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World's most expensive kebab costs £750

Chef creates don of doners

Don ... most expensive kebab in the world at £750
Don ... most expensive kebab in the world at £750

A CHEF has created the most expensive kebab in the world.

The dish has moved on from being a humble doner to include saffron-infused flat bread, milk-fed lamb from the Pyrenees and even edible GOLD.
The aptly titled 'King of Kebabs' uses gold leaf for a finishing flourish and champagne-infused mint and cucumber yoghurt completes the luxury — no wonder it costs a whopping £750.
Chef Andy Bates created the kebab to mark the launch of The Great Food Truck Race TV show, celebrating street food.
Andy said: "It took a fair bit of time to source the best possible ingredients to ensure that this kebab was the most exclusive one out there but I loved every minute."

Feast ... Sun man Lup tucks into kebab
Feast ... Sun man Lup tucks into kebab
The breakdown in full for the ultimate doner is:
Shoulder of milk-fed lamb - £84
Coeur de Boeuf tomatoes - £20
Micro Cress and Bibb Salad - £11.95
Chili Peppers - £35
Barrel Aged Feta Cheese - £54.20
Laudemio Extra Virgin Olive Oil - £26.95
Purple violet potatoes - £15
Edible gold leaf and platinum - £130
Saffron - £138
Krug Champagne - £195
Other ingredients (garlic, lemon, salsa, mint, cucumber, yoghurt) - £40
Total: £750.10


  • The Great Food Truck Race airs on June 6 on Food Network UK.

  • World's most expensive kebab costs £750

    Chef creates don of doners

    Don ... most expensive kebab in the world at £750
    Don ... most expensive kebab in the world at £750

    A CHEF has created the most expensive kebab in the world.

    The dish has moved on from being a humble doner to include saffron-infused flat bread, milk-fed lamb from the Pyrenees and even edible GOLD.
    The aptly titled 'King of Kebabs' uses gold leaf for a finishing flourish and champagne-infused mint and cucumber yoghurt completes the luxury — no wonder it costs a whopping £750.
    Chef Andy Bates created the kebab to mark the launch of The Great Food Truck Race TV show, celebrating street food.
    Andy said: "It took a fair bit of time to source the best possible ingredients to ensure that this kebab was the most exclusive one out there but I loved every minute."

    Feast ... Sun man Lup tucks into kebab
    Feast ... Sun man Lup tucks into kebab
    The breakdown in full for the ultimate doner is:
    Shoulder of milk-fed lamb - £84
    Coeur de Boeuf tomatoes - £20
    Micro Cress and Bibb Salad - £11.95
    Chili Peppers - £35
    Barrel Aged Feta Cheese - £54.20
    Laudemio Extra Virgin Olive Oil - £26.95
    Purple violet potatoes - £15
    Edible gold leaf and platinum - £130
    Saffron - £138
    Krug Champagne - £195
    Other ingredients (garlic, lemon, salsa, mint, cucumber, yoghurt) - £40
    Total: £750.10


  • The Great Food Truck Race airs on June 6 on Food Network UK.

  • Four days off to toast the Queen

    BRITS will enjoy a DOUBLE bank holiday celebration during the Queen's Diamond Jubilee next year, it was confirmed today.

    A special four-day party will mark the 60th anniversary of the Queen's reign in June.
    The traditional bank holiday at the end of May will roll back to June 4 - with an extra day off on June 5.
    It means Brits will enjoy a break consisting of Saturday to Tuesday, during which Diamond Jubilee beacons will be lit across the country, Buckingham Palace announced.
    A service of thanksgiving will be held at St Paul's Cathedral and a formal carriage procession staged.
    It will be one of a series of national set-piece events and grassroots community celebrations.
    There will be a televised BBC concert in Buckingham Palace — expected to be watched by millions.
    Let's celebrate ... Brits will get two days off to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee
    Let's celebrate ... Brits will get two days off to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee
    A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: "All the details are to be worked out over the coming year."
    The Queen, an avid horse breeder and racer, will attend the Epsom Derby on the Saturday of the 2012 Diamond Jubilee weekend.
    Big Jubilee Lunch street parties - where neighbours and friends across the UK can come together to mark the landmark anniversary - will take place on Sunday June 3.
    The BBC concert on Monday June 4 is expected to feature British and Commonwealth musicians and is open to the public, with tickets being allocated by ballot.

