Mount Kailash inside is full of mystery. People believe that inside the mountain there are old caves and underground rivers. Some believe that, inside those hidden caves, are beings of wisdom or gateways into another realm. Very few get to enter Mount Kailash, and no one knows what happens inside.
Scientists find the mountain fascinating. The rock formations in the mountain are out of the normal. The impact of magnetic forces around the mountain is strange.
For people of the world, the mountain has a very spiritual aspect. Many visitors come to Mount Kailash and find peace or a connection to greater systems once they arrive in the vicinity.
The spiritual aspect of Mount Kailash brings many individuals carrying pilgrim-related expectations to traverse the footpaths of Mount Kailash; perhaps, ultimately looking for a sense of enlightenment for themselves. Mount Kailash is viewed as the home of Lord Shiva. It is also seen as a link between heaven and earth.
Each aspect of the sacred structure, its interior, and even its external shape can evoke a sense of spirituality. Mount Kailash is significant to many faiths (Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Bon).
There are a number of ways to incorporate one of these spiritual journeys by connecting Mount Kailash with Lake Mansarovar, which is a very holy lake located near Mount Kailash. The Mount Kailash Mansarovar Tour is a well-known pilgrimage incorporating the Mount Kailash area (which includes Lake Mansarovar).
In this tour, pilgrims engage in customary practices such as bathing in the pure water of Lake Mansarovar and circling Mount Kailash (which is a 52km route). This allows pilgrims to take in the views, undertake their reflections, and long for spiritual growth.
Despite many attempts, no one has climbed Mount Kailash because it is regarded as spiritually unassailable. Mount Kailash is a dividing point of faith and mystery; it is a repository of cosmic and earthly power and continues to draw in and appropriately inspire individuals looking for something to hold onto all around the world.
Virtually unknown, the inner sanctum of Kailash adds to the mythical nature of this phenomenal peak. Let's delve in below to learn more about the most asked question related to Mount Kailash parvat "What is Inside Mount Kailash"?
What Is Actually Inside Mount Kailash?
Mount Kailash
Inside the mount Kailash is believed to be the sacred abode of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, the nexus of time and cosmic energy. The Hindu texts describe Mt. Kailash is the axis mundi (centre of the universe) at which heaven and earth connect. For Buddhists, it is the heavenly abode of the Demchok, the embodiment of ultimate bliss.
For Jains, it is the hill along which their first Tirthankara was liberated, while for Bon practitioners, it is a spiritual abode of empowerment. Following this are some of the key points of interest located on Mount Kailash.
Some people claim to see a large spirit castle of pure energy hidden within Kailash. Some very ancient texts and yogic traditions talk of chambers of eternally existing knowledge, high energy, and gateways to other dimensions.
It is said that the inner world has Atmalingam, the source of the universe. And the Saptarishi cave, where the great sages had meditated.
There are also contemporary mysteries, while some investigators are even having fun playing along with the prospect of unknown tunnels, hollow chambers, or connections to some elite ancient civilization.
But they allow the mountain to hold on to its holy secrets since they have nothing to show with any physical evidence.
Ancient Caves and Geological Structure
Caves possessing both ancient designs and architectural characteristics have been found by noted explorers and scientists near and around Mount Kailash.
Each cave has a design that is unlike any of the natural forms in the surrounding landscape, leading to questions about whether the caves are a natural feature or if some prior advanced civilizations have altered them.
Mount Kailash and the associated caves have so much colored antiquity because the rock of Kailash mountain is so ancient, as it is granitic and metamorphic rock which was formed, reorganized, and wired beneath extreme heat and pressure, millions of years ago.
Thus, these ancient rocks show us the ancient inner nucleus of Kailash.
A Perfect Pyramid-Like Core Inside Mount Kailash
Kailash contains a pyramid shape, and the sides of that pyramid face the four directions almost perfectly; it is interesting altogether.
Have they speculated if there is such a flat eroded surface or engineered core inside the mountain, similar to other examples on earth, that it would have been formed with exact angles of details that have nothing to do with the average mountain.
