Mt. Kailash Overland Adventures

Mount Kailash 7612m is considered a sacred place in four religions: Bon, Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism. The mountain lies near Lake Manasarowar and Lake Rakshastal in western Tibet. The Bon is a religion which predates Buddhism in Tibet 3000 years ago. Bon maintains that the entire mystical region and the nine-story Swastika Mountain are the seat of all spiritual power. In the history, Since Tibet King Trirel believe in Buddhism many years ago, there occurred a strong violent between the two religions.

Later anyhow Bon in Tibet became powerless until now but, still there are few monasteries in Tibet in TAR and Amdo. Tantric Buddhists believe that Mt. Kailash is the home of the Buddha Demchok (the wrathful manifestation of Avaloketsvara) who represents supreme bliss. There are numerous sites in the region associated with Guru Rinpoche and his meditation caves. Guru Rinpoche took tantric practices in holy sites around Tibet are credited with finally established Buddhism as the main religion of Tibet in the 7th–8th century. It is said that Milarepa, champion of Tantric Buddhism, arrived in Tibet to challenge Naro Bonchung, champion of the Bon religion of Tibet. The two magicians engaged in a terrifying sorcerers battle, but neither was able to gain a decisive advantage. Finally, it was agreed that whoever could reach the summit of Kailash most rapidly would be the victor. While Naro Bonchung sat on magic drum and​​ soared up the slope, Milarepa's followers were dumbfounded to see him sitting still and meditating. Yet when Naro Bonchung was nearly at the top, Milarepa suddenly moved into action and overtook him by riding on the rays of the sun, thus winning the contest. He did, however, fling a handful of snow on to the top of a nearby mountain, since known as Bonri, bequeathing it to the Bonpo and thereby ensuring continued Bonpo connections with the region.​

​ In Jainism, Kailash is also known as Meru Parvat or Sumeru. Ashtapada, the mountain next to Mt.Kailash is the site where the first Jain Tirthankara, Rishabhadeva, attained Nirvana/moksa  or liberation.

​ ​As Lord Shiva is the destroyer of ignorance and illusion, Hinduisms believe that Lord Shiva resides at the summit of Mt. Kailsh, where he sits in a state of perpetual meditation along with his wife Parvati. Still many of the Kailasanathar temple's sculptures and relics depict episodes relating to Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati, including Ravana's tale. (Ravana was a devotee of Lord Shiva. Ramayana does not document Ravana shaking the mountain.) Ravana's mother had fallen ill. As they were great Lord Shiva devotees, he had attempted to carry the temple on his back to bring it closer to his mother. Shiva, being stunned by his boldness, had blessed him with immortality as Ravana had passed Lord Shiva's test of devotion.

​ ​​Some pilgrims believe that the entire walk around Kailash should be made in a single day, which is not considered an easy task, a total 52km. Making a Kora (circumambulation) around the Kailash is much popular among the hikers who requires a real challenge and experience. Walking around the holy mountain has to be done on foot with support of potters or yaks taking some three days of trekking starting from a height of around 4,600m past the flagpole to cross the Drolma pass 5,600m and encamping for two nights en-route.