Kailash Parvat-10 Amazing Facts
Kailash Parvat (Mount Kailash), is located in western Tibet. Hindus believe it to be the sacred abode of Lord Shiva. Almost 7,000 people have abled to climb 8,848 metre high Everest. But no one has been able to climb this 6,638 metre high mysterious Kailash till today. Why? There is a number of amazing spiritual facts or reasons behind it. Here, I would like to describe 10 amazing facts about the world’s most sacred and mysterious parvat peak — Kailash Parvat.
1.Highly Radioactive Parvat
Kailash Parvat is highly radioactive. According to a mountaineer, it is impossible to climb this parvat because the hair and nails grow very fast and the head does not do any work as soon as one gets close to it. It seems that someone else is controlling him. The Hindu belief is that no living person can go there as it is the abode of Lord Shiva. Only a person who has never done any evil in his life can reach there after death.
2.Shiva Pyramid
In 1999, a team of Russian scientists visited the foothills of Kailash Parvat and came to the conclusion that it is not an ordinary parvat but a pyramid covered with ice that is surrounded by some smaller pyramids. That is why Kailash Parvat is also called ‘Shiva Pyramid‘. This parvat is considered sacred not only by Hindus, but also by Jains, Buddhists and the ancient ‘Bon’ traditional view of Tibet. Hindus believe that Lord Shiva, the destroyer of evil, sits in perpetual meditation on the mountain. Tibetan Buddhists believe that the Buddha Demchok, who represents supreme bliss, lives on the Kailash Parvat.
3.The Sacred Image Of Swastika
Hindu Puranas narrate that the four sides of Kailash Parvat are made of crystal, ruby, gold and lapis lazuli. This information is not true. However, the illusion is created for different types of looks of Kailash Parvat at different parts of a day. At the point of the sun set, the parvat is said to cast a shadow, which looks similar to the sacred image of Swastika.
4.The Centre Of The World
According to Hindu scriptures and some other holy texts, Kailash Parvat is the cosmic axis, the center of the earth. The Google Maps endorse the legitimacy of this reality. Devotees believe that Mount Kailash is the stairway to Heaven or an association between the Earth and Heaven, between the physical world and the spiritual world.
5.The Source Of Sacred Rivers
This parvat is the source of four sacred rivers. The Indus, Sutlej, Brahmaputra, and Karnali (the tributary of the Ganges) all flow from near the base of this parvat. These rivers and the myths concerning these rivers are very important for Hindus.
6.Unclimble And Forbidden Peak
Regular change of position is another amazing fact about Kailash Parvat. It is said that Kailash Parvat changes its position regularly. So Kailash is an unclimble and forbidden peak to the mountaneers of the world still today. There have been many legends of people dying in the attempt to climb the parvat. The Chinese authorities, knowing the religious sensitivity of the matter, have officially banned mountaineers from attempting a climb.
7.Two Mysterious Lakes
Everybody knows that Kailash is mysterious. But there is no less mystery about Mansarovar and its surroundings. The shape of two lakes in the Kailash region is mysterious. These are Mansarovar and Rakhastal. Mansarovar is a round water body and the shape of the Rakshastal is crescent shaped. They express the power of the sun and the moon. Surprisingly, no matter how strong the wind is, the water of Mansarovar is always calm but the water of Rakshasatal is always turbulent. Another interesting factor is that Mansarovar is a freshwater lake but Rakshastal is a saltwater one.
As per different Hindu Puranas, the demon king, Ravana wanted to obtain superpowers. He selected the banks of a special island in the Lake Rakshastal that he would make daily offering with one of his ten heads as a sacrifice to please the Lord Shiva. Finally, on the tenth day, Lord Shiva was moved enough by his devotion and granted Ravana his wish to obtain superpowers. Hindus believe that Lake Rakshastal was created by Ravana. So it’s water is salty though scientists believe that the lake was created naturally. Lake Rakshastal is set as a contrast to the holy god-created freshwater Lake Mansarovar. It is mentionable that the Chinese authorities have banned taking a dip in Mansarovar to prevent water pollution as well as to save environment.
8.The Play Of Light In Mansarovar
The unearthly beauty of Mansarovar always attracts the tourists. But the mystery of the play of light at dawn and night in the lake is still unknown. Many who have come here to spend the night have seen two bright lights flashing on Kailash Parvat. At first glance, one light follows the other. Then Mansarovar is manifested under the influence of this light. It becomes difficult to take eyes off that boundless beauty. The mytery of this light is still undiscovered today. Hindu devotees believe, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati come to bathe in Mansarovar. They think that the flames of the light are actually Lord Shiva and his consort, Parvati.
9.Parvati Sarovar
Parvati Sarovar or Gouri Kund should also be included in the list of mysterious elements of Kailash Parvat. According to Hindu scriptures, it is the sacred place where goddess Parvati acquired back her son, Lord Ganesha. The splashing of Gouri Kund’s water is believed to purify one’s senses and also the soul. It is also believed that Goddess Parvati showers blessings to her devotees, purify them and liberate them from all sufferings.
10.Om Parvat
Om Parvat is another mystery in Himalayan area which is very interesting. When the snow falls on the peak, it takes the pattern of sacred OM (AUM). Kailash Mansarovar Yatra remains incomplete without visiting of the Om Parvat. Devotees considers it to be God’s signature in the Himalayas. There are Parvati and Jonglingkong lakes near OM Parvat. Jonglingkong Lake is sacred to the Hindus like Mansarovar Lake.
By Krishna Das