Is ManiMahesh Kailash and Kailash Mansarovar same
No, Manimahesh Kailash and Kailash Mansarovar are not the same, but both mountains are devoted to Lord Shiva.
Manimahesh Kailash, also known as Chamba Kailash, is a Kailash like Kailash Mansarovar or Mount Kailash in Tibet(China), but they are not the same they are different in terms of location, belief, stories, history, and every other possible way.
Kailash Mansarovar or Mount Kailash is a Mountain peak in the upper Himalayan region in Tibet(China). Mount Kailash is believed to be the home of the mighty Hindu lord Shiva and it is believed that lord Shiva lives here with his wife Goddess Parvati Devi, his sons lord Ganesha, lord Kartikeya, his beloved Nandi, and all the Ganas( mystical beings who are devotees of lord Shiva).
Mount Kailash
Mount Kailash does not only hold spiritual significance in Hindu Dharma but in other religions also like Jainism, Buddhism, and Bonism which I will explain briefly in the article.
“Mani” Means Jewel “Mahesh” is one of the names of lord Shiva and Kailash is referred to as lord Shiva’s abode. Manimahesh Kailash is a mountain peak located in Budhil Valley at the altitude of 18550 ft above sea level in the northern state of Himachal Pradesh India.
Both peaks are in the Himalayan region and difficult to reach but they also hold immense significance in Hindu Dharma.
Difference between Manimahesh Kailash and Kailash Mansarovar
There are so many difference between Manimahesh Kailash and Kailash Mansarovar, Although they might look and sound similar or sometimes even identical, but they are not the same.
Kailash Mansarovar is in Tibet(China) and has two lakes one is called Mansarovar Taal and the second one is called Rakshas Taal.
Mani Mahesh Kailash is in the Bushil valley of district Chamba State Himachal Pradesh, there are also two lakes in Mani Mahesh Kailash one is Manimahesh Lake and the second is Gauri Kund.
What is Mount Kailash
Kailash Mansarovar or Mount Kailash is a peak Situated in the upper region of the great Himalayan range in Tibet. The mountain has the shape of a Shiva linga at an elevation of 6638 meters. Kailash Mansarovar is one of the five Kailash and the only one outside of India.
Where is Mount Kailash
As I have mentioned earlier Mount Kailash or Kailash Mansarovar is in Tibet(China).
Is Mount Kailash visible from India
Yes, recently some local people of Vyas Valley in Uttarakhand claimed to see Mount Kailash, or sometimes locals refer to Mount Kailash as bada Kailash and Mani Mahesh Kailash as Chhota Kailash from “LIPU LEKH” a mountain pass in Uttarakhand’s Vyas Valley near Nabhi Dhang (Nabhi Dhang is a small town which provides the viewpoint of OM PARVAT in Adi Kailash and OM Parvat yatra).
After their claim went viral in the area and on social media it was later confirmed affirmatively by the Indian army and other officials.
Is Mount Kailash occupied by China
Yes…. Mount Kailash is occupied by China but not from India but Tibet, I’ll explain this.
In ancient times the whole Himalayan region was called Kailash which was dedicated to lord Shiva but with time and so many partitions the mountain is now in Tibet.
And
According to the current world territorial world map, Mount Kailash is in Tibet which controversially or maybe officially (I don’t know much about this) is occupied by China. So that means Occupied or not (it is not up to us to decide or declare) but Mount Kailash is in China.
Has anyone climbed Mount Kailash
No…. at least not according to the official record. No event can account for any climbing history on Mount Kailash. Though many have tried and many have failed in their attempt to climb Mount Kailash, some climbers who failed against Mount Kailash have climbed Mount Everest which is the tallest mountain in the world.
There are so many complaints reported by climbers and mountaineers of mishaps like accidents on the slope, technical failures, sudden health issues, mental breakdowns, and many more. These complaints are the main reasons for prohibiting the climbing on Mount Kailash by the Chinese Government
Who is the only monk to climb Mount Kailash
There is a local story or a legend of a Buddhist monk named “JETSUN MILAREPA” who was a Buddhist disciple, who once climbed Mount Kailash successfully in 11th century.