    60-year reign ... the Queen's coronation in 1953
    60-year reign ... the Queen's coronation in 1953
    That day the network of Diamond Jubilee Beacons — 2012 in total — will be lit across the UK, Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and the Commonwealth.
    As with the 2002 celebrations, which marked The Queen's Golden Jubilee, the monarch will light the National Beacon.

    Celebration ... street parties like those held during the Queen's Golden Jubilee to take place on June 3
    Celebration ... street parties like those held during the Queen's Golden Jubilee to take place on June 3
    REX
    The 60th year of The Queen's reign will be formally commemorated on Tuesday June 5 with the service of thanksgiving and carriage procession.
    A dedicated Diamond Jubilee website - www.direct.gov.uk/diamondjubilee - was launched today by the Government and will feature regularly updated public information about the royal milestone.
    The Buckingham Palace spokesman said the Queen's realms and other Commonwealth nations will be creating their own events to mark the occasion.

    Four days off to toast the Queen

    BRITS will enjoy a DOUBLE bank holiday celebration during the Queen's Diamond Jubilee next year, it was confirmed today.

    A special four-day party will mark the 60th anniversary of the Queen's reign in June.
    The traditional bank holiday at the end of May will roll back to June 4 - with an extra day off on June 5.
    It means Brits will enjoy a break consisting of Saturday to Tuesday, during which Diamond Jubilee beacons will be lit across the country, Buckingham Palace announced.
    A service of thanksgiving will be held at St Paul's Cathedral and a formal carriage procession staged.
    It will be one of a series of national set-piece events and grassroots community celebrations.
    There will be a televised BBC concert in Buckingham Palace — expected to be watched by millions.
    Let's celebrate ... Brits will get two days off to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee
    Let's celebrate ... Brits will get two days off to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee
    A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: "All the details are to be worked out over the coming year."
    The Queen, an avid horse breeder and racer, will attend the Epsom Derby on the Saturday of the 2012 Diamond Jubilee weekend.
    Big Jubilee Lunch street parties - where neighbours and friends across the UK can come together to mark the landmark anniversary - will take place on Sunday June 3.
    The BBC concert on Monday June 4 is expected to feature British and Commonwealth musicians and is open to the public, with tickets being allocated by ballot.

    60-year reign ... the Queen's coronation in 1953
    60-year reign ... the Queen's coronation in 1953
    That day the network of Diamond Jubilee Beacons — 2012 in total — will be lit across the UK, Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and the Commonwealth.
    As with the 2002 celebrations, which marked The Queen's Golden Jubilee, the monarch will light the National Beacon.

    Celebration ... street parties like those held during the Queen's Golden Jubilee to take place on June 3
    Celebration ... street parties like those held during the Queen's Golden Jubilee to take place on June 3
    REX
    The 60th year of The Queen's reign will be formally commemorated on Tuesday June 5 with the service of thanksgiving and carriage procession.
    A dedicated Diamond Jubilee website - www.direct.gov.uk/diamondjubilee - was launched today by the Government and will feature regularly updated public information about the royal milestone.
    The Buckingham Palace spokesman said the Queen's realms and other Commonwealth nations will be creating their own events to mark the occasion.

    Alex's cosy night with Nicola T

     Alex Reid and glamour model Nicola Tappenden
    Dinner date ... Nicola T and Alex Reid

    NICOLA T showed she was feeling the love as she stepped out with Alex Reid last night.

    The Celebrity Big Brother pals looked like they were enjoying each other's company at posh London restaurant Nobu.

