Himwatkhanda-Nepal and Kailash Mansovar the Original Land of Civilization

The beginning of human civilization has always remained a matter of research for us. Two centuries ago human beings did not have high-end technological creations such as engine-driven ships, motor vehicles, trains and airplanes. Then the developed and developing nations like America, Britain, Iraq, Egypt, and cities like Athens, Peking, Lassa, Delhi, Mumbai, Tokyo, Kathmandu, Jumla, Janakpur, Lumbini did not have communication channels. As people had not developed vehicles, the only channels of contact were horses, donkeys, camels, elephants, and ships. Although the basic development of humans took place simultaneously all over the world, people tend to give their own opinions as to the development of human civilization.

It is understood that human civilization started to advance since the Vedic age. The necessary dignity, tolerance and union are the source of social life. The Vedic age became the inspiration for world civilization in promoting a civilized system of life.

Civilized Humanity, Himwatkhanda Nepal and Bharatkhanda-India

Himwatkhanda-Nepal and Bharatkhanda-India were the two nations that bore civilized pattern of human lifestyle. Vedic-Hindu ideology, culture and civilization were spread all over the world from these two nations. The Vedic Rishi (Hindu ascetic saint) walked thousands of miles to spread the knowledge of Hindu civilization and systematic life style. Rishi used to say ‘Kriwanto Bishwomaryam’ meaning ‘lets make the world civilized’.

The world has bestowed high importance on the civilization resonant in Himwatkhanda Nepal and India. Countries around the world adopted the social structure and values of the two nations. In terms of the gestation of civilization Himwatkhanda Nepal and India both have uniformity which goes back to the ancient times.

Historian Yogi Naraharinath defines a Hindu as a person who has dwelling and state in the area between Kailash Mansovar to Hindamahasagar (India Ocean). The Himalayan region is the oldest in the world in terms of civilization. Human history is the oldest here in this land. Manu was born here; Vedas were born here and Upanishad was born here in Terai.

World civilization is the main objective of our ideology

Hindu Holy Land

In this sense, Nepal and India are taken as the holy land for Hindus. From the Bhramhaputra River in the East to Hindukush Mountain in the west, from Kailash Mansovar in the North to Ganga to the south – this area is known as Himwatkhanda. The land from Ganga to Hindamahasagar (Indian Ocean) is known as Bharatkhanda.

Philosophy Of The Vedas

The philosophy of the Vedas was born of Shruti which was the source of guidance for human life style, creation and civilization in these two nations. Due to foreign invasion, the Hindu dignity in India was destroyed. The increasing English attack on Hindu dignity in India spread to Nepal. But the great King of Gorkha Prithvinarayan Shah unified the princely states in Himwatkhanda to save the Vedic Hindu ancient religion, Buddhism’s sovereign existence, and dignity from foreign attack. So Nepal was never defiled.

The Rishis had sought the support of Panchayan Gods and Goddesses to guide the Vedic civilization. Rishis were the creators of human civilization while Lord Shiva was the inspiration for Rishis. Lord Shiva resided in Kailash Mansovar. When we talk of Lord Shiva, it is suitable to talk of mighty residence Kailash Mansovar around the vicinity of which Rishis meditated and traveled.

Amar Adhikary Travels To Kailash Mansovar

One of the religious visitors, Amar Adhikary, writes of his experience in traveling to Kailash Mansovar – ‘When traveling to Kailash Mansovar we reach the Nyalam Bazaar in Tibet through Khasa. To reach Khasa we had to travel through Kodari highway. From Nyalam we travelled to commercial hub Dodawa Bazaar that is located at the banks of Bhramhaputra River and then Sanga Bazaar.

The path that leads to Kailash Mansovar is mesmerizing. To the south we can view series of Himalayan mountains and to the north we are faced with a plain grassland extending to the peaks of hills where goats, yaks, and horses are seen grazing. On the path towards Mansovar lies a huge blue lake named ‘Rakshyas Taal (Devil Lake)’. The lake surrounds Mansovar. As we reached Mansovar our views riveted on the inviting lake with the color of sea adorned with king swans, surrounded by lofty mountains and to the north Kailash, shaped like a Shivalinga (conical stone symbolizing Lord Shiva). After we reached Mansovar we took a bath and encircled the Kailash Mountain.

While doing this those who do not like to walk have the choice of riding on horse. Having 14 km into the journey we came to Derapok that lies at the height of 4910 meter and where we find blessed with the opportunity to see Kailash at its magnificence. There are facilities for guest houses. After completely going round the Kailash we went round to Astaparwat (Asta Mountain).

