Ngari – The Western Part of Tibet
Ngari which is popularly known as Toe Ngari Kor Sum -the three circuits of Ngari, lies in the northwestern part of Tibet. Ngari boasts of its long history, rich culture, holy mountains and turquoise lakes, source of Asia’s major rivers, and a heavenly sanctuary for wildlife. During the reign of the great king Srongtsen Gampo who unified whole Tibet into a massive Tibetan empire, Ngari was then a separate kingdom called Shang-Shung. King Srongtsen Gampo even offered his own royal sister to the king of Shang-Shung to facilitate diplomatic ties. Shang-Shung is considered the epicenter of Tibetan civilization and culture. The first native religion of Tibet-Bon religion originated in Shang-Shung which is practiced in many parts of Tibet even today. Bon is the basis of many Tibetan Buddhist culture such as hoisting prayer flags, dough sculpture offering, worshipping the four elements, burning incense among others. It is believed that Shang-Shung had its own written script before king Srongtsen Gonpo founded Tibetan scripture.
It was during the reign of another great king of Tibet- Trisong Deu Tsen, Ngari was brought under the great Tibetan Empire. In 10th century when the Tibetan empire dismantled, Keyde Nyima- a lineage of King Srongtsen Gampo escaped towards Ngari. Keyde Nyima then established his own kingdom in Ngari who bored three princes. He then divided Ngari into three ruling sub kingdoms-Mang-yul (Lhadak), Purang and Guge. His three sons ruled each of these sub-kingdoms. Among them Guge kingdom became the highlight of the era, playing a vital role in revival and promotion of Tibetan Buddhism. Ngari also played a pivotal role in revival of Tibetan Buddhism when it completely lost its grip in central and other parts of Tibet after fragmentation of the great Tibet. In Tibetan history, it is termed as Tenpa Chedhar- the second advacement of Buddhism.
Presently Ngari Prefecture in Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) is divided into seven zones viz. Ghar, Ruthok, Tsadha, Purang, Gheghe, Ghertse, Chuchen, and Lungkar. Before 1959 prior to Chinese invasion and occupation of Tibet, there were additional zones such as Saga, Drongpa, Lektse etc. Ngari part of Tibet borders with India, Nepal, Pakistan, East Turkistan among others. Changthang- the great northern plains of Ngari are a heavenly sanctuary for wildlife in Tibet. Local Tibetans in Ngari boast in a saying, “If your mare has gallop, the northern grassland is unlimited.” This grassland serves as a habitat for over 40 protected animals including exclusive species like the Tibetan antelope, wild yak, kiang (Tibetan wild ass), black-naked crane, Tibetan gazelle, and Tibetan snow cock. (Tour Tibet Travel,2024). Surveys have identified over 30 mammal species, more than 90 bird species, and several species of fish unique to the Tibetan plateau.
Ngari is also renowned for Mt. Kailash, which is considered the holiest mountain in the world. It is revered not only by Buddhist but also by Hindus, Jains, and Bonpos. People from all over Tibet come to Ngari to pay homage and circumambulate the holy Mt. Kailash. For Hindus, Mt. Kailash is regarded as the abode of Lord Shiva and embarking on a pilgrimage to the holy Mt. Kailash and taking a body dip in Lake Mansorawa is a ‘must fulfil dream in a lifetime’ for Hindus. Similarly, the founders of Jain and Bonpo also meditated at Mt. Kailash and hence the followers possess a deep root spiritual connection with the mountain. Mt. Kailash is also the water tower of all the major rivers of Asia-the Indus, the Bharmaputra, the Karnali, and the Sutlej. Ngari is a land of mystic, mysteries, and mesmirization which you can explore in depth and detail.