Mount Kailash [Sanskrit: कैलाश पर्वत] holds significant relevance to four religions: Bön, Buddhism, Hinduism & Jainism. It is considered by both Hindus and Buddhists to be the center of the universe, more specifically, as the seat of Lord Shiva by the Hindus and as Gangs Rin-po-che (Precious Jewel of Snow) by the Buddhists, the mandala of Dhyani-Buddha and Bodhisattvas. Interestingly some of the major Asian rivers that most of these ancient civilizations thrived upon originate in the glaciers on Mount Kailash, including the Brahmaputra (Yarlung Tsangpo), the Indus, the Sutlej, and the Karnali that converts into the Ganges in the Indian sub-continent.

While the peak itself is off limits to climbers in deference to Buddhist and Hindu beliefs, pilgrims undertake a 52 Km (32 miles) kora (circuit or loop) around the mountain traversing mountain passes as high as 6,035 m (19,800 ft) in the belief that it would erase the sins of a lifetime.