Charan Sparsh, Mount Kailash

Charan Sparsh literally means touching the feet of the divine. The Mount Kailash Yatra is a sacred pilgrimage undertaken by the devotees of Lord Shiva to seek his blessings and attain salvation. The Mount Kailash Charan Sparsh Yatra is touching Mount Kailash from close. The shape of the Kailash resembles a Shivalinga. When pilgrims touch the mountain, they feel they touch lord Shiva himself. This spiritual tour is ideal for those who are physically unfit to complete the Mount Kailash Parikrama. It offers a unique spiritual experience as pilgrims feel a direct and emotional connection with Lord Shiva.

About Charan Sparsh

Charan Sparsh is made of combining two words, where Charan means “Foot” and Sparsh means “Touch”. So, the word Charan Sparsh literally means “Touching the Feet”. In the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, pilgrims reach the base of the mountain and do Charan Sparsh of Lors Shiva, who is believed to reside here with his consort, Goddess Parvati, and his sons. The Charan Sparsh Kailash Mansarovar Yatra represents a profound devotion and reverence, making devotees feel close to the divine presence. To date, countless people have tried to reach the summit of the peak, yet no one has succeeded. But it has been said that the only one to conquer Mount Kailash was the Tibetan Sage Milarepa.

Location of Charan Sparsh

Charan Sparsh is located at the foothills of Mount Kailash’s north face. You can reach here on the first day of your Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. The first day of Mount Kailash Parikrama, pilgrims cover 10 km from Yamdwar to Dirapuk. Devotees can trek further 4-5 km from Dirapuk to reach the base of Mount Kailash, which is Charan Sparsh. Unfortunately, the trek can be extremely challenging as there is no official route to reach Charan Sparsh, and the area has severe weather conditions.

Kailash Charan Sparsh Yatra Route

• The journey begins either from Kathmandu in Nepal or Lucknow in India. It depends on the entry point of your tour.
• Then, taking the Hilsa or Simikot route, pilgrims reach Tibet. Then continue the journey by road to Purang and Darchen, the base of Mount Kailash.
• Pilgrims from Darchen to Yamdwar, which is the starting point of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.
• Next, they will cover almost 14-15 km to reach Charan Sparsh Point, which includes a trek to the South Face of Kailash.

Permits and Documents

Pilgrims will enter the Tibet Autonomous Region, so strict permits and group travel are mandatory to undertake this sacred journey. Here is a list of the important documents and permits required during the Kailash Charan Sparsh Yatra:

• A passport that must be valid for at least six months from the date of the yatra.
• Tibet Travel Permit
• Chinese Group Visa
• Mount Kailash Entry Permit
• Medical Fitness Certificate