    Chantelle-houghton
    Alex's new squeeze ... Chantelle Houghton
    They put their arms around each other as they left Nobu, with Nicola wearing a "feeling the love" vest top. They'd earlier been at the Sanctum Soho Hotel for the launch of Anouska London Jewellery.
    It would be surprising if the pair weren't comfortable together - as they were housemates in Celebrity Big Brother in January last year.
    Nicola, 28, even squeezed the spots on Katie Price's now estranged husband's back for him while they were on the reality show.
    They looked close despite both having other halves.
    Nicola has a two-year-old daughter Poppy with footballer Simon Walton. The pair had a huge bust-up in April after another woman admitted kissing him during a night out.

    Cage fighter Alex Reid and glamour model Nicola Tappenden wearing a top with the words Feeling The Love pictured arriving at the Nobu restaurant in Mayfair, London, UK. 01/06/2011
    Barrel of laughs ... Nicola T and Alex Reid
    GOTCHAIMAGES.COM
    Meanwhile, Alex, 35, is dating Chantelle Houghton, 27. The pair went away together last weekend to a spa in Watford. They hooked up after an awards bash last month and were later snapped on a date together.

    Venables had night out on anniversary of Bulger killing

    JAMES Bulger killer Jon Venables enjoyed a wild night out with his mates - exactly 16 years to the day after he murdered the two-year-old.

    A picture of Venables has surfaced on the internet which shows him grinning at a friend's birthday party.
    Because of a gagging order, the picture cannot be published - and disclosing the site is banned - even though it's been viewed by 1,500 people.
    The picture was taken on February 12, 2009 on the anniversary of defenceless James' murder.
    It is believed Venables drank heavily at the party which was held near to where he was living at the time.
    Venables and pal Robert Thompson killed James in Bootle, Merseyside in 1993 when they were both ten. They were found guilty of murder and released in 2001 with new identities.
    The photo has emerged after Venables, 28, was sent back to jail almost a year ago for downloading child porn.

    James Bulger
    Tragic ... James Bulger
    He was given a two-year sentence but is due to have his case reviewed by a parole board and may be released within weeks.
    James' family are furious that he could walk free again. Dad Ralph Bulger, 44, said: "The only fitting punishment for him is life imprisonment.
    "I urge the parole board to not just consider his latest crimes against children but to look at the whole picture which is that he is a murdering, predatory paedophile who poses an immediate risk to young children.
    "Nothing I do can ever bring James back but I will fight to my dying little James' breath to protect my other children and any other youngster from ever being a victim of Jon Venables again."
    Mum Denise Fergus, 43, added Venables should no longer have his identity protected, saying: "He's a criminal - not on a witness protection programme."

    Alex's cosy night with Nicola T

     Alex Reid and glamour model Nicola Tappenden
    Dinner date ... Nicola T and Alex Reid

    NICOLA T showed she was feeling the love as she stepped out with Alex Reid last night.

    The Celebrity Big Brother pals looked like they were enjoying each other's company at posh London restaurant Nobu.

    Chantelle-houghton
    Alex's new squeeze ... Chantelle Houghton
    They put their arms around each other as they left Nobu, with Nicola wearing a "feeling the love" vest top. They'd earlier been at the Sanctum Soho Hotel for the launch of Anouska London Jewellery.
    It would be surprising if the pair weren't comfortable together - as they were housemates in Celebrity Big Brother in January last year.
    Nicola, 28, even squeezed the spots on Katie Price's now estranged husband's back for him while they were on the reality show.
    They looked close despite both having other halves.
    Nicola has a two-year-old daughter Poppy with footballer Simon Walton. The pair had a huge bust-up in April after another woman admitted kissing him during a night out.

    Cage fighter Alex Reid and glamour model Nicola Tappenden wearing a top with the words Feeling The Love pictured arriving at the Nobu restaurant in Mayfair, London, UK. 01/06/2011
    Barrel of laughs ... Nicola T and Alex Reid
    GOTCHAIMAGES.COM
    Meanwhile, Alex, 35, is dating Chantelle Houghton, 27. The pair went away together last weekend to a spa in Watford. They hooked up after an awards bash last month and were later snapped on a date together.

    Venables had night out on anniversary of Bulger killing

    JAMES Bulger killer Jon Venables enjoyed a wild night out with his mates - exactly 16 years to the day after he murdered the two-year-old.