Others have even gone as far as to say it represents a human-made pyramid, but mainstream science has rejected that idea, and just says that the symmetry is just normal geological processes.
Spiritual Dimensions Within
The "inside" of Kailash is spiritual, not physical, for the four great religions that adore the mountain. According to Hinduism, it is the residence of Lord Shiva, who is forever meditating at the peak. Buddhists view it as the house of Demchok, the symbol of ecstasy.
Jains consider it the locality where the first Tirthankara of their lineage got enlightened, and the Bon religion acknowledges it as the absolute center of spiritual vigor. In all these faiths, the mountain is God, and God is there.
Saptarishi Caves (Inner Kailash)
The Saptarishi Caves lie beneath the south face of Kailash, at an altitude of about 5,800 to 6,000 meters. The seven ancient sages, known as Saptarishis, picked these caves for their meditation. Each sage represents a key element.
Pilgrims climb steep cliffs to reach this location. Nearby, the Gyangdrak Monastery contains thirteen golden chortens, or stupas. The red cliffs reflect Tibetan traditions. Visitors leave books and offerings to honor Shiva and enjoy views of Nandi Hill from this site.
Ashtapad (Asthapath)
Ashtapad, meaning “Eight Steps,” is a sacred mountain in the Jain tradition. Rishabhadeva, the first Tirthankara, attained nirvana here. Pilgrims approach the mountain with deep respect.
Atmalingam
At the base of Kailash, Atmalingam is a self-manifested Shiva linga that represents the soul of Lord Shiva. This linga is created from snow known as Pushpadanta. It also feeds the holy Sailodha River. Yogis and sages bathe in this water for spiritual cleansing and blessings.
Nandi Hill (Nandi Parvat)
Nandi Hill resembles the sacred bull Nandi, Shiva’s vehicle. It faces Mount Kailash. Devotees use Nandi Parvat to direct their prayers to Shiva. For this reason, pilgrims often call the Inner Kora the Nandi Inner Parikrama.
Tirthapuri
Pilgrims travel to Tirthapuri, a sacred site near the Sutlej River about 65 kilometers west of Darchen, to bathe in its thermal springs. They hold this site in high spiritual esteem after finishing the main circuit.
Is Mount Kailash Hollow Inside?
Many scholars and spiritual traditions claim that Mt. Kailash is hollow.
Geologist and astronomer specialists have examined the shape of the mountain and designated the shape as pyramidal with symmetrical style on four sides that are aligned with the general cardinal directions; north, south, east, and west.
As such, a special shape and geological form indicate that the mountain contains empty or hollow spaces/tunnels inside; nonetheless, there is no scientific proof and cannot be established as a consensus.
It has a very special meaning and sacred spot for Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Bon religions, and even more mystery of being less of an attraction for climbers.
Indeed, no one has ascended the summit, and spiritual followers believe that divine beings guard the summit. Based on some studies and radar mapping, there are probably hollows inside of Mount Kailash.
This raises the idea that it is not only a natural mountain, but possibly a disguised structure with whatever spiritual and geological enigmas come with it.
Where is Kailash Parvat in which Country?
Mount Kailash Location
Exact Location of Kailash Parvat
Parameter
Details
Country
China (Tibet Autonomous Region)
Administrative Region
Ngari Prefecture, Burang (Purang) County, Tibet Autonomous Region, China
Mountain Range
Gangdise Mountains (Kailash Range), part of Trans-Himalaya system
Latitude
31.0675° N (approx. 31° 4′ 0″ N)
Longitude
81.3119° E (approx. 81° 18′ 45″ E)
Elevation
6,638 meters (21,778 feet)
Proximity
Near western borders with India and Nepal
Country and Administrative Division
Mount Kailash, is a famous peak located in Tibet, China. It is geographically located in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. In terms of administration, the holy mountain is under the jurisdiction of Ngari Prefecture, and it is in Burang (also called Purang) County.
Mountain Range & Geography
Mt. Kailash is one of the peaks of the Gangdise Mountains, also called the Kailash Range, which is a mid-Himalayan range extending several dozen kilometers along the western Tibetan Plateau, north of the main Himalayas.
