Indeed, Mt. Kailash lies at a height of approximately 22000 feet above the Tibetan plateau; it is not simply any Himalayan mountain, in fact it is a sacred centre for millions in the Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Bönpo sects. More famously known as the ‘Pilgrimage to Heaven’, or the ‘Stairway to Heaven’ Mount Kailash is known to hold multiple layers of symbolism for its votaries. Here are some of the most interesting and lesser-known facts about Mount Kailash: 1. The Shape of the Mountain: A Pyramid in the Sky It is Mount Kailash, scientifically baffling scientists in the same way as it baffled travelers. It stand in the shape of triangle having four sharp edges plane and pointed and looks more like a pyramid than a mountain and rise s to hundreds of feet falling on steep, vertical faces on all the four side – north south east and west. This balance has been potentially profitable enough for some people to even tentatively suggest that perhaps it is man constructed, and not naturally created.
1. The Shape of the Mountain:
A Pyramid in the Sky It is Mount Kailash, scientifically baffling scientists in the same way as it baffled travelers. It stand in the shape of triangle having four sharp edges plane and pointed and looks more like a pyramid than a mountain and rise s to hundreds of feet falling on steep, vertical faces on all the four side – north south east and west. This balance has been potentially profitable enough for some people to even tentatively suggest that perhaps it is constructed, by some high divine power and not naturally created.
2. The Axis Mundi: The Center of the World
For Hindus, Mount Kailash is the axis mundi or the world navel. They called it as the spot on earth which is the meeting point between the heaven and the earth and where the axis of the world rest. This opinion is also supported by other religions as well. In Tibetan Buddhism it is taken as the place of Demchok, the Buddha of ultimate joy. Meantime for Bon religion Mount Kailash has similar significance as axis of the earth Bön, meaning that it connect the poles of the sky.
3. A Hollow Mountain with Positive Energy
Some geologists say that energy emitted in all directions of the symmetrical pyramidal Mountain of Meru could disseminate energy in all direction. It is considered to have religious or curative influence, with around 10,000 annual visitors to the area for this purpose. A few are also in a perception that spiritual gurus and awakened souls live in the caves in the mountain and that the caves are invisible to most people.
4. Sacred Home of Lord Shiva
To followers of the Hindu religion it is the eternal home of Lord Shiva, who is one of the main Hindu deities. Shiva is depicted meditating here as the celestial arrow marks time eternal sleep. That’s why, millions come to this mountain every year, and many believers start the Kailash Parikrama – walking clockwise around the mountain, which is considered holy.
5.The Two Sacred Lakes
Mansarovar and Rakshas Tal are located in the base of Mount Kailash and has a spiritual value. Lake Mansarovar is also believe to be the highest freshwater lake in the world having an altitude of 4558 meters.
Even among Hindus this is considered as very sacred because most of them believe that through water one washes away sins. It is a large and brilliantly colored lake where thousands of pilgrims from all parts of the world take a rinse ,while visit Mount Kailash.
There is another nearby lake-salt-water lake – Rakshas Tal,it’s history takes us to the Mahasura great lanka king Ravana who according to the legends had done severe penance here in order to please Lord Shiva. Rakshas Tal contains water which is dangerous and agonizing in contrast with the shallow and tranquil water in Mansarovar.
Despite the fact that Mansarovar Lake may become even quite windy, it does not stir up its water much, different from Rakshas Tal.Both Mansarovar and Rakshas Tal have unique qualities. While the waters of Lake Mansarovar are placid and still, even in windy conditions, Rakshas Tal remains more turbulent and unpredictable. This contrast further accentuates the spiritual dichotomy between good and evil, purity and corruption, present in the mythology surrounding Mount Kailas
6.Ancient Monasteries and Caves
Buddhist and Hindu texts testify that there are ancient monasteries and caves surrounding Mount Kailash in which holy sages stays in their physical and spiritual forms. These caves and snow-covered peaks are believed to be hidden from sight, revealed only to those blessed with divine grace or special insight.