    A picture of Venables has surfaced on the internet which shows him grinning at a friend's birthday party.
    Because of a gagging order, the picture cannot be published - and disclosing the site is banned - even though it's been viewed by 1,500 people.
    The picture was taken on February 12, 2009 on the anniversary of defenceless James' murder.
    It is believed Venables drank heavily at the party which was held near to where he was living at the time.
    Venables and pal Robert Thompson killed James in Bootle, Merseyside in 1993 when they were both ten. They were found guilty of murder and released in 2001 with new identities.
    The photo has emerged after Venables, 28, was sent back to jail almost a year ago for downloading child porn.

    James Bulger
    Tragic ... James Bulger
    He was given a two-year sentence but is due to have his case reviewed by a parole board and may be released within weeks.
    James' family are furious that he could walk free again. Dad Ralph Bulger, 44, said: "The only fitting punishment for him is life imprisonment.
    "I urge the parole board to not just consider his latest crimes against children but to look at the whole picture which is that he is a murdering, predatory paedophile who poses an immediate risk to young children.
    "Nothing I do can ever bring James back but I will fight to my dying little James' breath to protect my other children and any other youngster from ever being a victim of Jon Venables again."
    Mum Denise Fergus, 43, added Venables should no longer have his identity protected, saying: "He's a criminal - not on a witness protection programme."

    Topless Aniston is in the drink

    Water babe ... Jennifer Aniston
    Water babe ... Jennifer Aniston

    GORGEOUS JENNIFER ANISTON sure has a lot of bottle as she poses topless in a new advert.

    The tasteful black and white shot, to promote mineral water, is in stark contrast to recent raunchy images of the star.
    The famously straight-laced actress, 42, paraded around in a racy bra, pants and suspenders set in scenes from her latest movie.
    The adult excerpts saw her provocatively playing with an ice pop as well.
    But there's no such questionable content associated with this shot.

    Ice cool ... Jennifer Aniston
    Ice cool ... Jennifer Aniston
    The star gently cups a breast with her right hand while leaning on her left elbow. A hint of a smile plays across her lips as she looks at the lens.
    Flick Horrible Bosses, released next month, sees Jen star as dentist Dr. Julia Harris, who's despised by her hygienist employee Dale, played by CHARLIE DAY.
    Two of Dale's pals also work for intolerable bosses - KEVIN SPACEY and COLIN FARRELL - and the three hatch a plan to enact their revenge.
    The unlucky-in-love actress was briefly linked to Hangover star BRADLEY COOPER recently, but remains single.

    Topless Aniston is in the drink

    Water babe ... Jennifer Aniston
    Water babe ... Jennifer Aniston

    GORGEOUS JENNIFER ANISTON sure has a lot of bottle as she poses topless in a new advert.

    The tasteful black and white shot, to promote mineral water, is in stark contrast to recent raunchy images of the star.
    The famously straight-laced actress, 42, paraded around in a racy bra, pants and suspenders set in scenes from her latest movie.
    The adult excerpts saw her provocatively playing with an ice pop as well.
    But there's no such questionable content associated with this shot.

    Ice cool ... Jennifer Aniston
    Ice cool ... Jennifer Aniston
    The star gently cups a breast with her right hand while leaning on her left elbow. A hint of a smile plays across her lips as she looks at the lens.
    Flick Horrible Bosses, released next month, sees Jen star as dentist Dr. Julia Harris, who's despised by her hygienist employee Dale, played by CHARLIE DAY.
    Two of Dale's pals also work for intolerable bosses - KEVIN SPACEY and COLIN FARRELL - and the three hatch a plan to enact their revenge.
    The unlucky-in-love actress was briefly linked to Hangover star BRADLEY COOPER recently, but remains single.

    Tulisa beaten by stylish Kelly

    Tulisa and Kelly
    Who is winning the style war? ... Tulisa Contostavlos and Kelly Rowland today

    KELLY Rowland won the style war with her X Factor rival Tulisa Contostavlos for the second day running today.

