Often referred to as the ‘stairway to heaven’, Mount Kailash is one of the most mysterious, revered, and enigmatic mountains in the world. And as a trekking enthusiast or otherwise, people are often inclined towards knowing more about this peak.
But before delving into many details about Mt. Kailash and the facts surrounding Mt. Kailash, it is important to know what exactly we are talking about and where Mount Kailash is.
Therefore, in this blog, we will be discussing the location of Mount Kailash, its physical attributes, and also touching slightly upon its religious and cultural significance. So, continue reading.
Mount Kailash Location and Coordinates
Often believed to be the spiritual center of the world, Mount Kailash is located in the remote western part of the Tibetan plateau, which is a vast region perching in high altitude ranges which is hailed for its rugged beauty.
The exact location of Mount Kailash in terms of coordinates is 31.0675° N latitude and 81.3119° E longitude which lies within Burang County (also known as Purang County) in the Ngari Prefecture of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
The region that houses this spiritual jewel is known as the Ngari Prefecture which lies near the trijunction of three countries: China, India, and Nepal. The mountain is considered to be in the heart of the Trans Himalaya Mountain range.
Mount Kailash stands tall at an impressive altitude of 6,638 meters (21,778 ft). While this doesn’t make it the tallest peak in the world, it is still distinctive due to its symmetrical shape as well as its unclimbed status.
For those wanting a geographical reference, the nearest cities to Mount Kailash are Lhasa and Shigatse in Tibet. It lies at a distance of approximately 1,400 kms from Lhasa.
You will also find that the sources of some of the longest rivers of Asia including Indus, Sutlej, Brahmaputra, and Karnali lie near Mount Kailash, along with Mansarovar Lake which is one of the highest freshwater lakes in the world.
The Kailash Range
A part of the more elaborate Trans Himalaya Range, the Kailash range is where Mount Kailash exactly lies. This range stretches all the way from India across Tibet. It is also known as a counterpart to the dominant Himalayas.
What is unique about the Kailash range is that while other Himalayan ranges feature rugged formations, the Kailash range features rather smooth and pyramid like mountain formations.
Surrounding the Kailash range are other significant peaks like the Naimonanyi Peak and other high altitude desert regions and vast open space which creates a contrast to the snowcapped peak of Mt. Kailash.
Cultural and Religious Significance
Mount Kailash is not merely a snowcapped rocky structure or a mountain featuring stunning views. This peak has immense cultural and religious significance across various religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, as well as Bon.
Mount Kailash in Hinduism
In Hinduism, Mount Kailash is often regarded as an earthly manifestation of Mt. Meru, which is the spiritual center of universe as described in ancient Hindu scriptures.
Mount Kailash is known as the holy abode of one of the main deities in Hinduism who is known as the supreme ascetic, Lord Shiva, and his consort Mata Parvati. Therefore, Hindus consider Mt. Kailash to be the axis of the universe.
The structure and power of the mountain is such that it is referred to as the ‘Axis Mundi’ or a cosmic axis that connects heavens, earth, and the underworld as per Hinduism.
Moreover, the peak is surrounded by 8 small mountains which represent a lotus flower and is believed to emit divine spiritual energy. Thus, circumambulating Mt. Kailash (Parikrama) is considered to be an act of utmost penance in Hinduism.
Also, a dip in Lake Mansarovar at the base of Mt. Kailash is believed to cleanse the soul of pilgrims and help them attain Moksha. They also believe that the peak remains unclimbed as it is the home of Lord Shiva.
Mount Kailash in Buddhism
As far as Tibetan Buddhism is concerned, Mt. Kailash is addressed by many other names like Gang Rinpoche, Gang Tise, or Kangri Rinpoche which means a precious snow mountain.
Even for Buddhists, Mt. Kailash is regarded as the earthly representation of Mt. Meru and the cosmic center of the universe as per Buddhist cosmology. It is a sacred pilgrimage site for many Buddhists.
As per Vajrayana Buddhism, Mt. Kailash is considered the abode of Demchok (Chakrasamvara) who is considered a wrathful deity representing ultimate bliss. Therefore, the mountain is believed to be the union of wisdom and compassion.
A manifestation of the core principles of Buddhism, it is believed that circumambulating Mt. Kailash purifies negative karma and helps the pilgrims to attain enlightenment.
This ritual of Kora is performed during the Saga Dawa festival. They also represent Mt. Kailash as the center of the sacred mandala which is believed to be a diagram of the universe and often used while meditating.
Mount Kailash in Jainism
Like every other religious belief, even Jainism has a different name as well as a different religious theory for Mt. Kailash. They call Mt. Kailash by the name Ashtapada, meaning ‘Mountain of Eight Steps’, and it is an important pilgrimage site.
It is believed in Jainism that Mt. Kailash is the place where Rishabhadeva, who is the first Tirthankara, got liberated from the cycle of birth and rebirth, which is known as Moksha.
Therefore, in Jainism, the mountain represents detachment and spiritual purity as Rishabhadeva attained both enlightenment and nirvana on this same mountain after years of meditation.
While the basic idea of immense spiritual energy and attaining moksha at Mt. Kailash matches with that of Hinduism and Buddhism, the Jains do not circumambulate the peak.