Coordinates & Elevation
The exact location of Mount Kailash is about 31.0675° N, 81.3119° E, or approximately 31° 4′ 0″ N, 81° 18′ 45″ E if we use degrees, minutes, and seconds. It is a very high peak of 6,638 meters (21,778 feet), hence it is a snow-capped mountain that can be seen from afar in the area.
Geopolitical Context
This area is very far away. Mount Kailash, which is located in western Tibet and is very close to the border of India and Nepal, can only be reached by long and difficult land routes, and special permits are required to go there.
Analysis and Geographic Significance
The place where Mount Kailash is located in the Ngari Prefecture of Tibet, China locates it at the meeting point of a very high and complex geopolitical area, which is the spiritual ground. Being a standout of the Trans-Himalaya at an extreme altitude, it is a very powerful spiritual and a very difficult to reach and a very remote place at the same time.
The coordinate of the mountain also emphasizes its unapproachable and very isolated nature, a fact which is confirmed by the height and nature of the surrounding area. Though its peak is not as high as other towering mountains in the Himalayas, it gains a lot of significance from its central position that is close to the sources of major rivers and bordering countries.
Pilgrims and travelers can come from different places. They can go from India through Lipulekh Pass, from Nepal through Kerung border. Each way shows the mountain’s standing as a place where people go for religious reasons and also as a geographical point.
How Was Mount Kailash Formed?
Mount Kailash originated when the land mass of India collided with the Asian plate, forcing the ocean floors of these ancient oceans shut. Down at a depth of 200km in the Earth's crust was a lake of molten rock that crystallized into a granite core.
This granitic core eventually got tiled and layered with sand and gravel, layer after layer, like sediment on the bottom of a lake. Eventually, these layers were pushed up to great heights, so although all of these layers were once flat on the ocean floor they became in the ends shaped by the wind and ice to form a sharp, pointed peak.
So Sacred, so pointed, so awe-inspiring, even its shape has a story to tell of deep time and geophysical forces.
Tectonic Collision Begins: (60-55 million years ago)
The Indian tectonic plate began to move northward toward the Eurasian plate. Upon collision, it blocked the development of the ancient Tethys Ocean and pushed land upward.
Granite Base Formation: (100-45 million years ago)
As plate pressure pushed land upward it melted and flowed the material beneath it to the top of the earth's surface. Eventually, it formed a granite layer called the Gangdese batholith. Mount Kailash is built on this solid base.
Sedimentary Layers Formation: (26-21 million years ago)
Above the granite were basins that acted like lakes collecting sedimentary layers of sand, gravel and coal. We call these the Kailash Formation layers. They eventually set into thick layers of deposits.
Mountain Uplift and Erosion:
As the land arose, and Ice ages evolved that created glaciers upon interacting with the mountains, Mount Kailash began to take shape. Through glacial development and activity over the Quaternary Ice Age, the glacial ice created both steep slopes and multiple valleys on the mountain - giving it that sharp pyramidal shape.
Final Shape:
Mount Kailash is now a strong, naturally formed mountain with strong granite at the pinnacle and layered together with conglomerate sediments. The mountain was formed with land uplift, glaciers and erosion.
What did NASA find on Mount Kailash Inside?
Mount Kailash is a mountain in Tibet that most people consider a sacred site and a space of spiritual force. There are stories that NASA satellites detected a bizarre electromagnetic energy field coming from Mount Kailash - scientists do not yet know what that is. Here's What the reports say:
Unusual Energy Field
Satellites have scanned the mountain and reportedly detected a strange electromagnetic wave that is coming from it. Scientists argue that it could in fact be just minerals, geology, or something else entirely. So far, NASA has not published any formal report about it.
Time Distortion Claims
Pilgrims have reported that while they are at Mount Kailash, time is often distorted - when they are there for a few hours, it can feel like several days.
Strange also, some pilgrims have stated that their hair or nails have grown at an abysmal pace while only being at the pilgrimage site for short periods of time.