    The Destiny's Child singer looked glamorous as the judges left their Birmingham hotel for the next day of auditions.
    Kelly, 30, donned a white, black and brown block print maxi dress with a plunging neckline, which she teamed up with tan wedges.
    Meanwhile, Tulisa looked her age as she showed off her slim legs in a printed Olivia Rubin mini-dress with neon pink detail and matching bright pink heels.
    Her frock featured a peekaboo neckline and emphasised her trim figure.
    Their choices of outfits contrasted to those that they opted for yesterday - when N-Dubz star Tulisa, 22, covered up and Kelly exposed her stomach.
    Tulisa wore a black DKNY jumpsuit with red spots for her X Factor debut, while Kelly turned heads in a yellow lace crop top, which revealed her toned tum.

    Tulisa_Kelly
    Changing styles ... Tulisa covered up while Kelly flashed her stomach yesterday
    Gary Barlow and Louis Walsh looked like they meant business as they left the Hotel Du Vin for Birmingham's NEC. Irish Louis, 58, is the only remaining original judge on this year's panel.
    Take That star Gary, 40, has replaced Simon Cowell as the head judge while he launches the US version of X Factor.
    Tulisa has stepped into Cheryl Cole's shoes while Kelly is on the panel instead of Dannii Minogue.

    Gary and Louis
    Ready for action ... Gary Barlow and Louis Walsh on their way to auditions today
    BIG
    Cheryl refused to return to the show after getting the sack from her role as a judge on the US show, while Dannii was forced to quit after filming dates clashed with those of Australia's Got Talent, which she is also a judge on. Meanwhile, Simon's ex-girlfriend and X Factor aide Sinitta hasn't given Tulisa the warmest of welcomes to the job.
    Earlier this week, she tweeted: "@officialtulisa,I wanted CC back or your job myself..but I think you'll make it work- fasten your seatbelt. Its gonna be a bumpy ride!S x"
    Tulisa diplomatically responded: "@sinittaofficial Don't worry my fellow female boss I'll do u proud.
    "Speeds my middle name so they better be ready to catch up. Mwah x"
    Sinitta later apologised, writing: "I love CC,I wish tulisa luck I'm sorry if I upset anyone, I'm just reporting and reacting like everyone else the good the bad and the ugly."
    And Tulisa seems to have settled into her new judging role well.
    She tweeted last night: "Amazing day at the xfactor, I want 2 thank every1 4 the support! Thanks 4 making me feel at home! Lots of love T. X"

    Tulisa beaten by stylish Kelly

    Tulisa and Kelly
    Who is winning the style war? ... Tulisa Contostavlos and Kelly Rowland today

    KELLY Rowland won the style war with her X Factor rival Tulisa Contostavlos for the second day running today.

    The Destiny's Child singer looked glamorous as the judges left their Birmingham hotel for the next day of auditions.
    Kelly, 30, donned a white, black and brown block print maxi dress with a plunging neckline, which she teamed up with tan wedges.
    Meanwhile, Tulisa looked her age as she showed off her slim legs in a printed Olivia Rubin mini-dress with neon pink detail and matching bright pink heels.
    Her frock featured a peekaboo neckline and emphasised her trim figure.
    Their choices of outfits contrasted to those that they opted for yesterday - when N-Dubz star Tulisa, 22, covered up and Kelly exposed her stomach.
    Tulisa wore a black DKNY jumpsuit with red spots for her X Factor debut, while Kelly turned heads in a yellow lace crop top, which revealed her toned tum.

    Tulisa_Kelly
    Changing styles ... Tulisa covered up while Kelly flashed her stomach yesterday
    Gary Barlow and Louis Walsh looked like they meant business as they left the Hotel Du Vin for Birmingham's NEC. Irish Louis, 58, is the only remaining original judge on this year's panel.
    Take That star Gary, 40, has replaced Simon Cowell as the head judge while he launches the US version of X Factor.
    Tulisa has stepped into Cheryl Cole's shoes while Kelly is on the panel instead of Dannii Minogue.

