Dolma La Pass: The Holiest and Toughest Point on the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra
Dolma La Pass is located in western Tibet (Ngari Prefecture), on the Kailash Kora Route, a perfect blend of spirits and breathtaking scenarios located at an altitude of ~5,630–5,650 m (≈18,471 ft.). This pass marks the highest point of the Kailash kora route around one of the majestic peaks that stands tall over the sky, Mount Kailash. Mount Kailash is regarded as a holy place of Buddhism and Hinduism. This place is often believed to have a spiritual importance where an individual can be reborn and cleanse their karma.
Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is not just a journey to the Himalayas; it is a journey to reconnect your soul to peace. Followers or Pilgrims from all around the world, especially from the Hindu, Buddhist, Jains, and Bon communities, consider this as one of the transformative and sacred paths where one can gain spiritual experience. Dolma La Pass lies at a high point on the kora (circumambulation) route, between Dirapuk and Zuthulpuk, one of the challenging and hardest points to reach Mount Kailash. This journey takes you through the holiest and thrilling experience.
What is Dolma La Pass?
Dolma La Pass is located at the highest point of Kailash Parikrama, one of the sacred perambulations of Mount Kailash. Dolma la Pass, sitting at the height of ≈5,630 m, is marked as one of the dramatic yet explicate moments that can be felt within 3 days of trek around this holy mountain Kailash.
Dolma La lies at the heart of Tibet that connecting Parikrama (Dirapuk to Dolma La) with Zuthulpuk Monastery. The Path to this pass is exhausting, the ascent of this pass is exhausting, and so it can take hours of trekking. Air becomes thin, and once you keep trekking to the top air starts to become thinner. Every step feels. Like you fighting with cold and thin air. Once you are at the top, you will find yourself surrounded by snow patches, mountains, and a bundle of prayer flags fluttering in the cold and icy wind.
Dolma La pass is not just about trekking, but it is about feeling the spiritual energy. Without crossing this pass, your Kailash Yatra is incomplete. Many of the beliefs say that the person crossing this pass is equivalent to losing their past sins.
Mythological and spiritual significance
Tibetan Buddhism Mythology and Spiritual Significance
Dolma la Pass is believed to have Spiritual and mythological importance, as this pass is named after a Tibetan Buddhist goddess, Dolma (Tara). A goddess of forgiveness and compassion. Climbers or followers believed that, while someone is attempting to climb this pass, Dolma watches them, which provides. Pilgrims’ spiritual strength, especially for those who struggle.
Hindu Mythology and Spiritual Significance
In Hindu mythology, this pass adds another layer of significance. It is believed that crossing the Dolma La pass will represent the journey from one life to the next life for many pilgrims. They believed that ascending and descending the path represents the individual’s cycle of birth and death or death and rebirth. This pass acts like a bridge between Death and rebirth.
Jain Tradition, Mythology, and Spiritual Significance
For Jains, Dolma La Pass is one of the parts of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. Jains revere the Kailash-Ashtapad, and Dolma la is part of wider pilgrimage circuit. They treat hardship as a foundation of discipline before crossing Dolma La Pass; they meditate, fast, and keep vows of silence and practice austerities. Despite being a difficult path, this journey symbolizes the soul’s struggle towards moksha. This extreme journey represents tapas and burning away karmas.
Bon Tradition, Mythology, and Spiritual Significance
In Bon Tradition, Dolma La Pass is crossed in the opposite direction, where the pilgrim moves counterclockwise around Mount Kailash. At the pass, Bon’s offers player flags, personal tokens, and incense to the spirits and their deities in the sake of protection and blessing. For Bon Dolma, La Pass represents death and rebirth. The climb represents the cleansing of the soul and renewing life.
Pilgrims often leave their personal belongings, offerings, and prayer flags behind. This symbolizes the token of devotion and leaving a burden behind. Therefore, this pass is not just a pass that tests your physical ability but also your spiritual belief.
Gauri Kund – The Lake of Compassion
Below the sacred Dolma La Pass, there is a holy Lake Gauri Kund, also known to be the “Lake of Compassion”. This vibrant lake holds spiritual significance in Hindu tradition as this lake is believed to the part of Goddess Parvati, also known as Gauri, where the goddess performed self-punishment.
According to many historical stories, this lake is the very spot where goddess Parvati used to take a bath, and climbers or pilgrims today take home this holy water as a blessing. Direct descent is dangerous and restricted for most pilgrims. Many pilgrims and trekkers pause to offer prayers from above.
The beauty of Gauri Kund is commendable. Shiny snow and rock make this lake breathtaking. For many, this Lake acts as a retreat from the difficult path of Dolma La Pass.
The Physical Challenge of Crossing Dolma La Pass
Dolma La Pass is the toughest crossing. The toughest part of the entire Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, which starts from Dirapuk, a place where trekkers have to face steep ascent for several hours in thin air, and at high altitude, where every step feels heavy.
This whole trek is like battling with extreme cold, unpredictable snowfall, and icy cold wind. Ascend will take you approximately 4 to 6 hours, while descending towards Zuthulpuk can take you approximately 3 to 4 hours, making your whole trek approximately 8 to 10 hours of trekking. Challenging and steep slopes require your physical stamina and mental resilience. Your determination plays a huge role here.
Aside from the difficulty, pilgrims take this day as a memorable experience. The execution while ascending and descending feels like an achievement.