They state it piqued NASA's interest, but has had no scientific evidence that they are experiencing time distorts.
Hidden Underground Structures
Some groups publish completion of radar surveys that include pics that claim they may be seeing tunnels, or hollow spaces below the mountain. They have also stated that they may be remains of ancient structures, or even signs of a lost civilization. But again, no formal confirmations.
Hidden Underground Structures
Radar surveys conducted by certain groups suggest that there are possible tunnels or empty spaces under the mountain. It is also speculated that there were, at some point, some ancient structures or lost civilizations in the area. Also, once again no official confirmations.
Kailash is certainly impressive, but there are no records, peer-reviewed publications, or formal releases by NASA that substantiate claims of unusual electromagnetic phenomena or time distorting of this mountain.
In brief, based on some non-consensus readings and anecdotal accounts, stories exist of some amazing energy field(s), effects of time going backward, and even undiscovered chambers at Mount Kailash. Alas, none of this information has been supported by NASA or the broader scientific community. It is probably best considered among the lore and of the extraordinary history of the mountain, not an established fact.
Inside Mount Kailash Mystery
Kailash Mystery 1: The Unclimbable Peak That No One Has Been Able to Climb and Has Legends of Climbers Mysteriously Missing and Dying
Mount Kailash is still considered one of the mysteries of nature, with the fact that nobody has been able to climb to its top.
Popular versions tell of the influence of higher powers that guard the peak, and most of the climbers that tried the climb either came back with their stories or they just went missing without a trace. Even on scientific missions, there have been incidents, which, among others, have qualified the mountain as forbidden territory so far.
Kailash Mystery 2: The Pyramid-shaped top That Some Scientists Believe Could Be a Human-Made Hollow Pyramid Bigger than the Egyptian Ones
Earth’s Mount Kailash has an eye-catching pyramid shape that is the cause of such speculations that it might be a human-made piece of work rather than a natural mountain.
More than 100 small pyramids surround it, some even taller than the pyramids of Egypt, thus giving rise to the idea of ancient highly developed civilizations and the use of unknown technologies.
Kailash Mystery 3: The Eternal Snow Cap That Never Melts Despite Extreme Climate Conditions Adding to Its Mystical Aura
Though the weather in the area suffers from huge changes, the mountain keeps its snow tight at the top, which has on the one hand become the symbol of the Divine and on the other hand has given a very special character to that place, as if it were a presence from a different world.
Kailash Mystery 4: The Twin Lakes, Mansarovar and Rakshastal, have Contrasting Waters: Fresh Water and Salt Water-Cosmic Opposites
Two sacred lakes, Mansarovar and Rakshastal, sit near Kailash, but the waters are very different: freshwater and saltwater. The fact that these waters can co-exist must represent cosmic dualities and enhance the sanctity of the mountain: water-good/ water evil, etc., life-death.
Kailash Mystery 4: Mount Kailash is the Axis Mundi; many religions consider it the spiritual center of the earth, connecting Heaven to earth and making it a prominent sacred site and conduit for cosmic spiritual energy.
Mount Kailash is often considered to be the axis mundi in many religions of the world (including traditional indigenous religions), connecting Heaven to earth. This understanding makes it not only a sacred place but also an important conduit for cosmic spiritual energy.
Mystery 5: The Unexplained Time Distortions and Accelerated Aging Reports of Pilgrims in or near the Kailash Region
Many pilgrims who return from Mount Kailash report unexplainably strange experiences that give them reports of distorted time, and accelerated aging, in which they return looking like they have aged 10 years.
The accounts that are recorded are curious, but they are also scientifically unexplained, and as insignificant as they may seem, they very much add to the mountain of mystery.
Mystery 6: The Sacred Symbols and the mysterious Cross Mark on the Mountain, and what they may indicate about the existence of Religious Masters.
On the mountain, there are marks that look similar to a giant cross, with claims that it is confirmation that one or more of the great spiritual masters, perhaps Milarepa, has been present.
These marks represent the story of the mountain being protected by heaven and nirvana.
