Located in Kailash range of Tibetan Plateau, Mount Kailash is a pristine yet intriguing mountain which dominates the entire regions landscape. Intriguing in a sense because it is mostly considered to be inaccessible. With an elevation of 6,638 meters, it is the highest peak of Kailash range. Undoubtedly Mount Kailash has a captivating beauty. Also, it is one of the holy mountains for religion group of Hindu, Buddhist, Bon, and Jain. The mountain is visited by thousands of devotees every year to make the pilgrimage for traditional and purification purpose. So, today lets unravel some facts and gather some information of this mysterious as well as mesmerizing peak.

Why is Mount Kailash inaccessible?

You might find this quite bewildering, but this 6,638-meter high peak hasn’t been climbed yet. The tallest of all Everest with a height of 8,848 meters has been conquered by over 2,000 people, and yet this small mountain has left all of us baffling.

In the past, several attempts were made to climb Mount Kailash, but for some reason, things came in between. Like in 1926, Hugh Ruttledge thought about ascent to Mount Kailash, but he ran out of time. Colonel Wilson, who was in another side of the mountain from Ruttledge became serious about climbing Mount Kailash but just when he discovered an easy way to walk to summit, heavy snow began to fall making the climb impossible.

Again in 1936, Herbert Tichy, an Austrian climber enquired the Gharpon (religion leader in Tibet) about whether Kaikash was climbable, he said, “Only a man completely free of sin could climb Mount Kailash. And, he wouldn’t even have to actually scale the sheer walls of ice to do it, he would turn himself into a bird and fly to the summit.” Then in mid-1980s Chinese government gave Tichy an opportunity to climb the mountain but he declined.

And in 2001, several reports emerged saying the Chinese government has given permission to a Spanish team to climb the Mount Kailash causing an international backlash. Then Chinese authorities issued a report stating any climbing activities on Mount Kailash were strictly prohibited.

There is report which tells why Mount Kailash is unclimbable. However, it is largely believed that it is due to the religious importance attached to the peak. Mount Kailash is center of four different religious groups of the world and considers it as an ultimate pilgrimage. Difficulty to conquer the summit is considered another reason why Mount Kailash is unattainable.

What are the religious importance of Mount Kailash?

Hinduism

As per the Hindu religion, Mount Kailash is the same mountain where Lord Shiva resided at a mountain called Kailash in a state of meditation with his wife, Goddess Parvati. Also Vishnu Puran, the holy ancient and medieval text states Mount Kailash has four faces made of crystal, ruby, gold and lapis lazuli.

Buddhism

As per the Buddhist texts, Mount Kailash is known as Mount Meru and is major pilgrimage site for some Buddhist traditions. According to Vajrayana Buddhist, Mount Kailash is the home of Buddha Cakrasamvara who represents supreme bliss. Also, there are several sites in Mount Kailash region related to Padmasambhava, founder of Tibetan Buddhism.

Jain

As per the Jain religion, a mountain next to Mount Kailash, Ashtapada is where the first Jain Tirthankara, Rishabhadeva gained liberation. In Jain tradition, the 24th or the last Tirthankara, Vardhamana Mahavira was taken to the summit of Mount Kailash by Indra (king of highest heaven in Jainism) shortly after his birth where he was bathed and anointed with precious unctions.

Bon

As per Bon religion, the entire mystical region and Kailash which they call “nine-story Swastika Mountain” is axis Mundi, Tagzig Olma Lung Ring.

How to reach Mount Kailash from Nepal?

You can reach the spiritual and stunning Mount Kailash from Nepal as well. The trek starts from Simikot of Nepal and ends at the border of Nepal and Tibet. Your journey to Mount Kailash begins with a flight to Nepalgunj from Kathmandu and another flight to Simikot. Moving on towards the Nepal-Tibet border Hilsa and then to Mount Kailash and Mansarovar.

Trekking to Mount Kailash is a long and high altitude trek. So, you must be prepared for all the challenges en route. Mount Kailash is a rewarding trek which offers a closer insight to life and culture of Tibetans. Hot springs, beautiful pine trees, rocky hills and quaint settlements of this trek will take you by surprise. As this is a trek to spirituality, you will walk pass many monasteries and gompas throughout the way. It is the most visited sacred site in the far-west region of Tibet as it is a holy site for four main religion of the world.

Mount Kailash trek is not for climbing up to the peak; it is just for Kora (Circumambulation) circuit of 52 kilometers long walking by devotees and visitors. Kora circuit is a clockwise trek around the Mount Kailash, and it is believed to have a great spiritual significance for Buddhists. Mount Kailash covers circuit around mountain clockwise for Buddhists and anti-clockwise for Bon, which generally takes three days to complete it.

Along with the spiritual tour to Mount Kailash, visitors often take a short plunge to the nearby site of Manasarovar Lake, which is another sacred site. The name Manasorvar is derived from two words, manas meaning mind and sarovar meaning consciousness, simply naming it as the Lake of Consciousness and Enlightenment. The Lake is exceptionally dream-like on the day and even more alluring in the moonlight during night. You can visit another lake called Ravan Kund, which is located in the vicinity of Mansarovar lake.