All About Mount Kailash Parvat

The Starway to Heaven!

Mount Kailash, AKA Kailasa or Kailash Mansarovar, lying in the Kailash Range, a mountain range in the Tibetan Plateau in Tibet, China, is one of the most fascinating mountain ranges in the Himalayas.

Located less than 100km north of the western Trijunction or Triple-Border of China, India, and Nepal, Mount Kailash is said to be the physical embodiment of Mount Meru, the golden mountain that is said to be the center of the universe and the axis point of earth.

Believed by the Hindus and Buddhists, Mount Kailash is one of the most sacred and mysterious mountain peaks in the world.

Come let's unveil the mysteries and myths regarding Mount Kailash - The Largest Inaccessible Peak of the Himalayas!

About Mount Kailash Parvat

Mount Kailash Parvat also known as Kangrinboqe Peak or Kailash Mansarovar, is the largest part of of Himalayas in the Tibetian Plateau, China, the highest plateau in the world. The Mount Kailash trek is said to be one of the unachievable treks due to its prominence. With a height of 21,778 ft(6,638 meters), Mount Kailash Parvat serves as one of the major sources of rivers in Asia.

Mount Kailash is one of the 3 Kailash Parvat, and the other 2 are Om Parvat in Uttarakhand, India, and Kinnaur Kailash in Himachal Pradesh. The Kailash Mountain is settled amidst an exquisite landscape, showcasing itself as a beautiful diamond-shaped mountain in the Tibet area in China. The Mansarovar Lake and Lake Rakshastal are also located along Mt Kailash in Tibet.

Among Yungdrung Bon(An indigenous Tibetan religion), Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, Mount Kailash Parvat is considered as one of the sacred mountain ranges, serving as one of the major pilgrim icons in India. It is believed that walking under the foot of Mount Kailash Parvat will wash away all the sins in the lifetime and will bring good fortune. Thousands of people visit Mount Kailash to commence the pilgrimage journey around the foot of the Kailash Parvat, which usually takes about 3 days to complete.

Mount Kailash - Hindu Legends

Mount Kailash is said to be the residing place of Lord Shiva along with Goddess Parvathi, his two sons, Ganesha and Kartikeya, and Nandi.

There are several Hindu legends and myths, that have been linked with Mount Kailash. And one among them is the "Ravananugraha".

As per the uttara kanda of the Epic Ramayana, it is been said the Ravana, the multi-headed king of the Island of Lanka, ie., Sri Lanka, once lifted the whole Mount Kailash while retaliating against Lord Shiva for not answering his prayers. As Lord Shiva noticed the shaking of Mount Kailash, in anger he pressed the mountain with his right big toe, thereby trapping Ravana in-between.

The stuck Ravana cried and roared in pain for years, gaining the name "Ravana" - the one who roar. Until with his ministrie's advice to please Lord Shiva by chanting his name, Ravana cut off one of his head and hand and made a veena, a stringed musical instrument. It is been said that he used his guts for the strings of the veena. Ravana started hymning the Shiva Tandava Stotram to please Lord Shiva. Pleased Lord Shiva offered Ravana a blessing, anugraham, gifted him the Atmalinga, a powerful linga, and asked Ravana to worship it at Lankha. This whole Hindu legend of Ravana linking it with Mount Kailash is been referred to as the "Ravananugraha".

Mysteries of Mount Kailash

Perfect Pyramid Shape: Mount Kailash is notable for its nearly perfect pyramid shape, with four separate sides that closely coincide with the cardinal directions—north, south, east, and west. This geometric perfection is quite rare in nature, making the mountain a source of tremendous interest. The symmetry of its development has spawned several ideas, with some claiming it to be an ancient, man-made pyramid, while others see it as a natural geological wonder that defies conventional explanation.