8. Mount Kailash and the Tibetan Pilgrimage
Every year, thousands of pilgrims make their way to Tibet to visit Mount Kailash. The journey is arduous and spiritually fulfilling, as completing the Kailash Parikrama is believed to bring purification and enlightenment. While many make the pilgrimage, only a few manage to complete the entire circuit around the mountain, a testament to the physical and spiritual challenges it presents.
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People Who Tried to Climb Mount Kailash but Failed: Their Stories
Mount Kailash is one of the most holy mountains in the world and yet many adventure seekers have attempted to climb it over the years. These people wanted to conquer the top of the mountain and were thwarted by the spiritual and physical powers of the mountain. Their stories give us a glimpse into the sacredness of the mountain which many believe actively prevents human interference. Here are some of the most interesting failures:
1. The First Western Expedition (1926)
In 1926 a Western expedition led by a German climber Dr. Heinrich Harrer attempted to climb Mount Kailash. Dr. Harrer who later became famous for his journey through Tibet and for writing Seven Years in Tibet described the spiritual energy around the mountain as overwhelming. The team was well prepared but faced harsh conditions, extreme weather, altitude sickness and a sense of fear which many attribute to the sacredness of the mountain. As they neared the top they were forced to turn back due to bad weather and a feeling that the mountain was not meant to be climbed. Harrer himself later wrote about the awe and fear he felt around Kailash and hinted that there was something beyond physical challenges at play.
2. Japanese Team (2001)
In 2001 a Japanese mountaineering team attempted to climb Mount Kailash despite its sacredness in Hinduism and Buddhism. The team faced physical challenges of strong winds, cold temperature and high altitude but were not deterred. As they neared the top one of them fell seriously ill. The team had to retreat and members cited not just the physical challenges but a spiritual “block” or resistance they couldn’t overcome. After the attempt they expressed deep respect for the mountain’s sanctity and admitted that perhaps they were wrong to try to conquer such a holy place.
3. British Attempt in 19th Century
In 19th century there were several reports of British explorers and colonial officials attempting to climb Mount Kailash. One of the most famous was an expedition led by Sir Francis Younghusband who had already explored other parts of Tibet. When they approached Kailash, Younghusband’s team was stopped by a fierce storm and a series of strange events, sudden illnesses among the team members and mechanical failures. The expedition failed and Younghusband later wrote that perhaps Mount Kailash was not meant to be climbed as it seemed to actively prevent them from being there.
4. French Expedition (1985)
In 1985 a French expedition led by famous climbers attempted to climb Mount Kailash knowing the sacredness of the mountain. As they neared the top they felt an intense “psychic pressure” which grew stronger the closer they got to the top. One of the climbers fell seriously ill and another had severe altitude sickness. The team had to abandon the mission and members admitted that they felt an invisible force guiding them to retreat. Many of the team members later spoke of having vivid dreams and spiritual experiences during their time around Kailash and said that the mountain’s magic might have been the reason for their failure.
5. Modern Day Attempts
In recent years a few adventurous trekkers from around the world have attempted to climb Mount Kailash despite the ban on summiting. Many of these climbers who are experienced mountaineers describe the physical challenge of reaching the base camp as much tougher than they expected. High altitude sickness, freezing temperature and strong winds are common obstacles but some trekkers report a psychological barrier as well. Some say the mountain is “fighting back” with climbers having unsettling dreams, nausea or feeling guilty. Most who have reached close to the top have had to turn back for medical reasons and later reflected on the spiritual and sacred atmosphere around Kailash.
The Spiritual Significance of Failure
Every failed attempt to climb Mount Kailash is not just a physical failure but a spiritual one. Many believe that the mountain being the abode of Lord Shiva exerts an invisible and divine force to keep intruders away. In Hinduism Tibetans believe that disturbing the mountain’s sanctity would anger the deities residing there. So every climber who has turned back or failed to summit has often come away with a sense of reverence and some even report a sense of personal transformation.
The failed expeditions are a proof that Mount Kailash is not a mountain to be climbed but a sacred place to be revered. For many the experience of trying to reach the top only proves that Mount Kailash is meant to be left untouched and its sanctity must be kept for the future.
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