Manasi Parekh completes Kailash Yatra: 'One of the best days of my life'
Synopsis
Actress Manasi Parekh's Kailash Yatra was no ordinary celebrity trip — she trekked nearly 20 km through rain at high altitude during the rare Tibetan Year of the Horse, when the pilgrimage is believed to carry the merit of 13 completions. Her candid, practical account — castor oil for nosebleeds, carb-heavy breakfasts, slow steps at altitude — is as grounded as it is spiritual.
Key Takeaways
Manasi Parekh completed the Kailash Yatra , sharing the experience via Instagram on 29 August .
The trek covered nearly 20 km at high altitude through rain, with the final 1 km completed on horseback.
2025 is the Tibetan Year of the Horse , when the Yatra is considered equivalent to completing it 13 times .
Parekh set off from Yamdwar at 5 a.m. , describing the gateway as a symbolic shedding of one's old self.
She called the first sighting of the east face of Mount Kailash 'one of the best days of my life.'
Actress-filmmaker Manasi Parekh has completed her Kailash Yatra, calling it one of the most profound experiences of her life. Sharing a detailed video on Instagram on Saturday, 29 August, she walked followers through every stage of the gruelling high-altitude pilgrimage — from a 5 a.m. wake-up call to the first glimpse of Mount Kailash.
The Journey Begins at Yamdwar
Parekh described setting off from Yamdwar, the symbolic gateway of the Yatra. 'Symbolically, it means that you forget your old self, all your complaints and problems, forgetting everything. You are walking towards your new, spiritual, higher self,' she said in the video. Thousands of fellow pilgrims joined the trek, adding to the collective energy of the journey.
20 km on Foot at High Altitude
The trek covered nearly 20 km at high altitude through rain and difficult terrain. Parekh wore a poncho against the downpour and quickly realised she had underestimated the physical demands. 'I'm realising that walking so fast at high altitude — oh my God, I underestimated it. It's not easy. So, I'm walking slowly, slowly, slowly,' she admitted. She carried dried fruits packed by her mother and emphasised the importance of high-carbohydrate breakfasts and applying sunblock generously — practical tips she offered to future pilgrims. She also noted that applying castor oil in the nose helps prevent nosebleeds at altitude.
Year of the Horse: A Once-in-a-Cycle Significance
Parekh highlighted that 2025 falls in the Tibetan Year of the Horse, a detail that gave her pilgrimage added spiritual weight. According to Tibetan tradition, completing the Kailash Yatra in the Year of the Horse is considered equivalent to undertaking the journey 13 times. 'The Year of the Horse is all about surrender, transformation and dissolution. And I think this Yatra is definitely that and much more for me,' she said.
First Sight of Kailash
For the final 1 km, Parekh rode a horse alongside her Sherpa. The moment she spotted the east face of Mount Kailash was, by her own account, transformative. 'After seeing the east end, I felt at peace. Everything felt worth it,' she said. She captioned her Instagram post: 'Walking to Kailash in the Year of the Horse according to Tibetan culture is equal to doing it 13 times! What a special year and a special journey that will be etched in my heart forever.'
What's Next
Parekh has not announced any immediate professional projects tied to the trip, but the detailed documentation she shared suggests the experience may inform future creative work. For her growing fanbase, the video has already become a reference point for those planning their own Kailash pilgrimage.
Point of View
But Parekh's account stands apart for its practical detail — altitude tips, nutrition advice, candid admissions of physical struggle. That specificity gives it genuine utility beyond the inspirational. What's also worth noting is the timing: the Tibetan Year of the Horse draws significantly larger pilgrim numbers, raising questions about trail management and safety infrastructure at high altitude that rarely get coverage alongside the spiritual narrative.
NationPress
29 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Kailash Yatra and why is it significant?
The Kailash Yatra is a high-altitude pilgrimage to Mount Kailash in Tibet, considered sacred in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Bon traditions. Pilgrims walk a circuit around the mountain, with the journey regarded as spiritually purifying.
Why is the Kailash Yatra in 2025 considered especially auspicious?
2025 falls in the Tibetan Year of the Horse, when completing the Kailash Yatra is traditionally believed to carry the merit of undertaking the pilgrimage 13 times. Manasi Parekh specifically highlighted this as a key reason the year felt special.
How far did Manasi Parekh walk during the Kailash Yatra?
Parekh walked nearly 20 km at high altitude, braving rain for much of the route. She rode a horse for the final 1 km stretch, accompanied by her Sherpa.
What practical tips did Manasi Parekh share for the Kailash Yatra?
Parekh recommended applying castor oil inside the nose to prevent altitude-induced nosebleeds, eating a carbohydrate-heavy breakfast before the trek, and using generous amounts of sunblock. She also advised walking slowly at high altitude to manage exertion.
Where does the Kailash Yatra begin?
The trek begins at Yamdwar, which Parekh described as a symbolic starting point where pilgrims are meant to leave behind their old self and past troubles before walking toward a spiritual transformation.
