Kailash Parvat Rahasya: Why No One Has Climbed the Holiest Mountain on Earth

There are taller mountains in the Himalaya. But no mountain holds the place that Mount Kailash does. For Hindus it is the home of Bhagwan Shiva and Mata Parvati. For Buddhists it is the abode of Demchok. For Jains it is Ashtapad, where the first Tirthankara, Rishabhdev, attained nirvana. For the ancient Bon religion of Tibet, it is the soul of the world.

Why has no one climbed it?

Mount Kailash (about 6,638 m) has never been climbed. In the 1980s, the famous mountaineer Reinhold Messner was reportedly offered the chance — and refused out of respect. Later attempts were not permitted, and climbing the mountain is now banned by Chinese authorities. The reason is simple: for over a billion people, Kailash is not a summit to conquer but a deity to circle.

The source of four rivers

Within a short distance of Kailash rise four of Asia's great rivers: the Indus, the Sutlej, the Brahmaputra (Yarlung Tsangpo) and the Karnali, which becomes the Ghaghara and joins the Ganga. Ancient texts described Kailash as the centre of the world, from which life-giving waters flow in four directions — and the map agrees.

Two lakes: one holy, one fearsome

Below Kailash lie two lakes side by side. Mansarovar, round like the sun, is fresh water and considered the holiest lake in the world — created, it is said, from the mind of Brahma. Just beside it, Rakshas Tal, shaped like a crescent moon, is salty and still. Legend links it to Ravana, who is said to have done penance there. Yatris bathe in Mansarovar, never in Rakshas Tal.

The face of Kailash

The mountain's four faces are said to be made of crystal, ruby, gold and lapis lazuli. The south face has a long vertical groove crossed by horizontal rock bands, which many see as a giant swastika — an ancient symbol of good fortune in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.

The parikrama

Instead of climbing, pilgrims walk around it. The outer kora is about 52 km and crosses the Dolma La pass at 5,630 m. Hindus and Buddhists walk clockwise; followers of Bon walk anti-clockwise.

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