This blogpost discusses the beauty and significance of Mount Kailash. It elucidates the mythology behind the eternal importance and reverence for the place.
LOCATION
In the beauty of Himalayas
Located in the Trans-Himalayas, Mount Kailash is a 6638 metre high peak in the Greater Kailash Range. It is located near Lake Mansarovar and Rakshasthal. Mount Kailash is sacred to Hinduism, Buddhism as well as Jainism.
MYTHOLOGY
Abode of Shiva
Kailash is a Sanskrit word meaning crystal, which is where the mountain gets its name.
Mount Kailash is sacred to Hindus as it is said to be the place of residence of Lord Shiva. It is said that the first Tirthankara, Rishabhdev, attained enlightenment here which is why this place is also very sacred to Jains. Buddhists believe Mount Kailash to be the navel of the whole universe, so it holds meaning to them as well.
It is said that Ravan tried to uproot Mount Kailash. For this Lord Shiva pressed his big toe down and trapped him between the toe and the mountain. The Pandavs and Draupadi are said to have climbed Mount Kailash on the path of liberation to reach the Swarg Lake.
The first tirthankara, Rishabhdev, attained moksh at a site called Ashtapad. Due to his father attaining moksh, his son, King Bharat Chakravartin, built three stupas and 24 shrines, one of each tirthankara.
Mount Kailash is central to Buddhist cosmological studies. It is called Mount Meru in Buddhism. It is a major pilgrimage site as it is also said to be the home of a Buddhist monk – Chakrasamvar.
SIGNIFICANCE
A Symbol of Nature and Spirituality
The trek around Mount Kailash is believed to bring good fortune to the pilgrim. It is taken in a clockwise direction by Buddhists and Hindus and anticlockwise by Jains. This 52 kilometre long path can be covered in about 15 hours if it is chosen to be completed within a day itself. Devotees often complete it in this time despite the altitude sickness, uneven terrain and harsh weather conditions.
Due to an uneven terrain and high danger, attempting to scale Mount Kailash is banned for all.
ARCHAEOLOGY
History meets Mythology
On Mount Kailash, 13 gold reliquaries have been found. These contain bodily relics of 13 Buddhist masters that have been found at and around Mount Kailash. These reliquaries were rebuilt in the 1980s. They occupy a narrow fissure in the side of the mountain, and only few people can possibly enter at one time.
DEMOGRAPHY
The People of Kailash
As of 2021, Mount Kailash has a population of 5147 people with 2800 males and 2347 females.
Mount Kailash, attracting Faith and Belief
With a unique terrain and an explicable weather, Mount Kailash has become a unique destination for pilgrims, tourists, scientists and nature enthusiasts, alike. The curiosity is motivated by the elaborate and rich mythology associated with the place and due to the most difficult atmospheric and geographical conditions present at Mount Kailash. People visit the place to understand how the beauty and religion of Mount Kailash is enveloped with a bounty of natural phenomenon and resources. The richness of the place lies in the mythology, culture, geography and nature surrounding it.
To read about more such interesting places and to know more about our rich, diverse and culturally gifted country, log onto Sameedh and read more blog posts.
