Charan Sparsh, in literal meaning, is the combination of two Sanskrit words: “Charan,” which means feet and “Sparsh,” which means touch, which, as a whole, is feet touching, a sacred act of reverence or respect in Hinduism. It is a commonly practiced Hindu ritual of bowing down to someone and touching their feet in reverence. Kailash Charan Sparsh is the act of touching the base/feet of Mount Kailash, which is considered the holy abode of Lord Shiva and his consort, Mata Parvati. The mountain with an elevation of 6638 m is located in the remote Tibetan Himalayas.

The unclimbable Mount Kailash, the untamed Mount Kailash or whatever name is given to the majestic Mount Kailash, remains a symbol of spiritual reverence and natural beauty. Numerous attempts have been made to climb the mountain; however, nobody has been successful in doing so, adding to its mystical allure. While the summit of this holy mountain is restricted, pilgrims participate in the challenging pilgrimage, the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, to get as close as possible to the sacred peak, performing Kailash Charan Sparsh. This practice is believed to create a spiritual connection between the devotees and the deity Lord Shiva, who is closely associated with Mount Kailash, adding to the great spiritual benefit in life. Additionally, along with the closeness to the divine, the pilgrims can also feel the spiritual energy throughout the whole journey to the Charan Sparsh.

Learn Why: Mount Kailash is Unclimbable

Mount Kailash is a spiritual giant revered by various religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Bon. The spiritual practices performed in its vicinity are equally significant. Hence, the Kailash Charan Sparsh, as the act of touching the feet of Mount Kailash is signified closely by the Hindus. Here are some significances of this sacred practice:

Spiritual Significance

Making a strenuous journey to Mount Kailash and touching its feet is believed to carry numerous spiritual benefits like purification, connection to divine presence, receiving blessings, and many more. Each step is filled with divine energy due to the presence of various spiritual sites on the way, like the sacred Lake Mansarovar, Derapuk Monasteries, and others.

Connection to Divine

In Hinduism, the feet of gods, saints, and sages are often worshipped as a channel through which divine energy is flown. Mount Kailash is the holy abode of Lord Shiva, the supreme deity in Hinduism, where Kailash Charan Sparsh means touching the feet of this sacred mountain, which is like touching the feet of Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati.

Cultural Practice

The practice of touching the feet of the divine is a traditional custom in Hinduism that has been passed down from generations. It's a way to show respect and acknowledgement to the divine. So, it is connected with the person's cultural character pursuing spiritual growth.

The journey of Kailash Charan Sparsh is a journey filled with devotion, as Mount Kailash is considered the holy abode of Lord Shiva in Hinduism, with it being a sacred site in Buddhism, Bon, and Jainism as well. The Kailash Charan Sparsh is a ritual performed, which is actually a detour during the actual Kailash Parikrama, where the pilgrims can touch one specific point of Mount Kailash on the northern side, believed to be filled with divine energy.

In the 52 KM journey of Kailash Parikrama, Darchen is the base from where the trek begins. To reach there one must cross the Nepal-Tibet border either via Kyirong, Simikot, or Lhasa. Once the border is crossed, travellers will pass through various towns like Kyirong, Saga, Mansarovar, and Darchen by drive. As the drive ends, the trek starts, passing from Yam Dwar to Derapuk, which is the starting point of the Charan Sparsh journey. The trek from Derapuk to the Charan Sparsh location is about 7 KM and will take around 6 hours for the round trip altogether. On the way you will encounter difficult terrain to navigate around. As challenging as the journey is, the combination of drive and trek creates a perfect adventure spiritual journey.

Related Read: How to Reach Kailash Mansarovar

The act of touching the feet of Mount Kailash holds a deep spiritual significance. However, this seemingly easy gesture can lead to a difficult journey for the pilgrims. The difficulty of Kailash Charan Sparsh is primarily physical conditions, including altitude, climate, and terrains surrounding Mount Kailash. The pilgrims undertake the pilgrimage that lasts for several days amidst this environment, which can be extremely demanding. The Kailash Charan Sparsh, being a part of Kailash Kora, is 7 KM further from Derapuk to the Charan Sparsh point, which is at the northern base of the mountain. Derapuk, at an elevation of about 4700 m, serves as the base for this journey. The journey can be challenging, especially for those who are not used to such an extreme high altitude environment and rough terrain covered in snow and ice.

This journey is believed to be the path of purification and enlightenment where pilgrims are seen pushing their limits and are required to endure the difficulties in search of the divine blessings. However, as long as the pilgrims are well prepared for these challenges, one can easily get through it. From the high-altitude preparation to acclimatization and packing lists, everything plays a significant role in making your journey successful. Moreover, choosing a responsible Kailash tour operator also makes a difference. 

