There are some things that cannot be explained, or perhaps, we human beings don’t have the vocabulary to explain them. One such intriguing thing is the phenomenon that is Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar. There are so many stories and mythological tales about them that defy scientific explanation but that in no way indicates that it is all imaginary. The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is considered as one of the most sacred pilgrimages for Hindus the world over. Every year, the Kailash Yatra is attended by thousands of pilgrims who come to seek Lord Shiva’s blessings and get absolution for their sins. Read on to get a scientific light on this most fascinating of geographical structures.

1. Lake Mansarovar and Lake Rakshas Tal

Both these lakes are situated at the feet of Mount Kailash. While the first one is considered to be the lake where Lord Shiva and Lord Indra swam as swans and is thus highly sacred, the second one is considered its antithesis. What is fascinating about these two lakes is that while the Lake Manasarovar is a freshwater lake, the Rakshas Tal contains salty water and is deprived of all living beings. The Rakshas Tal is also the highest saltwater lake in the world. Another point that is considered mysterious is that Lake Mansarovar is placid even when the weather turns windy while the Rakshas Tal stays turbulent no matter what the weather is like!

2.  Time travels faster

No one knows why people who go on the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra experience a faster rate of growth for hair and nails during the expedition!  But it has happened to many people. It may have something to do with the air in the region which makes time go faster. In fact, a few years ago, a group of Siberian mountaineers who went beyond a certain point in their effort to climb the Mount Kailash experienced very fast aging. They not only aged a few decades in a matter of days but they all died within a year of the expedition! Why? Well, this is something science cannot explain.

3. The Axis Mundi

The Mount Kailash is considered to be the Axis Mundi by Hindu and many non-Hindu people. This means that it is the world axis, the world’s pillar, the world tree or the center of the world. Believers think that it is the point where the earth meets heaven. Even Google Maps vouch for the considerable axis-like features of Mount Kailash.

4. It is forbidden area

Something that science cannot explain about Mount Kailash is why it is such a forbidden area for Hindus or why people who try to climb it have been failing for centuries. Mount Kailash is a mountain that is yet to be climbed and there is no record in recent history that it has been climbed by man. Hindu believers consider it to be a place of great reverence and hence think that climbing it would be trespassing on heaven where men don’t belong. Hindus don’t want to hurt the sanctity of this divine area because doing so would be disturbing the transcendent energies there. Folklore has it that many centuries ago a Tibetan monk named Milarepa reached the top of Mount Kailash but when he returned, he warned everyone never to venture there again considering the sanctity of the place. In recent years, many expert mountaineers have tried to climb the Mount Kailash but not only have they been unable to do it, but they have also faced many obstacles on the way. What is intriguing is that Mount Everest, which stands a lot taller than Mount Kailash, is a peak that has been climbed many times!

5. Is it a pyramid?

Lots of scientific studies have been conducted on Mount Kailash to try to make some sense of the bewildering array of attributes it possesses but to no avail. Russian scientists once made the claim that Mount Kailash is actually a man-made pyramid and it is the center of the universe! Are some superhuman beings responsible for building it? We don’t really know! All mountains near Kailash have pointed peaks but Kailash is curved from top & in Shivalinga shape. Even when there is no snow on other mountains, you will find it at Kailash like nature is doing Jalabhishekam of Lord Shiva.

6. Mount Kailash is known to change positions

Another mysterious attribute of this mountain is that it is known to change positions! Bewildered mountaineers who have tried to reach its peak have lost track of time and place during their expedition, and have thereby returned! The Mountaineers reported that whenever they were about to reach the peak, the peak changed its position.

7. The chanting of Om

Pilgrims have often experienced the vibration and sound of Om when they are in this region. There is no scientific explanation for this though believers think that it is Lord Shiva, the eternal Yogi, chanting ‘Om’.

The Kailash Yatra is truly a journey every Hindu should go on at least once. The mystic, peace, tranquility and beauty of the region know no bounds.