The famous Mount Kailash is situated in the south-western segment of Tibet in the Himalayan Mountains. The elevation of Mount Kailash is 6638m that is 21778 ft and this mountain is considered as one of the highest parts of the Himalayan range.
Mount Kailash is considered very sacred for the Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Bons (Tibetan Religion). Mythological beliefs that Lord Shiva resides and meditates at the peak of Mount Kailash. Some Scientists specified this unique mountain as the “spiritual center of the world”. The north pole is around 6,666 Km away from Mount Kailash and the south pole is double this distance that is 13,332 Km. The central axis of this mountain is known as “Axis Mundi”, meaning the axis of Earth between celestial poles. The most amazing fact about this is that the exact location of the Axis Mundi was specified in the holy epic Ramayana.
The base of Mount Kailash is covered by two lakes separated by an Isthmus. The two lakes have totally opposite characteristics. The names of these two lakes are Mansarovar and Rakshas Tal.
Mansarovar Lake is the highest freshwater lake and is calm in nature. The shape of the Mansarovar lake is round, resembling the shape of the Sun. The water of the Mansarovar lake is considered holy and a great variety of life can be witnessed around this lake. The unique feature about this lake is that, even though Mount Kailash stays snow-capped mostly throughout the year, this lake never freezes even though it is at that high altitude. The water never shows waves even in extreme climate conditions.
The Rakshas tal lake is situated just beside the Mansarovar lake and being in the same geographical condition it shows totally opposite characteristics. The shape of the Rakshas Tal Lake is quite similar to the shape of the crescent moon. The water of this lake is extremely salty which results in no presence of life around it. This lake is the highest saltwater lake in the world. The water of this lake is very turbulent, that is it always has waves and is never quiet. The Rakshastal Lake is considered unholy and most people avoid taking baths in this lake.
The most amazing fact about these two lakes is that being side by side in the same geographical conditions, these two lakes show such different characteristics.
Now, through my research and detailed study, I would point out a spiritual side of Mount Kailash, which many people can differ from, and many will agree.
In Hinduism, Mount Kailash is considered the place where Lord Shiva - the God of Destruction and Regeneration, and Devi Parvati meditate and immerse in eternal bliss.
Mount Kailash is around 6,638 meters tall, whereas Mount Everest is 8,848 meters tall, which makes Mount Everest the highest peak of the world. The amazing fact about this is that Mount Everest being the tallest peak has been trekked by more than 10,000 people, but there is no evidence of any person who has trekked to the top of Mount Kailash, except a Tibetan monk, Milarepa. Trekking to Mount Kailash has been banned by the government.
Scientists define that steep slopes, low oxygen and sudden changes in temperature result in making trekking very difficult to this region. The mythological belief behind this is that the footfall of normal humans in the meditation place of holy monks and almighty Lord Shiva would degrade the sanity of the place.
People who tried climbing in this mountain have various strange stories to tell, like some would say that they have aged rapidly during the climb and there was a significant increase in the lengths of their hair and nails. These facts in science imply that during the time the people were near Mount Kailash, the body had efficient cell production for repair and renewal processes.
Mount Kailash is made up of black rock and has a unique diamond-like structure. It is believed that Mount Kailash has gold mines and other mineral resources inside it.
In the year 1999, an expedition of Russian Scientists led by Dr Ernst Muldashev claimed that Mount Kailash is too perfectly shaped for a natural mountain. Dr. Muldashev specified that Mount Kailash is an ancient man-made pyramid surrounded by smaller man-made pyramids. Muldashev estimated that humans who were sophisticated and aware of the laws of subtle energy constructed the pyramids. According to his writing, the mountain is the most significant component of a system of prehistoric monumental constructions and has a direct connection to the world's major pyramids, including the Teotihuacan and Giza pyramids. During his expedition, he and his team members heard some strange sounds in the middle of the night from the interior of the mountains claiming the fact that there is some living creature inside the mountain.
