Mount Kailash
Mount Kailash (कैलाश पर्वत): The abode of Shiva
An arduous trek through the snow clad Himalyas leads a pilgrim to Mount Kailash (also known as Hemakootam) in the Himalayas. This towering peak situated north of the Manasarovar Lake (considered as one of the Shakthi Peethams) is ailed as the Abode of Lord Shiva. Kailash Parvat is one of the four Shivasthalam in the Himalayas, the other three being Gowrikund, Kedarnath and Indraneela Parvatha. Several major rivers have their source around the Manasarovar Lake and Mount Kailash.
Mount Kailash, appearing like a giant Shivalingam placed in a 16 petaled lotus, is regarded by Hindus as an embodiment of Shiva and Parvati. The Buddhists refer to the sacred mountain as Kangri Karchchak, they regard the presiding deity of Mount Kailash as the deity with three eyes, holding the Damaru and the Trishul; his consort is referred to as Dorje Fangmo. The Jains regard Mount Kailash as the Ashtapada Mountain where the first Thirthankara Adinath (Rishabhadeva) attained Nirvana.
Every year, thousands make a pilgrimage to Kailash, following a tradition going back thousands of years. Pilgrims of several religions believe that circumambulating Mount Kailash on foot is a holy ritual that will bring good fortune. The peregrination is made in a clockwise direction by Hindus and Buddhists.