Is Kinner Kailash and Shrikhand Mahadev same
No, Kinner Kailash and Shrikhand Mahadev is not the same. They are different Mountains and Yatra but both are devoted to Lord Shiva.
Kinner Kailash well known as Kinnaur Kailash is a mountain peak at 15000 ft above sea level in the Kalpa region of Kinnaur district, in the northern state of Himachal Pradesh, India.
Shrikhand Kailash well known as Shrikhand Mahadev is a mountain peak at 17150 ft above sea level in Nirmand region, district Kullu, in the northern state of Himachal Pradesh India.
Both mountains are characterized by their striking resemblance to the iconic “SWAYAMBHU” Shiva Lingas, with towering peaks and distinct ridges creating a mesmerizing visual.
What is Kinner Kailash
Kinner Kailash or Kinnaur Kailash is a peak Situated in the upper region of the great Himalayan range in Himachal Pradesh. The mountain has a 79 ft tall Swayambhu Shiva linga at an elevation of 15000 ft. Kinner Kailash is one of the five Kailash fourth in terms of importance.
Kinner Kailash is accompanied by various natural wonders like natural glaciers, lakes, fields filled with rare flowers, and natural caves that provide shelter for pilgrims and shepherds.
Parvati Bagh is famous for the rare “Brahm Kamal” flower believed to be seeded by Goddess Parvati. The area is named after Goddess Parvati.
Kinner Kailash is believed to be the resting abode of the mighty Hindu lord Shiva and Mata Parvati. The Kinner tribe, who reside in Kinnaur were blessed by lord Shiva who made this peak his resting abode, honoured by having lord Shiva in their area the tribe became devotees of lord Shiva, and after some time the peak was named after the tribe “KINNER KAILASH”.
Kinnaur Kailash, also known as Kinner Kailash, holds immense spiritual significance for both Hindus and Buddhists.
The Kinners are also believed to have been the guardians of the sacred Kinnaur Kailash, protecting its sanctity and ensuring that only the most worthy pilgrims were granted access to the mountain. The local Kinnauri people still revere their ancestral deities and the sacred landscapes they inhabited.
Registration – The pilgrims must register themselves first to visit Kinner Kailash. The registration can be done on the official Himachal Pradesh government website.
Where is Kinner Kailash
Kinner Kailash Kailash well Known as Kinnaur Kailash is in Kalpa region of district Kinnaur in the Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh at the height of 15000 feet in the deep and upper Himalayan region near the Indo-Tibetan border.
What is Shrikhand Mahadev
Shrikhand Mahadev is believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva where he meditated for a long time after getting disturbed by Bhasmasur’s treachery on this 72 ft Shivalinga.
Shrikhand Mahadev is a mountain peak 17150 feet above sea level in Himachal Pradesh believed to be the place where lord Shiva meditated for a long time. Shrikhand Mahadev holds an immense spiritual value in Hindu Dharma.
In the Vaidik times (Satyug) there was a rakshas named “BHASMASUR” who did very hard penance and got a boon from lord Shiva that if he places his hand on anyone’s head he/she would burn immediately.
After getting the boon he went on trying it on lord Shiva to test the boon. Lord Vishnu came in the form of a “MOHINI” and hypnotised Bhasmasur with his tremendous singing and dancing that Bhasmasur started dancing with her, forgot about the boon, put his hand on his own head while dancing, and died right there.
But Lord Shiva got disturbed by the feeling of giving the boon to the wrong person and then he disappeared from there and hid in the area for a long time to meditate.
Shrikhand Mahadev or Shrikhand Kailash is the third in terms of importance in Five Kailash, the peak is near the Indo-Tibetan border area and is considered to be the hardest Kailash to reach due to the longest trek.
To reach Shrikhand Mahadev pilgrims must register on the Himachal Pradesh official website. Pilgrims should be physically fit and also need to get a medical certificate.
Demon King Ravan Story – The Shrikhand word was made out by adding two words Sir Khandan, Sir Means Head, and Khandan means rebuttal or dissection. There is a story about Ravan that once demon king Ravan did a penance here and cut off his head as an offering to please the lord Shiva and this is how he got the boon of conditional immortality.
Registration – You have to register yourself to visit Shrikhand Kailash or the officials may get you deported from any base camp. You can register for the yatra on the official Himachal Pradesh portal, the fee to register is only 250 rs per person.
Where is Shrikhand Kailash
Shrikhand Kailash well Known as Shrikhand Mahadev is in the Nirmand region of district Kullu in the Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh at the height of 17150 feet in the deep and upper Himalayan region near the Indo-Tibetan border.
Shrikhand Mahadev is accompanied by various natural wonders like natural glaciers, lakes, fields filled with rare flowers, and natural caves that provide shelter for pilgrims and shepherds.