In 1905, G.C. Rawling stated that the shape of Mount Kailash resembles a vast cathedra, the sides of the mountain are perpendicular and fall sheer for hundreds of feet, the strata horizontal, the layers of stone varying slightly in color, and the dividing lines showing up clear and distinct, which give to the entire mountain the appearance of having been built by giant hands, of huge blocks of reddish stone.
Later Chinese scientists specified that the formation of Kalish was due to erosion and extreme weather conditions.
Mount Kailash has a cryptic swastika (卍) on its southern face. The early inhabitants of the Kailash region, who belonged to the Bon faith, dubbed Kailash "Nine-Story Swastika Mountain." An old symbol of the Bon religion is the “swastika”. As the sun sets on the massive vertical ice cracks and horizontal rock strata, shadows form a (partial) left-facing swastika sign () on the southern slope. Above the snow line, the upper half is less visible than the lower half. In Mahayana Tibetan Buddhism and Bon beliefs, the left-facing Swastika is a symbol of spiritual strength, signifying protection, auspiciousness, and endless existence.
The snowier south face of Kailash is a magnificent feature. A mountain's southern slopes should have less snow than its north face since, in the northern hemisphere, the south side receives more sunlight. In stark contrast, Mt. Kailash's north face experiences comparatively little snowfall throughout the year, while its south face experiences year-round glaciers and snowfall. Kailash's climate and geographic location make it a natural wonder. The summer monsoon sends copious amounts of yearly precipitation to the southern slope of Mount Kailash, which faces the Indian Ocean. On the northern side, the air is relatively dry, but the moist air rising above the southern slope readily generates snow.
There are some predominant beliefs regarding Mount Kailash which are very evident and realistic from the perspective of spiritual science. It is said that pilgrims take rounds (Parikrama) around Mount Kailash, during this period most pilgrims and devotees or travelers feel eternal vibrations and a sense of energy. Modern readers may find it very unrealistic but until you put your hand inside an electric socket, you will not feel the electricity as you can't see it. Similarly, the vibes and energy around Mount Kailash can only be felt. Some scientists believe that there are electromagnetic devices or natural electromagnetic poles inside Mount Kailash radiating a certain kind of vibration, due to this Kailash Mountain is “no flying zone” and no helicopters or airplanes fly over the holy sacred mountain.
People who have taken rounds around the holy mountain of Kailash, specify that a path of creativity has opened up for them giving them enlightenment for the future and a vision for life. Mount Kailash has three rounds, known as three parikramas - the first one is around Mount Kailash which most travelers know about, the second one is difficult and has a very steep climb, which people majorly people avoid it and the third one is known as the no rescue zone and is known as the “Nandi path”, it is very rare and it is said that in this region the saints meditates still. It is said that doing the parikramas around Kailash burns away one's karma.
Dr. Radhakrishnan Pillai stated that he got the vision to learn more about Kautilya's Arthashastra after visiting Mount Kailash. He also stated that he has observed stars falling from the sky into the lakes again rising up.
This can be higher beings or higher energies which look like stars from a distance.
It is believed that monks and pilgrims meditated in the interior of Mount Kailash for 400 years or above to achieve nirvana.
Mythological belief states that at the top of Kailash, there is a city of mystery known as Gyanganj, which the Chinese specify as Shangri-La. This is a fictional city which is believed to have all the holy monks and pilgrims.
The facts and beliefs stated within this Article are based on detailed research, studies, and a deeper understanding of spirituality. It is very important for this young generation to know about the culture, heritage, and facts which have already been stated and proved in our Vedic literature. The sense of awakening of spirituality and belief will help any person to prosper in life.
Mount Kailash is not only a mountain but a place of mystery, where science mixes with belief and deeper spirituality.
I will end this article with the words of Sir Saint Augustine -
“Faith is to believe what you do not see, the reward of this faith is to see what you believe.”