Preparing for Dolma La Pass
Here are some tips mentioned to help you prepare for Dolma La Pass.
Acclimatization
You have to spend most of the days and hours at a high altitude where the air is slightly thinner. Before attempting the Parikrama plan, proper acclimatization is required to help you from burning.
Fitness Training
Attempting Dolma La Pass requires physical strength as it is the toughest part of the journey. Try doing cardiovascular activities such as cycling, swimming, and running to build stamina. Strength and stamina will help you go through the difficulty you are going to face while attempting Dolma La Pass.
Gear essentials
Here are some trekking gear essentials you will need: trekking poles to maintain your balance, proper layered clothing to help you get through harsh weather conditions, water waterproof jacket, waterproof gloves, high-altitude boots, sunglasses, a charger, a Satellite phone, and lastly energy-rich snacks. Water purifying tablets are necessary.
Mental Readiness
You have to keep yourself mentally prepared to climb this challenging path. One should have a positive, determined, and strong mentality. To keep yourself mentally positive, consider doing meditation, chanting prayers, and mantras.
Best time to cross the Dolma La Pass
The best seasons to cross the Dolma La pass are late April – June and mid-September – mid-October, when the weather conditions are comparatively suitable. During this month, snow melts, which makes it easy to pass the trials. Even the skies are clearer.
Winter, from the month of November to March, is unfavorable due to heavy snowfall, subzero temperatures, and blocked trails. Same as winter, monsoon Season from the month of July to August increases the risk level due to landslides, slippery trails, and unpredictable weather.
Don’t think the best and favorable weather doesn’t brings any risk, as the weather at Dolma La Pass can change at any minute. So, trekkers and Pilgrims should prepare accordingly.
Pilgrim & Trekkers experience
Many of the pilgrims and Trekkers feel this trek to one of an emotional and rewarding Journey. The sights of the spiritual scenario, prayer Flags, and holy places make them feel attached to their soul. Some cry in relief and some cry in happiness as they bow to the goddess Dolma before crossing Dolma La Pass.
Some of the sayings of pilgrims and trekkers are mentioned below,
“The trek to Dolma la Pass tested my faith and pushed my endurance to its limits, but the strength I drew from the prayers and mantras carried me through,” and “Crossing Dolma la Pass was an intensely emotional experience, fulfilling a lifelong dream of completing the Mount Kailash kora”.
“I thought I could not take another step, but when I saw the flags and heard the chants, something carried me forward. It was as if the mountain itself gave me strength.”
For many people, physical burden seems nothing once they have achieved their goal to pass Dolma la Pass. One this that is very necessary is that you need to be determined to get to the height.
Travel Information
Permits
Mount Kailash lies in western Tibet, so all of the pilgrims and trekkers need to obtain permits, which are basically issued by the Chinese authorities. The Yatra is organized by authorized government-approved travel agencies in Nepal and India.
Support Team
roups include medical staff, guides, porters, and yaks. Porters and Yak are there for you to carry your belongings.
Group Size
Most of the group consists of ~15 to 30 people, which ensures both safety and companionship.
Emergency Protocols
In case of any difficulties like altitude sickness, there are facilities for jeeps and horses. Oxygen supplies are often available.
Accommodation
Pilgrims can stay in the basic guesthouses and tents along the routes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How difficult is Dolma La Pass?
Dolma La Pass is the toughest part of the entire Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. This requires determination, physical stamina, and proper acclimatization.
What altitude problems may occur?
Altitude problems that may occur are altitude sickness, breathlessness, headache, fatigue, and nausea, which is basically occurred due to thin air and lack of oxygen.
Do all pilgrims attempt the full pass?
Yes, pilgrims attempt the full pass as it is one of the important parts of Parikrama; however, if the condition is worse, some of them return.
How long does it take to cross Dolma La Pass?
It will take ~ 6 to 8 hours, depending on the weather conditions and fitness.
Is Gauri Kund accessible to everyone?
Gauri Kund is not always accessible due to a steep path, which is very difficult for pilgrims, so most of the pilgrim offers prayers from above.
Can elderly pilgrims cross Dolma La safely?
Yes, elderly pilgrims can cross Dolma La Safely with proper preparation, planned acclimatization, and support of yaks and porters. Many of the elderly pilgrims have successfully crossed Dolma La.
What is the best season for the Kailash Parikrama?
Months from April to September are the best season for the Kailash Parikarma.
Conclusion
Dolma La Pass is one of the spiritually as well as physically tiring journeys. It is the toughest part of the entire Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. This yatra challenges your body but uplifts your heart and soul. Crossing Dolma La Pass is not just about reaching the highest point of the trek; it is about feeling the spiritual energy, taking blessings, and enjoying the raw beauty of the Himalayas. This journey will teach you to let go of the burden in life and regain new positive energy.
For Pilgrims crossing the Dolma La Pass is not about adventure, it is about their belief and faith. For trekkers, this journey is about the adventure of life lifetime. Dolma la pass is overall a holy destination, a destination that is believed to reconnect you with your soul. A journey that is a bridge between death and rebirth. This journey is meaningful to each and every person, whether he/she is a pilgrim or just a trekker seeking adventure.
The journey from Dolma La Pass to Kailash Mansarovar Yatra should be felt by each and every person. Are you ready to reconnect with the world?
