1. Physical characteristics and Geologic origin:
Mount Kailash belongs to Trans-Himalayan or Gangdise Range but not in main Himalayan range. Mount Kailash is constituted of metamorphic sheets and granites which were initially soft muds at the bottom of the ocean. Millions of years ago due to the collision of tectonic plates, the Indian and Eurasian plate interests forced the land towards the earth, creating the formation of the Himalayas, the plateau of Tibet and the Kailash mountain. Kailash is believed to be younger than the greater Himalayan range even though it is approximately 30 million years old. Kailash is not a volcanic mountain as most other mountains.
2. Climbing Efforts to Mount Kailash:
In 2007, a Russian mountaineer and his team tried to climb Mount Kailash but at a particular altitude, they experienced severe headache, cramping of the muscles and difficulties in breathing. Strange physical effects like quick growth of hair and nails that usually requires a long period of time would occur within a few hours and this has also been experienced by many people who have attempted climbing or been at some distance of the mountain. A Serbian climber said that once he attained a particular height, he was aged decades and within the year, he died. These weird feelings contribute to the mystery of the mountain.
3. Religious meaning of Mount Kailash:
Mount Kailash plays a very critical role in four religions namely, Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Bon (religion of Tibetans). It is the home of Lord Shiva and Parvati and is credited to be the axis mundi or the cosmic center in Hinduism. Mount Kailash is also found to be the source of four major rivers namely, the Sutlej, the Brahmaputra, the Karnali and the Indus that have divided the world into four. Bon religion considers Kailash as a home of the god of Zhang Zhung Meri. Historically, the area was a territory of several kingdoms in Tibet until it was united into the Yarlung Dynasty that popularized Buddhism.
4. Scientific and Un Proven Observations:
A research that was carried by a scientific team comprising of a group of Russian scientists headed by an ophthalmologist, Dr. Arsh Mudashav, found out that the mountain of Kailash was not a natural formation but rather a creation of man, consisting of a pyramid with smaller pyramids surrounding the main body. They heard that there were weird noises inside the mountain which may indicate that there is someone in captivity there. The Chinese government however did not believe these claims. Unconfirmed reports also speak of Chinese Air Force helicopters being in instrument failure and extreme turbulence somewhere close to Kailash caused by freak electromagnetic anomalies and air currents. This has led to limitation of the flights within the region.
5. The Mount Kailash Climbing and Related Secrets:
Religion does not allow climbers to ascend Mount Kailash since it forms the Holy Mountain in four religions. Nevertheless, a number of tries have occurred. The same happened in 1936, when the Austrian climber Herbert Tichy received a warning before a planned climb, that only an untainted person could go up, one who does not need to climb physical. The climbing offer made by China in 2001, whereby, it was offering to take a Spanish team to ascend, created unrest and was later declared off. The Russian attempt of 2007 stopped because of the acute bodily symptoms. Other climbers have survived to report that climbing aging and death comes soon after trying the climb. Researchers indicate that this could be caused by deficiency of oxygen at high altitude (hypoxia), which can distort consciousness and physiological functioning.
6. Scientific Explanations and Theories:
Explanations given by experts to various observed phenomena around Kailash are either due to natural phenomenon like hypoxia, which leads to altered state of consciousness, or the fast blood flow which results in the feeling of hair and nails growing very fast. The good radioactive and magnetic materials that surround the mountain form a strong magnetic field which may result in fault of the navigation instruments such as the compasses and GPS devices. This makes aerial navigation to be challenging due to electromagnetic interference and anomalous atmospheric currents which have caused flight restriction.
7. Politics and Control In History:
Initially Kailash and Mansarovar Lake areas were independent kingdoms of Tibetans. In 1950, Zedong Mao led China to invade Tibet and signed a 17-point agreement that gave control to the area to China. The Chinese government since then has ensured strict control over access to Mount Kailash citing religious as well as strategic motives. The region is still a non-fly zone because of the electromagnetic interferences and tough weather conditions.
8. Access Regulation and Pilgrimage Regulation:
Controlled pilgrimages of Mount Kailash, which are condoned by the Chinese government, have been permitted since 1954 when Sino-Tibetan agreement was made. The pilgrimages are held every year in June to September with two routes Lipulekh pass in Uttarakhand and Nathu La pass in Sikkim. Pilgrims who are online apply through computer and a computerized lottery picks the participants depending on age and health. Pilgrimage is also subsidised by the governments of some of the Indian states. Private tours can also be availed that are either by land or flights and safety and a smooth conduct is guaranteed by the government and paramilitary agencies.
9. Conclusion and Cultural Impact:
Mount Kailash is still a place of refuge to spirituality and mysticism with religious devotions and scientific investigations shrouding it. It is very remote and harsh, which hinders exploration with many myths and rumors being made. The literature strikes a balance between the religious views and scientific investigations warning against the information mishandling and religious manipulation. After all, the mountain Mount Kailash is a truly unusual combination of faith, nature, and mystery that should be treated with perceptive consideration by religious and scientific minds as well.
