Mount Kailas (6714m), which is considered to be the sacred dwelling of the gods and goddesses and the precise centre of the entire universe, is the holiest mountain of all. The mountain is also famous for its unique four-faced shape like that of a handle of a millstone. The cleft on its southern side intersected by a series of rocks forms a sacred Buddhist symbol 'Swastika'.

Mount Kailash is referred to as Kang Rinpoche (literally meaning 'a sparkling mass of snow') by the Tibetan locals. Believers relate this mountain to Mt. Meru of Hindu mythology. In ancient Hindu scriptures, Mt. Meru has been described as a mountain, lying in the Himalayan range, with its four faces made of four different jewels (gold, crystal, ruby and lapis lazuli), where gods resided and from where four great rivers originated. Confirming its relation to Mt. Meru, Kailash is a mother to four great holy rivers, namely Karnali, Indus, Sutlej and Brahmaputra.

Kailash Parbat is considered divine by the devotees of four different religions-Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Bonpo, with a belief that the gods or founders of these religions had once meditated or resided in the holy mountain. Thus the devout followers of all these religions flock to the mountain to pay homage to the gods residing on its top.

Mansarovar Manas

15 miles below the sacred Kailash Parbat situated the most sacred lake of Hindus-Mansarovar. Mansarovar, factually meaning 'the consciousness of mind', is situated at an elevation of 4580 m. Mansarovar Lake is so big that it takes at least three days to just go round its peripheries.

Mansarovar also holds a significant religious space among the followers of Buddhism other than the Hindus. One dip into the cold water of this holy lake is believed, by Hindus, to give up the soul of all its sins thus carving a straight path to heaven after death. Ancient Hindu scriptures indicate this lake as a must-visit place for those who want to attain salvation – the highest level of spiritual achievement in Hinduism. Many others also come to take a bath in the lake with a belief that it will keep them youthful and strong forever.