Time Distortion: One of the most baffling experiences described by tourists to Mount Kailash is time distortion. Pilgrims and explorers have reported exceptionally quick hair and nail growth during their short visits near the peak. Some argue that what seemed like a few hours passed was actually considerably longer, and vice versa. This has sparked speculation regarding the occurrence of a time warp or changed temporal reality near the sacred summit. Despite multiple anecdotes, no scientific explanation has been proposed for these time anomalies, leaving this issue unresolved and extremely intriguing.

The Rapid Aging Phenomenon: The Rapid Aging Phenomenon is one of Mount Kailash's most baffling riddles. According to several testimonials from pilgrims and vacationers, spending even a short amount of time near the mountain accelerates the aging process. Individuals have reported that after a few days, they detected noticeable indicators of aging, such as wrinkles, graying hair, and physical exhaustion, which would normally take years to develop. This strange phenomenon has prompted many to speculate that the area around Mount Kailash is prone to peculiar temporal distortions or energy fields that influence biological aging. Despite several possibilities, science has yet to provide a precise explanation for this occurrence, making it one of the most fascinating and unnerving mysteries of Kailash Parvat.

Divine Experiences: Travelers to Mount Kailash frequently describe encountering unusual phenomena that defy logical explanation. Many people have reported seeing strange, incomprehensible lights hanging about the mountain, while others claim to have experienced visions of deities or cosmic figures while on pilgrimage. Some people report feeling watched or followed by an unseen presence, heightening the sense of mystery and awe around the sacred mountain. These encounters are frequently accompanied by a strong sense of spirituality, leading many to conclude that Mount Kailash is a place where the barrier between the physical and spiritual realms becomes particularly thin.

Inscriptions and Symbols: Mount Kailash is more than just a natural wonder; it also contains mysterious clues about ancient cultures. Mysterious markings and symbols engraved into the rocks all around the mountain captivate the interest of both researchers and pilgrims. These markings, which resemble undeciphered scripts and mysterious symbols, have perplexed researchers for years. The inscriptions do not fit any recognized language or writing system, prompting discussion regarding their origins. Some believe these symbols are remains of an ancient civilization or messages left by early spiritual searchers. Despite much research, their exact significance and function are unknown, contributing to the mountain's mystique.

Connection to Shambhala: Mount Kailash is often regarded as the gateway to Shambhala, a legendary and mystical kingdom that is believed to exist in a hidden dimension. According to various spiritual traditions and ancient texts, Shambhala is a utopian realm of profound wisdom and enlightenment, accessible only through Mount Kailash. This belief is deeply embedded in the lore of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Tibetan traditions, which describe Shambhala as a place where spiritual seekers can attain ultimate knowledge and inner peace. The idea of this otherworldly kingdom, coupled with the mountain's sacred status, adds to the enduring allure and mystery of Mount Kailash.

How to reach Mount Kailash?

Wondering how to get to Mount Kailash?

The only best way to reach Mount Kailas Parvat is to take a flight or train from China!

Lhasa, the Forbidden City in China, is the nearest city to the Kailash Ranges. If you are planning to visit Mount Kailash, the first thing you need to do is reach Lhasa. Then you have to set-out for the 4-day trip to the far mountains in Western Tibet, and then you can back-pack for the Mount Kailash trek.

Ironically, Mount Kailash is lower than Mount Everest, yet many people climbed Mount Everest, and only one person, Milarepa, a Tibetan Buddhist monk was able to climb the Kailash Parvat, according to the history!

Best Time to Visit Mount Kailash

Planning a Kailash Mansarovar Yatra?

Being back-packing to the Kailash Parvat, there are some major thing things you should be aware of.

Mount Kailash is a year-round destination, which can be visited during any month of the year. Yet it is highly recommended that the best time to visit Mount Kailash is from May to October. As we mentioned, Mount Kailash is one of the unreachable mountains. In order to complete the Mount Kailash trek, you have to reach the Droma-la Pass, the highest part of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.

Now, get ready!

Let's backpack to Mount Kailash Parvat and witness the abode of Lord Shiva!