Mt. Kailash presents probably the biggest irony in tourism world and pilgrimage destinations. It is the most renowned and divine place visited by the devotees across the borders. The mountain is an important religious destination for many religions like Jainism, Buddhism, and Hinduism and holds different significance to different religion just like the various names it has. The mountain towers up to 22,000 feet above sea level and is considered to be one of the toughest high rises to climb or even reach. Pilgrims even with the toughest of vehicles take weeks to reach here through a journey, which is nothing less than a great challenge.
For Hindus, Mt. Kailash is the sacred abode of Lord Shiva, ‘The God of Destruction’ of evil and sorrow. Hindus consider this mountain as eternal heaven and the center of soul and spirituality. As the legend has it, Lord Shiva sits at top of Mt. Kailash meditating and practicing yoga. The mountain is assumed to be the center of the world and the four rivers flowing through Kailash dividing the world in four different regions. In fact, the famous rock cut Ellora caves in Maharashtra is named after Mt. Kailash. The walls of this cave have many carvings related to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
Buddhist calls it Mountain Kang Rimpoche, ‘The Precious One of Glacial Snow’. The locales of Tibet call it Tise. They consider this to be the resting place of Buddha Demchok and the place where the intimidating battle between Milarepa and Naro Bonchung took place. Milarepa was the master of Tantric Buddhism (magic), and Naro Bonchung was the champion of Bon religion. After a long battle, no results were in sight and both came to a conclusion that the one who reaches the top of the mountain first wins. Soon Naro Bonchung got on his magic drum and proceeded towards the tip, but to everybody’s amazement, Milarepa sat there meditating. As Naro Bonchung was about to reach the top, Milerapa sprang into action and overtook him by riding the rays of Sun. Since then Buddhism prevails in Tibet.
This begins from Kathmandu with city tours. This is big opportunity to know about history, Culture and People life style of Nepal and Tibet. The drive to Mt Kailash from Kathmandu through the scenic countryside offers you lovely view of the high mountain range.