Mount Kailash is a sacred mountain located in Tibet that is important in several religions. It is considered inaccessible at 22,000 feet high on the Tibetan Plateau. For Hindus and Buddhists, Mount Kailash is believed to be Mount Meru, the center of the universe. Pilgrims visit Mount Kailash to circumambulate it, though climbing to the peak is forbidden. Two lakes, Mansarovar and Rakshas Tal, lie at the base of Mount Kailash, with Mansarovar being the highest freshwater lake in the world and holding deep spiritual significance.

1. K a i l a s h M a n s a r o v a r

2. Mount Kailash—the Stairway to Heaven—is the most intriguing mountain range is the whole of
Himalayas, so we thought of divulging some things that you might not know about it. As a
matter of fact, Mount Kailash is 22,000 ft from the Tibetan Plateau, which is largely considered
to be inaccessible. For Hindus and Buddhists, Mount Kailash is the physical embodiment of
Mount Meru. Here are 10 of the most interesting, little-known facts about one of the world’s
most sacred and mysterious mountain peak—Mount Kailash.
Contrary to popular claims, the pyramid-shaped Mount Meru is the result of the possessed
technical expertise of some superhuman divine beings.
• According to the Buddhist and Hindu scriptures, around the Mount Meru exist ancient
monasteries and caves wherein the holy sages reside in their material and subtle bodies. These
caves can be seen by only a few fortunate ones.
• Every year, thousands of pilgrims enter Tibet for pilgrimage to the holy Mount Kailash. A few
make it to the region and a very few manage to finish circumambulating the hallowed peak. As
for climbing up the summit, some daring mountaineers have attempted to do so, but with no
luck.

3. Trekking all the way up to the peak of Mount Kailash is held to be a forbidden act among Hindus
for the fear of trespassing the sanctity of the mountain and disturbing the divine energies
residing there. As per a Tibetan lore, a monk named Milarepa once ventured far enough to
reach the top of Mount Meru. When he returned, he forewarned everyone to avoid bothering
the God resting high up in the peak.
• Two beautiful lakes, namely Mansarovar and Rakshas Tal, are located at the base of Mount
Kailash. Of the two, Mansarovar, which lies at an altitude of 14, 950 ft, is considered the highest
freshwater body in the world.
• While Mansarovar has a deep spiritual significance, its antithesis, Rakshas Tal, was born of the
intense austerities performed by the demon King Ravana to please Lord Shiva. For its close
association with a demoniac entity, the Rakshas Tal Lake is endowed with salty water and
deprived of aquatic plant life and marine life.

5. Mount Kailash is believed to be the Axis Mundi aka the cosmic axis, world axis, world pillar,
centre of the world, the world tree. It is the point where heaven meets earth. The Google Maps
vouch for the validity of this fact.
• True to its nature, the water of the holy Lake Mansarovar stays placid whether it is windy or
not. Also, its next-door neighbour, Rakshas Tal stays more or less turbulent.