Shrikhand Kailash Bheem Dwar red water
There is a place in the Shrikhand Kailash trek named Bheem Dwar it is believed that Bheem Killed Bakasur Rakshas here when the Pandavas were living in the “EKACHAKRA”(an old city). Hence the water still is red here because of that Rakhsas’s blood.
Why Kinner Kailash is famous
Spiritual Significance – Kinner Kailash, holds immense spiritual significance for both Hindus and Buddhists. This sacred mountain is revered as an abode of Lord Shiva, the supreme deity in Hinduism, and is believed to be a manifestation of the celestial Mount Kailash in the Tibetan Himalayas.
Pilgrims from across India and beyond flock to Kinnaur Kailash to seek the blessings of the divine couple and to participate in the various religious rituals and festivals held in their honor.
The spiritual significance of Kinnaur Kailash extends beyond Hinduism, as it is also revered by Buddhists. The mountain is believed to be the abode of Demchok, a wrathful deity associated with the Vajrayana branch of Buddhism. Buddhists from the neighboring regions of Spiti and Ladakh often embark on pilgrimages to Kinnaur Kailash, seeking spiritual enlightenment and the blessings of the divine.
One of the Kailash – The Kinner Kailash is of the Panch Kailash Parvat. In terms of importance, it is the fourth Kailash. First is Kailash Mansarovar and Adi Kailash is second, Shrikhand Mahadev is third and Mani Mahesh Kailash is fifth.
79-foot-high Shivalinga – On the top of Kinner Kailash mountain there is a 79-foot-high Shivalinga that is the main attraction and center point of this Yatra. This Shivalinga changes its colour during the day.
Why Shrikhand Mahadev is famous
There are so many reasons why the Shrikhand Mahadev is famous, I will not be able to explain them all. Some of them you may already know, but here are a few.
Spiritual significance – Shrikhand Mahadev holds immense spiritual value in the Hindu dharma as the abode of lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
One of the Panch Kailash – Shrikhand Mahadev is one of the Panch Kailash series along with Kailash Mansarovar, Adi Kailash, Kinner Kailash, and Mani Mahesh Kailash.
Toughest Kailash – Shrikhand Mahadev is the toughest trek and hardest to reach among the Panch Kailash.
72-foot-high Shivalinga – There is a 72-foot-high Shivalinga on the top of the mountain at 17150 ft above sea level.
It is believed that Lord Shiva meditated for a long time after getting disturbed by Bhasmasur’s treachery on this 72 ft Shivalinga.
One of the hardest treks – This trek also attracts so many tourists and trekkers because of the challenge it poses to the hikers and trekkers. Shrikhand Mahadev offers one of the highest altitude treks in India which is widely open for everyone.
How Kinner Kailash and Shrikhand Mahadev look like
Kinner Kailash and Shrikhand Mahadev are both different peaks but look so much alike and both have the Swayambhu “SHIVALINGA” on the top of the mountain. This is one of the many reasons why these mountains are so sacred and worshipped in Hindu dharma.
However, Kinner Kailash and Shrikhand Mahadev are two different yatras. The 75-foot-high Shivalinga on Shrikhand Mahadev Peak on the top of a 17150-foot mountain and 79 feet high Shivalinga on the Kinner Kailash Peak on the top of a 15000 feet mountain are considered Swayambhu Shivalingas. The face of Lord Shiva is depicted by this gigantic Shivaling, complete with matted hair, eyes, and nose.
How Many Kailash are there
There are five Kailash in total. It is believed that lord Shiva lived, visited, or stayed at these five peaks at one time or another which is why these five peaks have their significance in Hindu Dharma. Kinner Kailash and Shrikhand Mahadev are one of them.
Five Kailsh or Panch Kailash have their spiritual value in Hindu Dharma as the living or visiting place of lord Shiva unlike five Kedar where Lord Shiva took the form of a buffalo and is worshipped in the various forms inside the temples like well known “KEDARNATH” temple, all Kailash Parvats are mountains, not temples and hold the value as a mountain whereas Panch Kedar and Twelve Jyotirlingas are temples.
Panch Kailash name
There are five Kailash in the world. Together they are called “Panch Kailash”. Panch is a series of five sacres mountains first is Kailash Mansarovar, second is Adi Kailash, third is Shrikhand Mahadev, fourth is Kinner Kailash, and the fifth is Mani Mahesh Kailash.
- Kailash Mansarovar – Tibbet
Kailash Mansarovar China
Kailash Mansarovar also known as Mount Kailash is a Mountain peak in the upper Himalayan region of Tibet(China). Mount Kailash holds immense value in various religions as well as to scientists and adventure seekers.