    Gary and Louis
    Ready for action ... Gary Barlow and Louis Walsh on their way to auditions today
    BIG
    Cheryl refused to return to the show after getting the sack from her role as a judge on the US show, while Dannii was forced to quit after filming dates clashed with those of Australia's Got Talent, which she is also a judge on. Meanwhile, Simon's ex-girlfriend and X Factor aide Sinitta hasn't given Tulisa the warmest of welcomes to the job.
    Earlier this week, she tweeted: "@officialtulisa,I wanted CC back or your job myself..but I think you'll make it work- fasten your seatbelt. Its gonna be a bumpy ride!S x"
    Tulisa diplomatically responded: "@sinittaofficial Don't worry my fellow female boss I'll do u proud.
    "Speeds my middle name so they better be ready to catch up. Mwah x"
    Sinitta later apologised, writing: "I love CC,I wish tulisa luck I'm sorry if I upset anyone, I'm just reporting and reacting like everyone else the good the bad and the ugly."
    And Tulisa seems to have settled into her new judging role well.
    She tweeted last night: "Amazing day at the xfactor, I want 2 thank every1 4 the support! Thanks 4 making me feel at home! Lots of love T. X"

    Paris strips after sex tape shame

    Paris Hilton
    Bathroom scene ... Paris Hilton

    PARIS Hilton has just opened up about her public humiliation at her sex tape scandal - but had no problems stripping off in front of the cameras for her new show.

    The US socialite peeled off her clothes as she got into the bath for the debut episode of The World According To Paris.
    The 30-year-old got viewers into a lather as she washed her hair and was covered in suds in her Beverly Hills mansion.
    She was later seen chatting to her mum Kathy in just a pink towel.
    During the episode, which aired in America last night, she also rowed with her boyfriend Cy Waits after he found a text from one of her exes on her phone.

    Despite repeatedly saying how
    In a lather ... Paris Hilton
    Oxygen / Splash News
    But after patching things up, Paris declares: "Cy is such a great guy I don't want to mess things up... I love him so much." The night before her interview on Piers Morgan's CNN chat show had broadcast in the States.
    She had to comfort her sobbing mum Kathy as she told how the sex tape had changed her life forever.
    Her ex-boyfriend Rick Salomon released the infamous tape in 2003. It had been made in 2001, when Paris was 20.
    She admitted that she was preparing to warn her future children about the tape.

    Grabs of Paris Hilton and her mother Kathy appearing on Piers Morgan's US chat show last night, where the socialite opened up about her infamous sex tape and how she has to live with it for the rest of her life.
    Opening up ... Paris and Kathy Hilton on Piers Morgan's CNN show
    Paris told Piers: "When people look at me they think that I'm something I'm not just because of one incident one night with someone who I was in love with. "People assume 'Oh, she's a slut' because of one thing that happened to me and it's hard because I'll have to live with that for the rest of my life and explain it to my children."
    Paris added that the incident was "the most embarrassing, humiliating thing" that has ever happened in her life.

    Paris strips after sex tape shame

    Paris Hilton
    Bathroom scene ... Paris Hilton

    PARIS Hilton has just opened up about her public humiliation at her sex tape scandal - but had no problems stripping off in front of the cameras for her new show.

    The US socialite peeled off her clothes as she got into the bath for the debut episode of The World According To Paris.
    The 30-year-old got viewers into a lather as she washed her hair and was covered in suds in her Beverly Hills mansion.
    She was later seen chatting to her mum Kathy in just a pink towel.
    During the episode, which aired in America last night, she also rowed with her boyfriend Cy Waits after he found a text from one of her exes on her phone.

    Despite repeatedly saying how
    In a lather ... Paris Hilton
    Oxygen / Splash News
    But after patching things up, Paris declares: "Cy is such a great guy I don't want to mess things up... I love him so much." The night before her interview on Piers Morgan's CNN chat show had broadcast in the States.
    She had to comfort her sobbing mum Kathy as she told how the sex tape had changed her life forever.
    Her ex-boyfriend Rick Salomon released the infamous tape in 2003. It had been made in 2001, when Paris was 20.
    She admitted that she was preparing to warn her future children about the tape.

