Why Mount Kailash Is the Most Sacred Mountain in the World | 9 Surprising Reasons

It’s hard to imagine a place so vast and empty that there’s not even half a person per square kilometer—an almost overwhelming sense of solitude. Yet every year, tens of thousands of people travel across mountains and borders just to reach this remote region. Why? Because it is home to one of the world’s most mysterious and sacred peaks: Mount Kailash.

There may be mountains more mysterious than Mount Kailash, but none are more sacred. So what exactly is Mount Kailash? Why is it regarded as the most important sacred mountain in the world? What ties does it have to ancient Asian civilizations? And did legendary figures like Shiva, the Bon master Tönpa Shenrab, or the Tibetan yogi Milarepa truly have stories linked to this mountain?

The Birth of a Sacred Mountain

After hundreds of millions of years of tectonic shifts, the region of Ngari in northern Himalayas rose dramatically from the ocean floor to become the “Roof of the Roof of the World.” Surrounded by the Kunlun Mountains to the north, the Karakoram to the west, and the Himalayas to the south, the Ngari Plateau forms a natural basin at over 4,500 meters above sea level. This harsh yet unique environment gave rise to the earliest known Tibetan civilization.

Compared to its surrounding ranges, the Gangdise range—where Mount Kailash is located in south-central Ngari—is particularly significant. Together with the Nyenchen Tanglha range, it forms a natural boundary dividing Tibet into north and south. This line also separates forests from grasslands, internal from external river systems, and even cultural zones from pastoral lands.

In traditional Tibetan thought, mountains were not merely geological features—they were spiritual and cultural landmarks. A mountain had to meet four key criteria to be deemed a “main peak”: height, geographic centrality, visual prominence, cultural meaning, and accessibility. Mount Kailash excels in all four. Its silhouette rises above all surrounding peaks, creating a powerful visual landmark. It lies at the crossroads of Tibet, Xinjiang, Nepal, India, and Pakistan—once a cultural and trade hub of the Eurasian continent.

Why Is Mount Kailash the "King of Sacred Mountains"?

Despite its religious significance, Mount Kailash is geographically remote and not among the tallest peaks in the Himalayas. So how did it become recognized by multiple major religions as the center of the world? After extensive research, I’ve identified nine compelling reasons:

1. Awe-Inspiring Appearance
   From the air, Mount Kailash’s southern face is smooth and rounded, like a precious jewel radiating compassion and serenity—akin to a Bodhisattva. In contrast, its northern face is steep and imposing, resembling a wrathful guardian deity in full armor.

2. Cradle of Rivers and Civilizations
   Like all great civilizations, Tibetan culture developed near rivers. Four major rivers—the Indus, Sutlej, Brahmaputra, and Karnali—originate near Mount Kailash, making it the literal and symbolic source of life.

3. Center of Spiritual Belief
   Mount Kailash is considered the cosmic center in Bon, Tibetan Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism. No other mountain on Earth is revered by so many major religions, influencing billions of followers.

4. Heart of the Bon Religion
   The ancient Zhang Zhung civilization, considered the cradle of Bon, emerged around Mount Kailash over 5,000 years ago. It is regarded as the most sacred mountain in Bon—without exception.

5. Pillar of Tibetan Buddhism
   When Buddhism faced its darkest era in Tibet, it found sanctuary near Mount Kailash under the protection of the Guge Kingdom. This marked the beginning of the "later spread" (Chidar) of Buddhism in Tibet.

6. Symbol of Mount Meru
   In Tibetan Buddhism, Mount Kailash is believed to be Mount Meru, the mythical center of the universe. Among Tibet’s Four Sacred Mountains, Kailash stands at the top. Legend tells of Milarepa defeating the Bon master Naro Bonchung here in a spiritual contest, thereby claiming the mountain for Buddhism.

7. Abode of Shiva
   In Hindu tradition, Mount Kailash is believed to be the home of Lord Shiva and the origin of the sacred Ganges River.

8. Jainist Revelation
   For followers of Jainism, Mount Kailash (known as Ashtapada) is where the 24th and last Tirthankara, Rishabhanatha (Adinath), attained liberation.

9. Sacred Lake Companion
   Nearby Lake Manasarovar is one of the world’s highest freshwater lakes and is believed to be a divine counterpart to the mountain. Together, the sacred mountain and lake form an unparalleled spiritual duo.

With such deep geographical, spiritual, and cultural significance, Mount Kailash is more than a mountain—it is a spiritual axis, a timeless legend, and the undisputed king of sacred peaks.