The rituals of Charan Sparsh are mostly related to the tradition and practice of Hinduism. Firstly, the pilgrims must reach the Charan Sparsh point at the northern side of Mount Kailash. The rituals might be different according to the personal preference of showing their devotion to the deities. However, generally it includes simple gestures such as joining the hands, bowing down to the revered and touching the feet. Some of the rituals are:

Hand Gesture

In the Hindu tradition, people usually join their hands together either to greet hello, goodbye, or show reverence to the deities. Pilgrims perform this gesture when approaching the Charan Sparsh point to show their respect to the almighty Lord Shiva. 

Bow Down

Bowing down is showing that you recognize the wisdom, gratefulness, and compassion of the one in front of you. In Kailash Charan Sparsh, bowing down means you’re acknowledging the power of the Lord Shiva, who is believed to reside on Mount Kailash. 

Touching the Feet

This is a major part of Kailash Charan Sparsh, which in actuality means touching the feet. The pilgrims touch the point of Mount Kailash at the north side. They are often seen touching the feet either by hand or by their head. This act is believed to be the direct way to seek blessing from the divine and gain spiritual benefit in life.

Puja 

Many pilgrims believe the puja to be the integral part of Kailash Charan Sparsh. It involves offering flowers and tika to the divine, lighting the incense as a symbol of devotion. This puja is performed to honor Lord Shiva and seek his blessings.

Also Read: 10 Must Know Things before Visiting Kailash Mansarovar

The Kailash Charan Sparsh might seem easy but actually is very demanding. With the high altitude, weather, difficult terrains, and all, the pilgrims need to be well prepared for it. So, one must acknowledge various things to carefully prepare the journey, including the best time to visit, packing list, and health considerations. All these make the pilgrim's journey easy and successful. 

Best Time to Visit

The Charan Sparsh, being part of the Kailash Yatra, is ideal to visit from May till September. During these months the weather is more favourable with moderate temperatures for the journey. However, even in those months one can choose their preferred dates. If you’re okay with a little bit of rain or snow, June and July are ideal but can be a little bit crowded. If you prefer a quiet environment, then August and September are good times with occasional snowfalls.

Learn More: Best time to Visit Kailash Mansarovar

Packing

Packing is a crucial part of preparing for the Kailash Charan Sparsh, as one needs to stay safe from the unpredictable weather conditions, navigate difficult terrains, and cope with the high-altitude environment. The essential items include the trekking gear, clothing layers, and a light backpack. Other requirements are the necessary documents, including the permits and first aid items, which can include your personal medications. Additionally, you might carry your spiritual materials to perform the rituals in this sacred region. Every item mentioned is very much significant, as each and every factor of the journey is directly related to your experiences, which can either make or break your journey.

Learn More: Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Packing List

Health Tips

The journey takes pilgrims to high altitudes where the air is thin, leading to altitude sickness and maintaining good health is paramount. Proper acclimatization, slow ascent, and constant hydration help to cope with the altitude. The long days of trekking can be both physically and mentally exhausting. Being physically fit, starting your daily exercises before the journey, and consulting a doctor before the trip are all crucial to ensure a safe pilgrimage. Also, acknowledging the challenges of the journey beforehand can help pilgrims deal with mental resilience. 

The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in the Tibet Autonomous region involves various spiritual rituals, out of which Kailash Charan Sparsh is one of them. Kailash Charan Sparsh is believed to be the most revered practice of touching the feet of Mount Kailash. By doing the Charan Sparsh, pilgrims are said to achieve great spiritual benefit and blessings in life. Performing this means the devotees have recognized and acknowledged the wisdom and compassion of Lord Shiva, believed to have been residing in Mount Kailash.

Regardless of the various challenges and hardships involved in this journey, the significance and rewards it presents outweigh them. The article explores the essence of Kailash Charan Sparsh addressing what, why, how, when of this spiritual practice making the pilgrims to approach the Yatra with better understanding. With proper planning and preparation, the pilgrims will be able to dodge the difficulties and fulfill their spiritual desires, eventually returning with blessings and a sense of peace.

Must Read: Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in 2025

Here are some frequently asked questions related to Kailash Charan Sparsh: 

What is Kailash Charan Sparsh?

Kailash Charan Sparsh is the act of touching the feet i.e the base of Mount Kailash which has a specific point at the northern side of the mountain.This practice is believed to bring immense spiritual benefits to the pilgrims. 

Is climbing Mount Kailash allowed?

No, climbing Mount Kailash is not allowed. However, previously various attempts have been made to climb the mountain which have not been successful. In recent conditions, the mountain is banned to climb to preserve its spiritual significance.

Why is Kailash Charan Sparsh done?

Performing the Kailash Charan Sparsh is done to show the devotion of the pilgrims to Lord Shiva who is believed to reside in Mount Kailash. It is also believed that this act is done to seek blessings of the divine and gain spiritual benefit from it.