During a visit to Himalaya, Dattataya Rishi was told the importance of Mansovar that was created by Bramha. That place was ashram of the Rishis. It is believed that Lord Shiva himself rides on a king swan to encircle Mansovar. The belief is that during this time the Gods that reside around Mansovar’s vicinity came to take a bath. The Mansovar spread over 400 sq. km is described in Sankapurana as well. It is believed that Satidevi’s right hand had fallen over Mansovar. So a Shilla (religiously important stone) is worshipped as symbolizing her. This is a center of power as well. Mansovar is the source of the Bramhaputra River, Sindhu, Satjal and Karnali River. The diameter of Kailash Mountain is 43 km and its height is 6714 meters above sea level.

Ancient Stories Of Gods, Devils, Holy Places

According to ancient stories, apart from Lord Shiva, Bramha, and devils Marich, Ravan, Bhasmasur among others had meditated at Mansorovar. The area was traversed by Byas, Bhim, Krishna, Datatraya among other Gods. Adhi Sankaracharya died here. Kailash, adorned on all sides by Meru Sumeru, Susumna, Hemadri, Devgan among other hills, is a bounty of natural beauty. This mountain is a common holy place for purging all Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and Sikhs. The mountain lies 933 km from Kathmandu. It can be reached by bus or motor. Kailash Mansovar welcomes 30,000 tourists from Nepal, India, Bhutan, Vietnam and Russia among them Indians make the most tourists each year. Yes, to visit Kailash Mansorover is not an easy task. Due to the altitude sickness every year some people die on the Kailash journey. There should be health checks at every location with doctors. Proper medicines, medical measures and other eating matters should be carried.

If we are to define time in short – Rishis had divided the incessant time to four eras of Satya, Treta, Dwapar, and Kaliyug; on the basis of which, human civilization ascends and descends. To give continuity to human civilization and social management, human beings age was determined at 100. Humans generally have two kinds of desires as Ihalaukik (living time) and Parlaukik (expired time).

Desires are the result of our heart promoting our deep consciousness and what we see through our eyes. We find all facts in Panchayan Puja (worship) done as per ancient Vedic Hindu tradition. All people of Bhramin or Dalit castes can worship and pray to God equally. To adopt a rigid policy of discrimination towards other castes is an attempt to destabilize religious harmony. Since the Lichavi era, Nepalese society has been an example of co-existence among Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Sikhs among others in praying for Gods Ganesh, Surya, Shiva, Bishnu and Bagmati. However, since almost six-seven decades earlier the Panchayan Gods have been disrespected. Various sects have emerged in Hindu religion as Krishnapranami, Baisnav, Radhe-Radhe, Bramhakumari, who are dedicated Hindus, among others. There is an effort to identify these sects as separate from Hinduism. It is a conspiracy, an attack on Vedic Hindu tradition.

Vedic Hindu Tradition Craves World Harmony

Vedic Hindus say – ‘May all be happy in the world; no one be subject to pain and disease; may all be blessed; all humans are our relatives.’ The Vedic ancient Hindu tradition is in itself great that craves world harmony. Vedas, Upanishad and Puranas (religious stories) are the gifts of this Himwatkhanda. Thousands of years ago King Janak developed truthfulness in Mithila state. Maitreyi (mother) and Yagyabalkya like great saints had written Vedic hymns of the Vedas. There were many women like Anushuya -wife of Artri, created Richa of Vedas. Balmiki Rishi wrote Ramayan at the Balmiki ashram in Chitwan. Thirty three hundred years ago King Ashoka married off his daughter Charumati to well cultured and civilized Devpal of Chetri caste in Devpatan-near by Pashupatinath. Bashista Rishi was Guru (Teacher) of Ram. His dwelling place was at Devghat in a Bashista Gufa (cave). We can still see Bashista Gufa. Bishista Rishi has mentioned about Himwatkhanda in Upanishad- ‘Bharatbarshe Uttarayane Himalaya Tate Swarnabhumi Swargabhumi’ (the northern part of the sub continent is land of golden land of heaven). If we are to take this into our heart we will know the greatness of this land. Kalidash has made a mention in the first syllabus of Kumar Sambav- ‘The east to west Himalaya is Arya land.’ Since time immemorial Rishis’ sheer meditation and effort has produced Upanishad, Puranas, Upanisadhs, Ramayan, religious scriptures, state’s statutes and ideologies that have decorated this land from Kailash Mansovar to Ganga. The contribution of Rishis to development and expansion of civilization from this land is immeasurable.

Greatness Supplanted By Traitors And Corruption

However, with the scale of development of civilization the scale of degeneration has equally increased. Rishimunis (Rishis) have been supplanted by Sisimunis (corrupt tendencies) that has contributed in development of diabolic culture superseding the human civilization. To rid the nation of such corruption and such traitors, we Nepalese must once again remember the greatness, civilization and rise of Himwatkhanda-Nepal, and let’s show our status as the senior-most civilized people of the world with the Hindu monarchy and Hindu-Kingdom.

Dirgha Raj Prasai is a former Member of Parliament in Nepal, a political analyst who writes from Kathmandu.