A great mass of black rock soaring to over 22,000 feet, Mt. Kailash has the unique distinction of being the world's most venerated holy place at the same time that it is the least visited. The supremely sacred site of four religions and billions of people, Kailash is seen by no more than a few thousand pilgrims each year. This curious fact is explained by the mountain's remote location in far western Tibet. No planes, trains or buses journey anywhere near the region and even with rugged over-land vehicles the journey still requires weeks of difficult, often dangerous travel. The weather, always cold, can be unexpectedly treacherous and pilgrims must carry all the supplies they will need for the entire journey.

How long have people been coming to this sacred mountain? The answers are lost in antiquity, before the dawn of Hinduism, Jainism or Buddhism. The cosmologies and origin myths of each of these religions speak of Kailash as the mythical Mt. Meru, the Axis Mundi, the center and birth place of the entire world. The mountain was already legendary before the great Hindu epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, were written. Indeed, Kailash is so deeply embedded in the myths of ancient Asia that it was perhaps a sacred place of another era, another civilization, now long gone and forgotten.

Hindus believe Mt.Kailash to be the abode of Lord Shiva. Like many of the Hindu gods, Shiva is a character of apparent contradictions. He at once the Lord of Yoga and therefore the ultimate renunciate ascetic, yet he is also the divine master of Tantra, the esoteric science that regards sexual union as the most perfect path to spiritual enlightenment. According to legend, immortal Shiva lives atop Kailash where he spends his time practicing yogic austerities, making joyous love with his divine consort, Parvati, and smoking ganja, the sacred herb known in the west as marijuana, Hindus do not interpret Shiva's behaviors as contradictory however, but rather see in him a deity who has wisely integrated the extremes of human nature and thus transcended attachment to any particular, and limited, way of being. For a Hindu, to make the arduous pilgrimage to Kailash and have the darshan (divine view) of Shiva's abode is to attain release from the clutches of ignorance and delusion.

Kailash is sacred to other religions as well. The Jains call the mountain Astapada and believe it to be the place where Rishaba, the first of the twenty-four Tirthankaras attained liberation. Followers of Bon, Tibet's pre-Buddhist, shamanistic religion, call the mountain Tise and believe it to be the seat of the Sky Goddess Sipaimen. Additionally, Bon myths regard Tise as the sight of a legendary 12th century battle of sorcery between the Buddhist sage Milarepa and the Bon shaman Naro Bon-chung. Milarepa's defeat of the shaman displaced Bon as the primary religion of Tibet, firmly establishing Buddhism in its place. While the Buddha is believed to have magically visited Kailash in the 5th century BC, the religion of Buddhism only entered Tibet, via Nepal and India, in the 7th century AD. Tibetan Buddhists call the mountain Kang Rimpoche, the 'Precious One of Glacial Snow', and regard it as the dwelling place of Demchog (also known as Chakrasamvara) and his consort, Dorje Phagmo. Three hills rising near Kang Rimpoche are believed to be the homes of the the Bodhisatvas Manjushri, Vajrapani, and Avalokiteshvara.

Pilgrims to Kailash, after the difficult journey getting there, are then confronted with the equally arduous task of circumambulating the sacred peak. This walking around the mountain (clockwise for the Buddhists, counter-clockwise for Bon adherents) is known as a Kora, or Parikrama, and normally takes three days. In hopes of gaining extra merit or psychic powers however, some pilgrims will vary the tempo of their movement. A hardy few, practicing a secret breathing technique known as Lung-gom, will power themselves around the mountain in only one day. Others will take two to three weeks for the Kora by making full body prostrations the entire way. It is believed that a pilgrim who completes 108 journeys around the mountain is assured enlightenment. Most pilgrims to Kailash will also take a short plunge in the nearby, highly sacred (and very cold) Lake Manosaravar. The word 'manas' means mind or consciousness; the name Manosaravar means Lake of Consciousness and Enlightenment. Adjacent to Manosaravar is Rakas Tal or Rakshas, the Lake of Demons. Pilgrimage to this great sacred mountain and these two magical lakes is a life changing experience and an opportunity to view some of the most magical scenery on the entire planet.

Places of Interest during visit to Holy Kailash

Tirthapuri: Tirthapuri is best known for being a sacred place of Padmasambhava and his consort Yeshe Tsogyel. The monastery which was formerly connected with Hemis monastery in Ladakh was completely destroyed during the Cultural Revolution and rebuilt in 1980s. Behind the Hemis Monastery in Ladakh is GuruGyama cave where Padmasambhava and Yeshe Tsogye both meditated and a granite rock with their embedded footprints. The hot springs are surrounded by pink and white limestone terraces, which make a favorite picnic spot for Tibetans. Small pure opaque calcium balls are found among the terraces; search carefully for these small beads are considered to be powerful medicine. Ravens and rainbows abound in this magical spot. Tirthapuri can also be visited as part of a journey to or from the kingdom of Guge, or as part of a return journey to Shiqunhe. To reach it turn southwest off the main road at Menjir (also called as Mensi) and continue for 13km (8miles). From Tirthapuri to Toling is approximately one long day of driving, so consider spending an extra night here and enjoy.

Gauri Kunda (Yokmo Tso): Gauri KundaGauri Kunda, which is 50 to 60 m. down from the Dolma-La pass (5608 m.) is the highest lake in the World. Tibetan people called it Yokmo Tso, that means ‘Maid Servant’. Once upon a time, the maid of a rich family had an illicit affair and bore a baby boy. She took him to Mt. Kailash and by the lake she took a drink. Through carelessness, the baby slipped into the water and sank without a trace. The maid stayed here for days, heartbroken, and spent all her waking hours watching the lake’s surface. Finally, a message appeared on a rock next to her. The baby was in fact a deity and he asked his mother not to worry but to perform the 13 circuits around the mountain and then go home a new women. This small rock smudged with butter, is still here.

Yam Dwar: Yam Dwar Yam Dwar (entrance) is located in Tarboche which is approximately 30 minutes drive from Darchen. The literal meaning of the Yam Dwar in Hindi language is the gateway of the God of Death. It is the starting point of circumambulation of mount Kailash. In Tibet, it is known as Chorten Kang Ngyi i.e. two legged Stupa.

Asthapad: Asthapad Maha Tirth is one of the major Jain Tirths and it is situated nearly 5 km up in the mountain from Darchen. Thousands of years ago Shri Adinath Bhagwan, first of 24 tirthankars, attained salvation at this place. After his salvation his son king Bharat made a palace (known as “Sinh-Nishadha”) of real gemstones with 24 idols of Jain tirthankars on Ashtapad mountain in his memory. Ashtapad derived its name from the fact that it has eight steps to go up the mountain (Ashta means eight and pad means steps in Sanskrit). Other names for the tirth are Ratnamay (made of gemstones) Rajatadri and Sfatikachal (the crystal palace).

Siwasthal: Siwastal is located on the way to Dolma-La, which is approximately 2 hours walk from Deraphuk Gomba. Siwastal is considered as a replica of the fabled burial ground at Bodh Gaya, India. Here pilgrims undergo ritual death and enter into the horrific presence of Yama, before being reborn on top of the Drolma La. On the ground is an incredible assortment of clothing, bones, saddle bags, hair, shoes and endless other objects. All who pass leave something even offerings of blood (cut a finger or scrape the gums). Many lie on the ground and visualize their journey after-death. A few brave ones stay overnight. Above the cemetery is a red foot print of Milareppa (Tibetan yogi & poet) on the surface of a rock.

Tarboche: Rasising the flag poleSaga Dawa is the most important annual festival of Mt. Kailash, during this time, the giant flagpole is ritually taken down and the prayer flags along its length replaced. Tibetans from all over Tibet pour into the area, most of them two or three weeks before the actual date, the full moon of the forth lunar month. Many bring products to sell and the result is a remarkable carnival. During the flagpole ceremony, as the pole’s tip is raised and pointed east towards Gyangdrak Monastery, monks of that monastery perform a special ritual. A Cacophony of music from long trumpets, conch shells and other instruments welcomes the rising flagpole. After the Tarboche is fully upright, Tibetans scrutinize its position for omens. If the column is ramrod straight, all will go well: disease will abate, livestock will be healthy and everyone will prosper. If the pole leans toward Kailash, local inhabitants will suffer famine, disease and perhaps untimely death. If the flagpole tilts away from the mountain, great alarm is generated.