Mystery 7: The Source of Four Major Asian Rivers, which means that Mount Kailash is known to be one of the largest sources of life.
Mount Kailash is the source of four of the largest rivers in the world that support millions of lives, downstream of the source. The complex story comes from the significance of the river from both spiritual and geographical perspectives, emphasizing that the mountain is life.
Kailash Mystery 8: The Forbidden Climbing Ban Enforced by Chinese Authorities Out of Respect and Possibly Due to Supernatural Beliefs
The Chinese government has banned the climb of Mount Kailash. The official reason for the ban is the retention of the mountain's sanctity, but the ban is also believed to be a way of avoiding the wrath of the mountain or safeguarding deeply spiritual secrets.
Kailash Mystery 9: The Frequent Spiritual Manifestations and Mystical Experiences Reported by Pilgrims and the Legend of Holy Sages Living Inside the Caves
Holy events are frequently happening in Kailash area during the ritual of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist and Jain pilgrims, a spiritual power of the highest degree is being manifested and so are the legends of enlightened beings dwelling in remote inaccessible cave sanctuaries, for whom Kailash is now the most mysterious and impenetrable fortress.
Kailash Mystery 10: The Alignment Theories Linking Mount Kailash to Ancient Structures Like the Egyptian Pyramids and a Mysteriously Precise Shape
Kailash's perfect and geometrical shape along with the positioning of the mountain on the earth's surface has made some people compare it to the ancient global monuments such as pyramids of Egypt hence suggesting that it is a part of the lost ancient wisdom and a mysterious global spiritual connection.
Kailash Mystery 11: The Mythical Associations with Shambhala, Lord Shiva’s Residence, and the Center of the World in Various Religious Texts
It is said that Mt. Kailash is the place where Lord Shiva lives and the mythical kingdom of Shambhala. According to many religious scriptures, it is the center of the world that is sacred to Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Bon, thus the four major ancient Indian religious texts traditions.
Kailash Mystery 12: The Reports of Unexplained Magnetic Anomalies and Natural Mineral
Concentrations like Quartz and Magnetite Around the MountainScientists discovered some magnetic anomalies from the exotic side and found unusual mineral deposits such as quartz and magnetite around Kailash.
The mountain irregularities are a source of the mountain’s mystery and can be the reason of some of the strange experiences of visitors.
Do people really believe that there are caves inside Mt. Kailash, Tibet, and if so, what are they used for?
Mount Kailash, rising high in the Tibetan plateau, has always attracted attention because of its mystery, mythology, and spiritual importance. Scientists have not verified any evidence for large man-made caves inside the mountain, but many traditions, explorers, and local legends strongly believe they exist.
Stories speak of hidden chambers and tunnels in or around the sacred mountain that defy logic and natural explanation.
In Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and the Bon religion, Kailash is seen as the center of the universe. It is believed to contain spiritual realms beyond what we can normally perceive. Pilgrims and mystics often describe the mountain as a gateway to other dimensions.
The concept of caves inside Kailash fits into this sacred view of the world. Some even suggest that the mountain might be a giant man-made pyramid with hidden passageways.
Over the years, scholars and tourists have learned from the locals about sacred caves. In local lore, people believe there are spiritual forces that guard these caves, and only the enlightened or saints can enter the caves. It is something that mainstream science and information do not accept, but the stories remain and enhance Kailash's intrigue.
Believed Uses of the Caves inside Mount Kailash
Meditation spaces: Yogis and monks are believed to use meditation spaces to transcend their training and deepen their practice away from external distractions.
Energy vortex: Many people believe that caves are energy vortexes for cosmic or other worldly or divine energy, which assists the meditator and could possibly lead to enlightenment.
Occult manuscripts and artifacts: Inside the cave, some rare ancient manuscripts, numerous artifacts, or sacred materials could be preserved as a way to protect those riches from time and decay.
Inter-dimensional portals: Mystics claim that the caves are portals to a higher dimension and spiritual realms.
Temporarily inhabited by sages: Local legends report accounts of cosmically enlightened masters who have inhabited caves to continue their spiritual journey undetected and undisturbed.
