Kailash – holy mountain, center of the universe, snow jewel, and the ultimate challenge for any pilgrim. There are as many names for Mount Kailash as there are people who have or who have intended to visit it. Pilgrimage paths for four religions end here. Since time immemorial Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and members of the Bon religion have prayed to receive Mount Kailash’s sacred darshan. Those who have survived the challenges pilgrimage to Mount Kailash entail have come back changed, the image of the sacred mountain emblazoned on their hearts.

Text by Sacinandana Swami, spoken by Atula Krsna