again soon.
Twenty-three pilgrims who were stranded in Tawaghat for four days while returning from the Adi Kailash Yatra have been rescued. Torrential rains in the hill state triggered massive landslides, leaving the pilgrims trapped. On Saturday, rescue teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), and local police successfully rescued all the pilgrims.
Devoutly referred to as ‘Chhota Kailash’, the towering Adi Kailash mountain will leave you gasping for breath as one try to comprehend the sheer size of this peak associated with Lord Shiva. The chain of snow-covered peaks that one used to look at from the vantage of hills of Uttarakhand stand right in front. Surrounded by the mighty Himalayas, the mesmerizing sightseeing is visible in every direction one turns his or her gaze to.
Earlier pilgrims had to do the trekking of 198 kms for preforming Adi Kailash & Om Parvat Yatra. Now Government has developed a new road in the area with BRO which bought down the optional trekking part to 2-7 kms only. Beyond Dhrchula roads are rough so you must go in local Bolero/ Bolero Camper etc.
Due to its ease of accessibility, now Adi Kailash Yatra getting popular day by day.
The distinguished Adi Kailash is one of the most revered mountains of India, known for its spiritual munificence and hiking bliss. According to the Hindu mythology, Adi Kailash is the abode of Lord Shiva, his consort Parvati and their offspring Ganpati and Kartikey. Therefore, the spectacular Adi Kailash mountain range is considered as the most sacred mountain range in the world and is worshiped by many Hindus for its religious importance.
Day 1: Kathgodam - Jageshwar – Pithoragarh (1627 mts.)
(196 kms - 9 to 10 hours of journey) -
Start your tour at 6:30 am from Kathgodam. Proceed to Pithoragarh via Jageshwar.
Enroute visiting Places: Kainchi Dham, Golu Devta temple at Chitayi, Jageshwar Dham via Bhimtal and Almora.
Day 2: Pithoragarh to Dharchula (910 mts.)
(96 kms. 4 to 5 hours of journey)
Morning tea, Breakfast at Pithoragarh. Proceed to Dharchula (at 7:00am) by bus/Tempo traveler.
Visiting Places: Gori and Kaali River at Jauljibi and Jwaleshwar temple at Joljibi on the way.
Day 3: Dharchula to Gunji (3200 mts.)
(71 kms. 5 to 6 hours of journey)
Morning tea, Breakfast at Dharchula. Proceed to Gunji (at 7:00am) by Bolero/ Bolero Camper.
Visiting Places: - Budhi village, Chiyalekh meadows and panoramic view of Mount Aapi and Namjing Parvat, Garbyang, Napalchu on the way to Gunji.
Day 4: Gunji to Nabhidhang (4266 mts.) back to Gunji
Morning tea, Breakfast at Gunji. Proceed to Nabhidhang (at 7:00am) by Bolero/Bolero Camper via Kalapani (22+22 kms. 6 to 7 hours of journey). Lunch at Nabhidhang (at 12:00 noon), Om parvat darshan at Nabhidhang and back to Gunji (at 4:00pm).
Visiting Places: - Ganesh Parwat and Mount Aapi darshan from Gunji, Nag Parwat, Vyash Gufa, Kaali Mandir dharshan at Kalapani, Nabhi parwat and Om parwat darshan at Nabhidhang.
Day 5: Gunji to Jyolingkong (4378 mts.) - Adi Kailash and back to Budhi
Morning tea, Breakfast at Gunji. Proceed to Jyolingkong (at 6:30am) via Nabi, Kutti, by Bolero/Camper. (86 kms. to and fro from Gunji to Adi Kailash and back to budhi and 9 to 10 hours of journey). Visit parwati sarovar and Adi Kailash darshan, Gauri Kund, Parwati mukut, Pandav parwat, lunch at Jyolingkong (at 1:pm), after lunch proceed to Budhi (at 5:00pm)
Visiting Places: - Kunti Kila, Kutti village, Nikarchu Parwat darshan, Parwati Sarovar visits, Aadi Kailash, Parwati mukut, Pandav Parwat, Gauri kund darshan.
Day 6: Budhi to Chaukori (2010 mts.) via Dharchula
(193 kms and 8 to 9 hours journey)
Morning tea, Breakfast at Budhi Proceed to Chaukori (at 7:00am) via Dharchula, Didihat by Bus/ tempo traveler. Lunch at Didihat, after lunch proceed to Chaukori
Day 7: Chaukori to Bhimtal (1370mts.) via Patal Bhuvneshwar, Sheraghat, Almora.
(209km and 9 to 10 hours journey)
Morning tea, Breakfast at Chaukori Proceed to Bhimtal (at 8:00am) via Patal Bhuvneshwar/Almora, by bus/ tempo traveler. Lunch at Patal Bhuvneshwar (at 12:00pm) after lunch proceed to Bhimtal (at 6:00pm)
Day 8: Bhimtal to Kathgodam
Morning tea, breakfast at Bhimtal after breakfast proceed to Kathagodam (at 8:30am). You can also visit Nainital, Sattal after the tour.
Check out the Adi Kailash weather report for October
The minimun and maximum temperature in October in Adi Kailash is -9°C and 16°C respectively. The weather is generally pleasant and clear in October and you would feel cold throughout the day. Light Woolen clothes are recommended for Adi Kailash in October.
Adi Kailash is famous among tourist as Pilgrimage, High Altitude Trek, Expedition, Remote, Road Trip, Adventure.
Adi Kailash is popular destination for following activities/ interests - Adventure, Peaks and Mountains, Pilgrimage, Religious, Trekking.