Kinnaur Kailash
| Kinnaur Kailash | |
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Mount Kinner Kailash (6050 m) with a huge Monolithic pillar,which has religious significance.
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 6,050 m (19,850 ft) |
| Coordinates | 31°31′14″N 78°21′49″E / 31.52056°N 78.36361°ECoordinates: 31°31′14″N 78°21′49″E / 31.52056°N 78.36361°E |
| Geography | |
| Parent range | Himalayas |
The Kinnaur Kailash (locally known as Kinner Kailash) is a mountain in the Kinnaur district of the Indian state Himachal Pradesh. The Kinnaur Kailash has a height of 6050 meters and is considered as sacred by both Hindu and Buddhist Kinnauris. This mountain is sometimes confused with the Mount Kailash in Tibet. The Kinnaur Kailash Range borders the district of Kinnaur in the south and is dominated by the Kinnaur Kailash (elevation- 6050m) and Jorkanden (elevation- 6473m) peaks. Jorkanden is the highest peak in the Kinner-Kailash range; one can admire it comfortably from a bungalow at Kalpa. Often mistaken with Kinner Kailash (which is a smaller holy pillar to north of it). Jorkanden has been climbed by the I.T.B.P IN 1974 and by the IndianPara Regiment in 1978. The pass accessible on the trek is the Charang La at an altitude of 5300m. It is one of the toughest treks in Himachal Pradesh.
The Kinnaur Kailash trek as done is upto the Shiv Lingam and is considered as a difficult one among the other pilgrim treks. The original trek is also known as "Kinnaur Kailash Parikrama". The parikrama starts from Tang Ling village and finally culminates in Sangla on the other side of mountain. But one other trek which is relatively small and easy also takes place from the Tang Ling village and back and reaches to the top of Shiv Lingam. The easier of the treks is around 8 to 10 kilometers one way with one night to be spent in the caves before starting the final climb to the Shiv Lingam. While the other trek is 32 kilometers long and takes a minimum of two days complete.
As per legend, this shrine existed since the time of Bhasmasur, the deadly Asur (demon) who received a boon from the deity Lord Shiva after great penance, which entailed that any person's head touched by him will be turned into ashes (bhasma). Upon receiving this gift, he tried to turn Lord Shiva into ashes as he wished to possess Parvati, which would only be possible upon his death. Lord Shiva stayed in hiding, changing locations often, and then finally came to Kinnaur Kailash. He resided here for some time meditating. Lord Vishnu eventually helped him to slay the Asur, appearing to him as a woman and getting him to place his hand upon his own head, thereby killing Bhasmasur.
Kinner Kailash in 1980.
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Wikipedia