Kailash, located in Ngari District in Western Tibet, is the holiest site for at least four religions, including Tibetan Buddhism and Hinduism. The Tibetans believe that it is the site of Guru Rinpoche, and the mountain is known as Kang Rinpoche in Tibet language. The Hindus believe that Kailash is the manifestation of the mystical Meru, the abode of Lord Shiva and his wife Parvati. Kailash is venerable for the Jain, as it is the symbol of Nirvana. While for the local Bon religion, Kailash is the nine-level Swastika mountain. Today Kailash is an important spiritual pilgrimage site, where the pilgrims follow a difficult 54-kilometer trek circumambulating the Mountain at around 5,000 meter elevation.
Kailash, Tibet, 2005