Yam Dwar, Mount Kailash

Yam Dwar, meaning in the Hindi Language, is “The Gateway to the God of Death”. It is one of the most important attractions of the Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar Yatra. Yam Dwar is the beginning point of the Kailash Mansarovar Parikrama (Circumambulation). Devotees from across the world visit the Yam Dwar annually. Mount Kailash is the abode of Lord Shiva, and to reach him, one must pass through the Yam Dwar. According to legends, Yama, the god of death, himself protects this place. The gateway is a modest Tibetan-style structure. The Tibetan people believe that Kailash is the home of their deity “Demchok”. Every year, Tibetans establish a new prayer flag-pole in Tarboche. Hindus believe that completing the circumambulation of the Yam Dwar leads to heaven after death. Hence, it is the major stop during the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.

Location of Yam Dwar

Yam Dwar is known as the sacred gateway to Mount Kailash. It is the beginning point of the Kailash Mansarovar Parikrama. Yam Dwar is located in Tarboche near Darchen, the base camp for the Mount Kailash Trek in Tibet. If you are in Darchen, you are only a few kilometres away from Yam Dwar. It is approximately a 15 km drive from Darchen. After being dropped off by vehicles, pilgrims begin the 40-52 km Mount Kailash Kora from Yam Dwar.

Religious Significance of Yam Dwar

The entire Mount Kailash is a sacred site. Hence, everything associated with it is also holy. The Yam Dwar is known as the gateway to the god of death. It is said that everyone has to pass through this gate to enter the abode of Lord Shiva.

According to Hindu Mythology, Yama is the god of death. He brings the mortals' souls to his home, where he judges their deeds after their death, and depending on the judgment, he sends the souls to hell or heaven. But it is believed that if you pass through the Yam Dwar in Mount Kailash, you will get a place in heaven as the accountant of Yama, Chitragupta, who removes all your evil deeds.

According to the Tibetans, Mount Kailash is the home of their deity Demchok. Hence, they do not call Yam Dwar by the same name. They call it “Tarboche”, from where they begin the Kailash Mansarovar circumambulation. The vehicles drop off pilgrims and tourists at Tarboche, from where they start their Parikrama or Kora to the heavenly abode of lord Shiva. Tibetans also place a new prayer flagpole every year in Tarboche. It has a deep meaning. Therefore, they arrange the flags in a particular way with colors of blue, white, red, green, and yellow from left to right. Blue refers to the sky, white to air, red to fire, green to water, and yellow to the earth. Every year, they replace the old flagpole with the new, adorned one.

Rituals and Offerings

The inner Mount Kailash Kora is more challenging than the outer Kora. Hence, before crossing the Yam Dwar, many pilgrims engage in meditation. This lets them mentally prepare for the difficult journey ahead. Meditating in the serene and sacred environment near Yam Dwar allows pilgrims to empty themselves from worldly attachments and immerse themselves in the powerful energy of this holy site. Besides, Hindu pilgrims perform Puja rituals at the Yam Dwar, often by making offerings of milk, Rudraksha Mala, flower garlands, and diya (earthen lamps).