    Grabs of Paris Hilton and her mother Kathy appearing on Piers Morgan's US chat show last night, where the socialite opened up about her infamous sex tape and how she has to live with it for the rest of her life.
    Opening up ... Paris and Kathy Hilton on Piers Morgan's CNN show
    Paris told Piers: "When people look at me they think that I'm something I'm not just because of one incident one night with someone who I was in love with. "People assume 'Oh, she's a slut' because of one thing that happened to me and it's hard because I'll have to live with that for the rest of my life and explain it to my children."
    Paris added that the incident was "the most embarrassing, humiliating thing" that has ever happened in her life.

    चलो शिव-शंभू के धाम

    कैलास-मानसरोवर यात्रा आज से दिल्ली से शुरू हो रही है। कैलास पर्वत को ही भगवान शिव का धाम माना जाता है। वहां तक पहुंचने की इस यात्रा में होता है आस्था, आध्यात्मिकता और रोमांच का समागम..

    कैलास मानसरोवर यात्रा में हुई अनुभूति का शब्दों में वर्णन नहीं किया जा सकता। कैलाश पर्वत की परिक्रमा के दौरान मन पर्वत की नैसर्गिकता और दिव्यता से जुड़ जाता है। श्रद्धापूरित मन जैसा स्मरण करता है, शिवमय यह पर्वत उसे वैसा ही रूप दिखा देता है।'- पिछले वर्ष 2010 में कैलास-मानसरोवर की यात्रा पर गए महंत केशव गिरि इस यात्रा से अभिभूत होकर अपनी अनुभूति इस प्रकार व्यक्त करते हैं। वे कहते हैं, 'यह यात्रा बेशक लंबी और काफी कठिन मार्गो से होकर गुजरती है, लेकिन यह मन को आनंदित करने वाली होती है।' जून से सितबर तक चलने वाली इस यात्रा में सैकड़ों यात्री तिब्बत पहुंचकर आराध्य महादिदेव शिव के धाम का दर्शन करते हैं। कैलास-मानसरोवर यात्रा मात्र आस्था ही नहीं, बल्कि यात्रा के रोमांच के लिए भी प्रसिद्ध है। दो देशों द्वारा संचालित होने वाली इस यात्रा में देश के विभिन्न प्रांतों से लोग एक-साथ इस यात्रा पर जाते हैं, इसलिए उनके बीच भाईचारा भी बढ़ता है। मान्यता है कि कैलास-मानसरोवर शिव का धाम है। विचारक बीडी कसनियाल कहते हैं, 'ध्यान और तप के देवता शिव हैं। शिव के अनुयायी मुक्ति का मार्ग ध्यान और तपस्या को ही मानते हैं। पूरा हिमालय शिव की भूमि है। कैलास पर्वत को ही उनका आवास माना जाता है।'

    भगवान शिव का धाम कैलास-मानसरोवर तिब्बत में पड़ता है। तिब्बत इस समय चीन के आधिपत्य में है। जिस कारण यात्रियों को पासपोर्ट, वीजा, स्वास्थ्य परीक्षण जैसी प्रक्रियाओं से गुजरना पड़ता है।

    इस धार्मिक यात्रा का जिम्मा कुमाऊं मंडल विकास निगम को दिया गया है। यात्रा दिल्ली से शुरू होकर काठगोदाम, अल्मोड़ा, पिथौरागढ़ होते हुए आधार शिविर धारचूला पहुंचती है। जहां से दो घंटे की यात्रा वाहन से करने के बाद यात्रा के पैदल पड़ाव तय किए जाते हैं। इन पड़ावों पर याक पशु भी किराये पर किया जा सकता है। प्रत्येक यात्री को दिल्ली और गुंजी पड़ाव पर स्वास्थ्य परीक्षण से गुजरना होता है। सफल यात्री ही कैलाश-मानसरोवर के दर्शन कर पाते हैं। कैलाश-मानसरोवर की परिक्रमा का जिम्मा चीन सरकार का रहता है। परिक्रमा कर वापस दिल्ली लौटने में 28 दिन का समय लगता है।

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