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Geological perspective at Kailash area in
search for Ashtapad site
Kewal Krishan Sharma
Possible routes to Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra area used by early vedic people The Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra (KMY) area, although presently being reached by pilgrims along various routes through Kumaun or Nepal Himalayas, is in fact topographically, geologically and culturally, the Southeastern continuation of the Dungti-Demchok area of the Ladakh Himalayas and Shipiki La-Pooh region of Himachal Pradesh. KMY region lies in the western part of the Tibetan Plateau referred to as the "Roof of the World"- the highest and largest plateau on planet Earth. The Kailash region in the past has been approachable through various routes along Sutlej and Indus rivers. The Indian Government is presently negotiating with Chinese's Government to reopen (i) Indus Route from Leh and (ii) Sutlej Route from Kinnaur through Pooh-Shipiki La to Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra area. Both these routes are more convenient, motorable routes for Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrims and would considerably reduce their expenditure and dread while walking in the difficult and hazardous terrain of Kumaun Himalaya. Archaeological evidence from Kiari, about 100 km east of Leh, discovered by the author, suggest that Indus river has been used by Pre-Indus Civilization man at least for the past 6,700 Yrs B.P., to travel to Tibet (Sharma, 1989,1995, Otta, 1992, 1993). During the field excursion by the author in the Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, he saw and photographed endless rock carvings and paintings of Buddha on river boulders, side rocks and statues placed in the warship ruins and still intact temples all long the Indus River and its important tributaries, including the Archaeological site of Taksashila. This is clearly an evidence to suggest that the Indus River Route to Southwestern Tibet including KailashMansarovar area has been commonly used by early Pre-and Post-Indus civilized man for tracking in the Himalayan Region and to spread Buddhism, at least since 7,000 yrs B.P. (the earliest recorded archaeological site at Kiari, Leh) till the beginning of first Century B.C. We have no data to suggest, when early man was fascinated by the charm of Kailash-Mansarovar area and considered it to be the Abode of Lord Shiva. Naturally carved statues looking like Nandi, Lion, Siddha Yogi Purush, Shiv Linga etc. seems to have fascinated and influenced the imagination of Early Vedic People who have been visiting KMY region. Searches in Vedic literature would be of great interest discovering where the earliest reference of KailashMansarovar appeared in mythological literature and whether the word 'Om' was adopted after seeing the snow covering on folded rocks of Tethys Sea on the mountain along the Kumaun Track (Fig.1) now known as Om Parvat or Chhota Kailash. It is along the uphill climb of the
Ref. Vol. XII Ch. 86 B pg. 5474-5494 Geological perspective at Kailash
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