Milarepa was believed to be a singer, a poet, a teacher, and a Monk in the Buddhist community and he was a great devotee and spiritual person. After climbing the Mount Kailash JETSUN MILAREPA believed in finding the secrets that the world should not know, he said we must not disturb the one who is resting here and asked everyone not to climb the mountain ever. From that day forth climbing Mount Kailash in Buddhist Community is prohibited.
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.
Mount Kailash is sacred to four religions as
- Hindu – Hindus worship this mountain as the home of Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati.
- Jainism – Jain believes that the first Tirthankar, Rishbhdeva attained moksha here.
- Buddhist- Mount Kailash known as Mount Meru in Buddhism is the center of Cosmology.
- Bon – It is believed that Bonism originated from the kingdom around Mount Kailash.
Due to its unique Geographical conditions and significance, it is believed to be the center of the earth.
Undefeated Mount Kailash – Mount Kailash is among the very few peaks in the world which are tried and failed by so many climbers around the whole world many of them have even climbed Mount Everest(Tallest mountain).
Mount Kailash or Kailash Manasarovar
What is Mani Mahesh Kailash
Mani means “JEWEL.” Mani Mahesh Kailash is a peak in the Himalayas, shaped like a Shiva linga, and at an elevation of 5653 meters. It is one of the Panch Kailash and the third one in Himachal Pradesh.
Mani Mahesh Kailash also known as Chamba Kailash is fifth in terms of importance in a series of mountain peaks collectively known as Panch Kailash in the Himalayas.
There is a lake at the foot of Manimahesh Kailash Parvat called “Manimahesh Lake”, it is believed that lord Shiva created this lake himself after his marriage to Goddess Parvati who is called “GIRIJA” around this area.
Mani Mahesh Kailash or as the locals call it Chamba Kailash is in the Pir Panjal range of the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh. The trek starts from a small town named Hadsar near the sub-division Bharmour. There are two treks that start from Hadsar one is Manimahesh Kailash and the second is Kugti Pass.
Where is Mani Mahesh Kailash
Mani Mahesh Kailash also known as Chamba Kailash is in Budhil Valley of Pir Panjal range district Chamba in the Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh at the height of 18550 feet in the deep and upper Himalayan region near the Indo-Tibetan border.
ManiMahesh Lake
ManiMahesh Lake is a high altitude natural lake in the foot area of Mani Mahesh Kailash Peak. Mani Mahesh Lake holds highly spiritual value in Hindu Dharma as Lake Mansarovar of Kailash Mansarovar.
Every year on “ASHTAMI” of “SHUKLA PAKSHA” (The eighth day of the new moon) in the month of Bhadon (August and September) this lake area hosts a fair dedicated to Lord Shiva and Mata Girija (Mata Parvati) which attracts hundreds of tourists and pilgrims.
Mani Mahesh Kailash is accompanied by two natural glacial lakes one is named after the mountain Manimahesh Kailash and the second is named after Goddess Parvati. The first one is Manimahesh Lake, the second is Gauri Kund.
What is the story of Manimahesh Kailash
Manimahesh Kailash is in the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh where nomadic Gaddi(shepherd) people live, Gaddi believes that lord Shiva Made the Manimahesh lake himself and made Gaddi people his devotee.
Gaddi believed that lord Shiva himself gave them their traditional Chuhali (pointy cap), Chola (coat), and Dora (a long black 10-15 meter cord).
ManiMahesh Kailash elevation
ManiMahesh Kailash elevation is 18550 feet and Mani Mahesh Lake elevation is 13000 feet.
ManiMahesh Kailash Yatra’s elevation is quite high so this yatra happens for a very short time due to its high elevation and difficult terrain. The mountain and the valley where the Lake is situated is a highly sensitive area.
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.
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 and location
Here are the name and location of Panch Kailash.
- Kailash Mansarovar – Kailash Mansarovar or Mount Kailash is a Mountain peak in the upper Himalayan region in Tibet(China) most important in Panch Kailash.
Mount Kailash is believed to be the home of the mighty Hindu lord Shiva and it is believed that lord Shiva lives here with his wife Goddess Parvati Devi, his sons lord Ganesha, lord Kartikeya, his beloved Nandi, and all the Ganas( mystical beings who are devotees of lord Shiva).