Is there anything on top of Mount Kailash?
Many people put forth the notion that the summit of Mount Kailash is a manmade vacuum pyramid, surrounded by over 100 smaller pyramids ranging from about 100 to 1800 meters in height. Researchers and enthusiasts publish these claims and in general suggest the mountain displayed symmetrical perfection, oriented to the cardinal directions, and showed evidence of design by a lost civilization.
Most researchers recognize that this mountain's pyramidal shape has developed from the process of erosional tectonic diverted sediment over time through horizontal sedimentary rock arrangement, and not intentionally.
Some sources mention that Mount Kailash is a huge pyramid complex. Researchers have not yet proven the theories concerning Mount Kailash being part of a huge pyramid complex, and they remain speculative.
The high regard and unorthodox accounts continue to support inquiry regarding Mount Kailash and spiritual notions related to it. Researchers have not yet proven the notion of Mount Kailash as a man-made pyramid complex.
Mount Kailash Shiva face: Can it be Seen Inside the Parvat?
Mount Kailash in Tibet rises to 6,638 meters (21,778 ft) and is revered in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and the Bon religion as the spiritual centre of the universe. Its shape - like a pyramid - and its four faces, each representing an element, make the mystique it carries.
Each of the four sides has associations with one of the four elements, and the material and face/direction representations follow:
South Face (Lapis Lazuli): The south face is made of Lapis Lazuli to represent the ferociousness of Lord Shiva, while being in keeping with the south as the fiercest destructive abilities of divinity.
West Face (Ruby): The west face is made of Ruby to represent compassion and purity, while shows the purity of the divine. (benevolent aspect of divinity)
North Face (Crystal): The North Face materials express serenity and enlightenment, while the material awakens clarity seen in spiritual experience.
East Face (Gold): The east face of the mountain contains gold material that shows the mystery of God, and the beneficial aspects of divinity as gazed upon with wonder and awe, revealing divinity's beneficial aspects to be accessible.
Pilgrims who embark on the Kailash parikrama, the circumambulation of this sacred mountain, will see these faces along the path. Each face teaches us a different spiritual value. People understand the entire parikrama journey to help us gain spiritual knowledge, and each face shows a different aspect of God.
Even though satellite imagery of the mountain has certainly shown what looks like human faces on the surface of the mountain, there is no evidence of any human-made faces, only natural geologic features. The face of Shiva comes from the mountain's unique topography and the effects of light and shadow on the surface.
Who climbed Mount Kailash?
Kailash has kept its mystery intact largely because none of the climbers have attempted to scale the mountain despite its comparatively modest height, with peaks such as Mount Everest.
There is only one instance on record of Mount Kailash being climbed, and it is Milarepa, an 11th-century Tibetan Buddhist yogi and poet. According to the story, Milarepa made a spiritual ascent of the mountain by competing with a Bon shaman in a mystical contest.
By his yogic powers, as one might say, Milarepa did not climb the summit physically but through his supernatural powers—some versions of the story narrate that he was going to the top on a sunbeam, riding as if it were a vehicle. Thus, the spiritual ascent says that Mount Kailash is a place for spiritual and meditation practices, but definitely not for mountaineering.
In 1926, British mountaineer Hugh Ruttledge scouted the north face of Mount Kailash and gave the verdict that it was "utterly unclimbable". At about the same period, Colonel R.C. Wilson examined the southern side and found a probable way up to the summit. Unfortunately, the two expeditions were stopped by a heavy snowfall and severe weather from going any higher.
Later on, different climbers, like Herbert Tichy in 1936, attempted to climb, prompting a local leader to suggest that only a man utterly sinless could climb Kailash, and he explained that even he wouldn't climb those sheer frozen walls, but rather turn himself into a bird and fly to the top.
In the 1980s, the Chinese Government offered famous mountaineer Reinhold Messner the chance to climb Kailash, but people say he turned it down by saying that climbing this peak would be like conquering something in the souls of people.
