Which mountain is traditionally regarded as the sacred abode of Shiva in Hinduism?

Mount Kailash is traditionally regarded as the sacred abode of Shiva in Hinduism.

The distinctive peak rises to approximately 6,638 metres in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, near the sources of several major Asian rivers. It is part of the Kailash Range, within the broader Transhimalaya. The mountain’s remote setting and unusual, nearly symmetrical appearance have helped make it one of Asia’s most recognizable sacred landscapes.

Kailash is revered in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Bon. Hindu tradition associates it with Shiva and Parvati, while Tibetan Buddhists connect it with the Buddha Demchok. Pilgrims traditionally undertake a circumambulation, or kora, around the mountain rather than climbing it.

Unlike many famous Himalayan peaks, Mount Kailash has no recorded successful ascent. The absence of a summit-climbing tradition reflects its religious importance, not merely its technical difficulty. Pilgrimage routes commonly include nearby Lake Manasarovar and Lake Rakshastal.