Mount Kailash in Bon Religion
Another indigenous traditional group in Tibet called Bon also hails Mt. Kailash in the highest regard. As per the Bon religion too, the mountain represents the axis of the world.
They consider the peak to be the spiritual seat of Sipaimen, who is a revered goddess in Bon culture. They believe that the mountain serves as an eternal source of spiritual power.
They address the peak as ‘Nine Storied Swastika Mountain’ or ‘Yungdrung Gutsek’. They believe that the Swastika symbol is naturally engraved on the southern face of Mount Kailash.
They too circumambulate the peak in order to remove negativity and cleanse past karmic actions. They also believe that a journey to Mt. Kailash will allow them to connect deeper with nature and spirits.
Kailash Mansarovar Yatra
Along with Mount Kailash, you will see two different lakes situated at the base of it, namely Lake Mansarovar and Rakshas Lake. The journey to Mount Kailash and Mansarovar Lake is considered to be a pilgrimage.
This journey to Kailash Mansarovar is known as the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, and it is considered as one of the most challenging and spiritually rewarding pilgrimages in the world.
This yatra includes taking a dip in the holy Mansarovar lake which is believed to have healing properties, and circumambulating (Parikrama) of Mount Kailash, which starts and ends at Darchen.
How to Reach Mount Kailash?
While many religious faiths converge at the sacred Mount Kailash, reaching here is not that easy of a job. There are many routes that lead to Mount Kailash, opening it to pilgrims from different parts of the world.
However, irrespective of the route chosen, you have to plan your journey, have good physical endurance and the capacity to navigate through challenging terrains at high altitude regions.
As Mount Kailash is located in the western part of Tibet Autonomous Region, you can access the peak from either Nepal, India, or mainland China. Below are the detailed Kailash Mansarovar Yatra routes that you can follow:
Travel from Nepal
Nepal serves as one of the primary gateways for pilgrims and travelers heading to the sacred Mount Kailash, offering both overland travel and trekking options.
The most preferred route is now via Kyirong. Travelers start their journey with a drive from Kathmandu to Kyirong via the Rasuwagadhi border.
After completing the necessary formalities at the border, the overland journey continues from Kyirong through Tibetan villages, passing Saga, Mansarovar Lake, and finally reaching Mount Kailash.
This route has become more popular due to its accessibility and relatively smooth travel experience.
An alternative route for those seeking a more adventurous option is via Simikot and Hilsa. This route begins with a flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, followed by a connecting flight to Simikot.
From there, trekkers embark on a 5-6 day trek through the rugged and remote Humla district, providing an authentic experience of rural Nepal. After reaching Hilsa, the last village on the Nepal-Tibet border, trekkers cross the Karnali River via a suspension bridge and officially enter Tibet.
Following the required border formalities, the journey continues to Taklakot (Purang) before heading to Mount Kailash base.
The route via Nyalam and the Friendship Bridge, which was once a popular choice, is currently not in operation after the 2015 earthquake. Therefore, travelers now prefer the Kyirong route or the more adventurous Simikot-Hilsa trek.
Travel from Lhasa, Tibet
For those starting from Lhasa, you can continue your journey overland by crossing through Tibetan cities including Shigatse, Saga, and Darchen which you can explore for a while too. Darchen is the final stop before starting Kailash Parikrama (also known as Kora).
As far as transportation is concerned, travelers can get many options including jeep, SUVs, shared bus services, local transportation options like mini vans, etc.
Travel from India
For people traveling from India, the most common route is via the Lipulekh Pass. Starting from the state of Uttarakhand in India, pilgrims travel to the town of Dharchula.
From here they go to Gunji and then the Lipulekh Pass which is the border between India and Tibet. After that, the overland journey continues in Tibet via towns like Taklakot.
Another relatively new route has also been established via Sikkim where the pilgrims travel to the border post at Nathu La from where they can cross in to Tibet.
After entering Tibet, an overland journey follows through Tibetan towns like Shigatse and Saga before reaching Darchen.
Best Time to Visit Mount Kailash
While the journey to Mount Kailash is considered challenging as it is, picking the wrong season to visit here can increase your challenges ten folds. Therefore, choosing the right time to visit Mount Kailash is crucial to ensure a safe and fulfilling pilgrimage or trekking experience.
The best months to embark on this spiritual journey are from May to October when the weather is relatively stable and favorable. During these months, temperatures are moderate, and the skies are generally clear, providing stunning views of the mountain and its surroundings.
The months of Spring (April to May) are ideal for those who prefer mild temperatures and blooming landscapes, while autumn season (September to October) offers crisp, clear days that are perfect for trekking and circumambulation (Kora/ Parikrama) around Mount Kailash.
However, summer (July to August) brings the monsoon season, which can lead to muddy trails, landslides, and travel disruptions, making it less favorable for people who prefer trekking over overland routes.
The months of winter (November to March) are not recommended as you will be experiencing extreme cold, heavy snowfall, and closed access routes, making the region largely inaccessible.
For those wanting a more spiritually immersive experience, visiting Mount Kailash during the Saga Dawa festival, usually occurring in May or June, can be a good idea.
During this time, you will see many Buddhist pilgrims collected here to celebrate the birth, enlightenment, and death of Gautam Buddha. Therefore, you can have a unique opportunity to witness vibrant cultural festivities and join thousands of pilgrims from around the world.