Mount Kailash is in the Burang country area, at a height of 6638 meters above sea level in Tibet(China).
First in the Panch Kailash and the only one outside India, Mount Kailash is believed to be the home of the mighty Hindu lord Shiva in Hindu Dharma.
- Adi Kailash – Uttarakhand, India.
Adi Kailash Jolingkong
“ADI” is a Hindi word that means “THE FIRST” and Kailash is the abode of lord Shiva which means the First abode of lord Shiva. Adi Kailash is a mountain peak second in Panch Kailash, at an altitude of 5945 meters in the district Pithoragarh, Kumaon region of Uttarakhand India. Adi Kailash also known as Chhota Kailash holds immense spiritual value in Hindu dharma as the abode of lord Shiva.
Adi Kailash is a mountain peak shaped like Shivalinga in the upper Himalayan region. It is a replica of Mount Kailash or Kailash Mansarovar of Tibet(China). Sometimes people get confused between them, these two mountains are not the same there is a lot of difference between Adi Kailash and Kailash Mansarovar.
- Shrikhand Kailash – Himachal Pradesh, India.
Shrikhand Mahadev is a mountain peak 17150 feet above sea level in Himachal Pradesh believed to be the place where lord Shiva meditated for a long time. Shrikhand Mahadev holds an immense spiritual value in Hindu Dharma.
- Kinner Kailash – Himachal Pradesh, India.
Kinner Kailash or Kinnaur Kailash is a peak Situated in the upper region of the great Himalayan range in Himachal Pradesh. The mountain has a 79 ft tall Swayambhu Shiva linga at an elevation of 15000 ft. Kinner Kailash is one of the five Kailash fourth in terms of importance.
- Mani Mahesh Kailash – Himachal Pradesh, India.
Mani Mahesh Parvat and Lake
Mani Mahesh Kailash also known as Chamba Kailash is in the Pir Panjal range of Chamba district in Himachal Pradesh at 13390 feet above sea level. There is a lake which i
s also named after the Mani Mahesh Kailash called Mani Mahesh Lake.
Mani means “GEM” Mahesh is the name of lord Shiva. This mountain is called Mani Mahesh Kailash because of a phenomenon that occurs in the morning when the Sun rises from behind the mountain, the Sun’s rays come to the lake area through a cavity in the mountain and create the effect of a “SHINING GEM”.
Why Kailash Mansarovar is not in India
According to Hindu mythology in ancient times the whole Himalayan range was called Kailash dedicated to Lord Shiva and it was part of Bharat(India), Mount Kailash Mansarovar is believed to be the home of Lord Shiva. The mountain is now in the Tibbet after several partitions of the Sub-Indian continent.
When and how Kailash Mansarovar became part of China
As per recent history, Mount Kailash was never part of India although the presence of Mount Kailash in the old Hindu scriptures such as Skand Puran and Shiva Puran has been found many times.
There are two stories about Mount Kailash going into Chinese control.
- The area of Mount Kailash was ruled by the Nepali King which he gave to the Tibetan King as the dowry for his daughter’s marriage and in 1950 when China invaded Tibet Mount Kailash went into China.
- Mount Kailash was in the Nepali kingdom and Nepal lost it to China during the Sino-Nepal War, also known as the Sino-Gorkha War in 1972.
Is Kailash Mansarovar visible from India
Yes, Mount Kailash is visible from India, visitors can see the mountain area from the old Lipu Lekh Pass in Uttarakhand. 30°14’11.0″N 81°01’35.4″E
- Story
Recently some local people of Vyas Valley along with some trekkers and tourists in Uttarakhand claimed to see Mount Kailash or Bada Kailash from “LIPU LEKH” a mountain pass in Uttarakhand’s Vyas Valley near Nabhi Dhang After their claim went viral in the area and on social media it was later confirmed affirmatively by the Indian army and other officials.
- Accessibility
To see Mount Kailash pilgrims reach Nabhi Dhang first and trek for 1 km. To get to Lipu Lekh pass at an altitude of nearly 18000 feet, then this spot provides the breathtaking majestic view of Mount Kailash.
Does time move faster on Mount Kailash
Although there is no machine or way to measure that if time is moving slower or faster but almost all people like pilgrims, tourists, climbers, mountaineers, and even some scientists also who visited Mount Kailash have reported that their hair and nails have grown faster than normal almost the equivalent of one month in five to seven days.
Conclusion
This article is supposed to clear the confusion and questions what is the difference between Kinner Kailash and Shrikhand Mahadev and to provide you with some known and unknown facts about the two mountains.
I hope I have answered all your questions regarding to the confusion about the Kinner Kailash and Shrikhand Mahadev that often confuses people, I would love to have you on board and gladly consider any suggestion or correction in the comments.
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