Yam Dwar

Yam Dwar is one of the most mysterious places near Mount Kailash. It is called Chorten Kang Nagyi in the local Tibetan language. It is called Tarboche in the Tibetan language. Hindus call Yam Dwar the Gate of Lord Yam. Lord Yam is the god of death in Hindu mythology. It is said that you will have to cross Yam Dwar on your Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. Yam Dwar is also the starting point from where the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra starts.

The Geographical Location of Yam Dwar

Yam Dwar is located near Mount Kailash. From Darchen, which is the base for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, Yam Dwar is within 30 minutes of walking distance. Yam Dwar is geographically located near Darchen, in Ngari Prefecture in Tibet Autonomous Region of China. This is a region where the borders of China, Nepal, and India are very close. Yam Dwar falls on the route to Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.

Mysteries About Yam Dwar

Yam Dwar is a very mysterious place. The mystery about Yam Dwar makes this even more attractive.

• You cannot stay overnight at Yam Dwar. It is said that ghosts kill people who stay here overnight.
• It is a very popular belief that you cannot look back at Yam Dwar once you have crossed it. One should keep on looking straight and go on trekking on the route without looking back. You must keep trekking till you lose sight of Yam Dwar.
• In the past, many people who stayed in Yam Dwar for a night died for unknown reasons. There is still no answer to why these people died.
• The research was done on the stones that were used in the construction of Yam Dwar. But from where the stones were brought is still a mystery that has not been solved.

Meaning of Yam Dwar

‘Yam’ is the god of death in Hindu mythology. ‘Dwar’ means a gate. Thus the meaning of Yam Dwar is “The Gate of Yam”. In Tibetan Buddhist traditions, the place is called by the name Chorten Kang Nagyi, which also means a ‘two-legged stupa’.

Yam Dwar for the Hindus

Hindus believe that Lord Yam, or Yamraj, as is the popular name of the god protects the entire route of the Kailash region. According to a popular story in ancient Vedic scriptures, Lord Yam promised Lord Shiva that he will not allow anyone with negative energies or intentions to go on Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. This is why Lord Yam personally guards Yam Dwar. This is the reason why some people with negative energies fall sick during or after doing Kailash Mansarovar Parikrama.

Only those with a positive attitude and intentions can complete their Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. This is the real motive behind the reason why you should pass through Yam Dwar. By doing this, you will leave all negative energies at Yam Dwar itself, and then only you can do your Kailash Mansarovar Parikrama successfully without falling ill.