Unknown Facts of Mount Kailash

Mount Kailash bathed in light at sunrise © Alexander Mandl/500px

Mount Kailash is a 6,638 m (21,778 ft) high peak in the Kailash Range 

Every year, thousands make a pilgrimage to Kailash, following a tradition going back thousands of years. Pilgrims of several religions believe that circumambulating Mount Kailash on foot is a holy ritual that will bring good fortune. The peregrination is made in a clockwise direction by Hindus and Buddhists, while Jains and Bönpos circumambulate the mountain in a counterclockwise direction.

Religious significance

1. In Hinduism, it is traditionally recognized as the abode of Shiva, who resided there along with his consort goddess Parvati and their children, Ganesha and Kartikeya.
2. In Jain tradition, it is believed that after Rishabhdeva attained nirvana, his son emperor Bharata Chakravartin had constructed three stupas and twenty four shrines of the 24 tirthankaras over there with their idols studded with precious stones and named it Sinhnishdha.
3. Mount Kailash (Kailasa) is known as Mount Meru in Buddhist texts. It is central to its cosmology, and a major pilgrimage site for some Buddhist traditions. Vajrayana Buddhists believe that Mount Kailash is the home of the buddha Cakrasaṃvara (also known as Demchok), who represents supreme bliss.

Here are some Unknown Facts of Mount Kailash (Mount Meru)

1. Mount Kailash is 22,000 ft from the Tibetan Plateau, which is largely considered to be inaccessible
2. For Hindus and Buddhists, Mount Kailash is the physical embodiment of Mount Meru
3. The pyramid-shaped Mount Meru is the result of the possessed technical expertise of some superhuman divine beings.
4. According to the Buddhist and Hindu scriptures, around the Mount Meru exist ancient monasteries and caves wherein the holy sages reside. These caves can be seen by only a few fortunate ones.
5. As per a Tibetan lore, a monk named Milarepa once ventured far enough to reach the top of Mount Meru. When he returned, he forewarned everyone to avoid bothering the God resting high up in the peak.
6. Two beautiful lakes, namely Mansarovar and Rakshas Tal, are located at the base of Mount Kailash.
7. Mansarovar, which lies at an altitude of 14,950 ft, is considered the highest freshwater body in the world.
8. Tourists and pilgrims have discovered that the air of this ancient peak amps up the process of ageing! Once a group of climbers of Siberian origin reached ahead of a certain point and immediately aged by a few decades. Shockingly, all of the trespassers died of old age a year after!