The mountain is shaped like a Shiva linga at an elevation of 6638 meters. Kailash Mansarovar is the only Kailash outside of India.
2. Adi Kailash – Adi means “First” Adi Kailash is a mountain peak located in Vyas Valley in the northern state of Uttarakhand India.
Adi Kailash and Kailash Mansarovar are diffent, people often get confused between them read our article differnce between Adi Kailash and Kailash Mansarovar.
In Hindu Dharma, it is believed that Goddess Parvati who is called “NANDA” in Uttarakhand, was born in a mountain village of Uttarakhand named “Kurur”.
The Goddess was married to lord Shiva then all her family members and villagers went with them on their way to Mount Kailash or Kailash Mansarovar until they reached Homkund the foothills of the Kailash range.
From Homkund lord Shiva and Mata Parvati continued their journey alone. After Homkund Adi Kailash was their first stop on the way to Mount Kailash, and this is the reason why this peak is called Adi Kailash.
Adi Kailash Jolingkong
3. Shrikhand Kailash – Shrikhand Kailash is also the hardest trek among the Panch Kailash. 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 hypnotized 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.
- Kinner Kailash – There are many legends and stories about the Kinner Kailash also known as Kinnaur Kailash going from generation, and some have their presence in old scripture and literature.
The Kinner Kailash peak or area is believed to be the resting abode of Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati. The Kinner tribe, who reside in Kinnaur, were honoured by having the mountain named after them “Kinner Kailash”.
The term “Kinner” has various mythical meanings associated with it and has been mentioned in various pieces of literature, including the Shiv Purana, Vishnu Purana, Matsya Purana, Ramayan, and Rajtaringini. This collection of epics honours the Kinners as a distinctive clan of demi-gods who stand halfway between mortals and gods.
Mani Mahesh Kailash – There are many legends and beliefs behind the Manimahesh Kailash and Manimahesh Lake. Mani Mahesh Kailash is the Fifth and last in Panch Kailash the Chamba District of Himachal Pradesh India.
Local gaddi people(nomadic tribal people) of Chamba district believe that lord Shiva himself created this lake after lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati got married. Some people say that Lord Shiva did penance here and then made Gaddi tribe his devotee.
Some people say that one day lord Shiva went out and got late coming back so Mata Parvati got angry and hid in a cave behind the Dhanchoo waterfall, so lord Shiva decided to stay at Manimahesh Lake for penance that’s why this place is so sacred for pilgrims to attain moksha.
Mani is a Hindi word that means jewel, in the morning time when the sun rises behind the Manimahesh Kailash peak the reflection in the Lake seems like the jewel on Shivalinga’s head this phenomenon attracts so many pilgrims, devotees, tourists, and adventure seekers as well. Mani Mahesh Kailash is also the easiest to reach among the Panch Kailash.
| S.N. | Name | Local Area | Country | Location |
| 1 | Mount Kailash or Kailash Mansarovar | Burang Country | Tibet(China) | 31°04’28.7″N 81°18’44.6″E |
| 2 | Adi Kailash or Chhota Kailash | Uttarakhand | India | 30°19’39.2″N 80°37’52.3″E |
| 3 | Shrikhand Kailash or Shrikhand Mahadev | Himachal Pradesh | India | 31°39’33.6″N 77°38’44.6″E |
| 4 | Kinner Kailash or Kinnaur Kailash | Himachal Pradesh | India | 31°27’20.3″N 78°24’06.7″E |
| 5 | Mani Mahesh Kailash | Himachal Pradesh | India | 32°23’54.0″N 76°40’05.2″E |
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.
How Mani Mahesh Kailash and Kailash Mansarovar look like
Mani Mahesh Kailash and Kailadh Mansarovar are both different peaks but look so much alike and both have the shape of a “SHIVALINGA” This is one of the many reasons why these mountains are so sacred and worshipped in Hindu dharma.
Conclusion
This article is supposed to clear the confusion and questions what is the difference between Mani Mahesh Kailash and Kailash Mansarovar and to provide you with some known and unknown facts about the two mountains.
I hope I have answered all your questions regarding the confusion about the Kailash 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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