In 2001, a Spanish team applied for permission to climb Mount Kailash, and, once again, the Chinese Government refused their request, underlining Mount Kailash's sacred status and explicitly prohibiting climbing.
To this day, Kailash is a very unique mountain in that it is one of only a handful of prominent peaks in the world that no climbers have summited. Religious significance, rugged terrain and minimal access for the summit to be preserved in a pristine state led to a special summit for the world, untouched by the human footprint. Kailash is now revered for its spiritual significance and lovely nature.
Why is Mount Kailash Unclimbable?
Mount Kailash is an astonishing mountain in the middle of a desolate area called Ngari Prefecture, Tibet. No climbers have ever climbed it, though it is only 6,638 meters (21,778 feet) high. The reason for this is a combination of factors: the respect that the people give to the mountain from a spiritual point of view, the harshness and difficulty of the terrain, and the legal restrictions.
Reason 1: Sacred Significance Across Four Major Religions
Mount Kailash has been the center of cosmic and spiritual importance in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Bon. While Hinduism assigns it the home of Lord Shiva, Buddhism views it as the residence of Demchok.
Jains deem it the place where their first Tirthankara got enlightenment, and Bonpos see it as the abode of the divine god of their faith.
Followers of these four religions, respectively, in no way can people consider ascent anything other than a downright sacrilege act declaring the mountain to be a deity of pollution.
Reason 2: Government-Imposed Climbing Ban
The Chinese authorities have restricted the scale of Mount Kailash with a total ban since 2001. The main objectives in this policy are to safeguard the mountain from any transgression and to keep up good relations with neighboring countries like India and Nepal, which are the places where the mountain is most precious in the religious aspect.
Reason 3. Geographical Isolation and Harsh Terrain
Mount Kailash, which is more than 1,200 km away from Lhasa, is located in one of the least accessible places in Tibet. The way is full of difficulties:
Lack of Infrastructure: There is no base camp or route for the mountain, and the town closest to it, Darchen, is just a resting place for the followers of the religion.
Elevation and Cold Climate: The high altitude, combined with freezing temperatures, makes the trek extremely difficult and dangerous.
Steep and Rocky Slopes: The lower reaches of Mount Kailash are steep and rocky, which has kept the mountain unclimbed. Additionally, high winds and sudden storms are common weather problems that further add to the difficulties one might face climbing Mount Kailash.
Steep Slopes and Snow Cover: The mountain's pyramidal formation, which includes almost vertical sides and snow that does not melt, has made climbers find the climb extremely hard and treacherous.
High Altitude: Limited oxygen in the atmosphere at greater heights puts the climbers at risk of suffering from altitude disease.
Reason 5: Environmental Sensitivity
Mount Kailash exists within a fragile high-altitude ecosystem - a source for major rivers: the Indus, Sutlej, Brahmaputra, and Karnali. Disturbing the environment of the area could settle ecological impacts. Additionally, the climate is fierce, and there is little to no infrastructure for rescues, making any attempted ascent extremely hazardous to the climber.
Reason 6: Cultural and Ethical Considerations
The idea of climbing Mount Kailash is, for many, not a physical endeavor - it is an ethical pollution. The sanctity of Mount Kailash is embedded in the cultural and religious context of those who live in the area. Various local community members and religious groups consider climbing attempts an act of pollution and/or desecration.
Reason 7: Scientific Investigation
Because of the climbing ban and the sacred status of Mount Kailash, scientists have conducted very limited scientific investigation of Mount Kailash, such that there is much we do not know about the geology and environment of the mountain, and there is much left to the imagination.
Reason 8: Political Sensitivities
Mount Kailash is located at a tri-junction point of India, China, and Nepal. Therefore, it is a politically sensitive area - climbing activity could create many regional tensions as well as impact the international relationships of the three countries.
What Happened to Milarepa after climbing Mount Kailash?
If you have ever wondered if anyone has climbed Mount Kailash, the answer is yes and no. The only person people say climbed Mount Kailash is Milarepa. This is due to Milarepa's powerful meditation and superhuman powers.
Milarepa competed in a race with Naro Bonchung (a Bon practitioner) to see who could summit Mount Kailash first. Naro flew with the help of a magical drum, while Milarepa meditated at the base of the mountain until sunrise.
When Milarepa awoke, a sunbeam carried him to the summit while leaving Naro far behind. This was a symbol of the victory of Buddhism over the Bon religion and made Milarepa a highly regarded yogi and poet in Tibetan Buddhism.
Once Milarepa completed his summit of Mount Kailash, he apparently meditated on the surrounding area and brought extraordinary awareness to expansive experiences in his practice of enlightenment.
When Milarepa became a well-known teacher, he taught through songs and poetry, which contained the essential teachings of Tibetan Buddhism. He continues to inspire practitioners who desire awakening and liberation.
What do Pilgrims Find Inside Mount Kailash During Kailash Parikrama?
Sacred Sites on the Parikrama
The Parikrama is a 52 km trek around Mount Kailash that involves a number of sacred sites:
Yamdwar: the point of departure and symbolically the gateway to liberation.
Nandi Parvat: a sacred site with a view of Kailash from its north face.
Gauri Kund: a beautiful lake site associated with Goddess Parvati.
Rakshas Tal: a lake that pilgrims generally believe to be the dwelling of evil spirits and a counterpart to the pure place of Lake Mansarovar.
Tirthapuri: a pilgrimage site with hot springs.
These, and many others, are integral to the pilgrimage site, each with its own significance of meaning and spirituality.
Physical and Spiritual Challenges
The physical, mental, and spiritual challenges of the trek include successfully passing through Dolma La Pass at 5630m, as a long trek. The pilgrimage trek may include acute altitude sickness, physical exhaustion, emotional release, spiritual purification, and spiritual awakening.
Mystical Experiences and Visions
Several pilgrims have alluded that they experienced visual experiences, such as experiences with actions or sights of deities or sages, and even an enhanced sense of inward peace and connectedness to the universe, in the time frame of their Parikrama.
pilgrims refer to these mystical experiences and visions as gifts or confirmation of their spirit.
Community and Shared Compassion
Regardless of greater diversity and separation on the journey, pilgrims report a sense of unity with different groups of pilgrims throughout the journey.
Shared rituals, prayers, and compassion create the experience as a whole and meaningful while also creating the experience of a community and the community dimensions of pilgrimage.
Personal Transformation
Many pilgrims describe the Parikrama experience as life-altering, leading to an entirely different understanding of self and spirituality.
believers report the sacred perceived space through the context of their environment, and the challenge of doing the journey serves as part of making the experience transformative, and often produces an ongoing sense of peace and clarity.
Mount Kailash Tour: Can We Visit Inside The Kailash?
Path to mount Kailash
Yes, pilgrims can go inside the Mount Kailash area via the Mount Kailash Tour routes, but this is mainly through pilgrimage routes called "koras," which go around the mountain and some inner sacred paths close to the mountain.
Though a mountaintop ascent is not allowed, spiritual pilgrimages are made by going around and near the mountain so that one can feel the holiness of the place.
There are two primary trek routes:
Outer Kora (Circumambulation) Route
Distance: Approximately 52 km
Time: Usually 3 days
The Place Where It Starts and Ends: Darchen
Main Attractions Of The Route: Walk from Darchen to Dirapuk Monastery (day one), then to Zutulpuk Monastery passing Drolma Pass (day two), and back to Darchen (day three)
Feature: The most performed path by the followers of the four main traditions, which are Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Bon, the pilgrims are going either in a clockwise or an anticlockwise direction depending on the belief system.
Main Attractions of the Route: From Darchen to Selung Monastery, the hard climb to the 13 Golden Chortens and Saptarishi Cave near the foot of the mountain, the Nandi Pass is crossed, and the journey is back through Gyangdrak Monastery
Feature: It used to be the most difficult one and very ritualistic, and was dedicated to those who have done 13 outer koras only, which is now the only way to go unescorted with the help of altitude medicine since it has very high and rocky terrain and the altitude is over 5500 m.`
Tours to Visit Mount Kailash Inside and outside areas: