Mount Kailash

Towering imposingly and majestically in the sky, mountains are believed to possess supernatural properties because they are closer to heaven than any other earthly feature. Interestingly, many mountains are linked to spirituality and enlightened beings, such as the Buddha and Jesus.

From the earliest times, many peoples from the Greeks and Native Americans to the Indians and Polynesians have placed mountains central to their beliefs. The power of such sacred places is believed to enhance the mortal experience and sometimes, it is even forbidden to climb them out of respect.

The mountain calls to us with its calm and serene environment and is often chosen as the site for religious retreats. Pilgrimages to holy mountains are also a way to connect to the sacred and they allow us to purify our sins through the rigour of an arduous climb. In some religions, adherents are urged to make such a pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime.

Here is a selection of sacred mountains scattered across the globe. They are revered by people separated by vast spaces but united in their awe and regard for these magnificent giants of nature.

1. Mount Fuji, Japan

Mount Fuji or Fujisan is the tallest peak in Japan at 3,776 metres. It is located on Honshu Island, about 100 kilometres southwest of Tokyo within the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, the most visited National Park in the country.

It is an active volcano which last erupted on December 16, 1707. Few people know that Mount Fuji actually has two active volcanoes within it, Komitake and Kofuji. Its surface is 182 miles wider than the city of Tokyo.

There are five lakes located at Mount Fuji: Kawaguchiko, Yamanakako, Saiko, Motosuko and Shojiko. Out of the five lakes, Kawaguchiko is the most developed and also the most accessible.

Mount Fuji is an important and well-known symbol of Japan, frequently represented in the country’s art for centuries. It is the inspiration behind the brand Fujifilm, while the Fuji apple, a river, a city, a Japanese warship and an asteroid discovered in 1927 by the Japanese astronomer, Oikawa, also share the same name. There is even a Fuji Rock Festival, Fuji Speedway and Fuji Television.

A magnificent view of Mount Fuji

The name Mount Fuji is thought to have come from the Ainu people, the original inhabitants of Honshu. Their god of fire and the hearth is called ‘Fuchi’ and this is believed to be the root of the name ‘Fuji’.

Mount Fuji is important to the Shinto religion, which is the main faith in Japan. An unknown Shinto monk is believed to have been the first person to ascend Mount Fuji, completing the trek in the 7^th century. Princess Konohanasakuya, the mythical princess of the blossom has since the 15^th century CE been the main deity associated with Mount Fuji.

Map indicating the location of Mount Fuji. Click on image to enlarge.

The volcano is seen as a sacred kami or spirit and climbing Mount Fuji is considered a Shinto pilgrimage. There are important shrines, caves, springs and even a waterfall located on the mountain. The most important Shinto shrine is the Fujisan Jongu Sengen Taisha. This area is also famous for the approximately 500 cherry trees which blossom in April.

Many writers and artists have been inspired by Mount Fuji. The 8^th century poetry anthology, Manyoshu, contains many lines dedicated to the mountain. It also appears in haiku poems by Matsuo Basho (1644-1694 CE), including this one:

In the land of Yamato,

It is our treasure, our tutelary god.

It never tires our eyes to look up

To the lofty peak of Mount Fuji
~ Manyoshu (Dougill, 17)

The climate/ecosystem is tundra which means that the temperature is consistently below freezing. As a result, many plants cannot grow there and only various mosses, herbs and small shrubs cover the rocks and the ground.

A simple checklist while visiting Mount Fuji. Click on image to enlarge.

The best time to visit Mount Fuji is between October and February as the visibility is generally best during these months. In winter, there is also a lot of snow on the peak. Climbers who want to ascend Mount Fuji have a window of just two months – from the beginning of July to the end of August. Every year, about 300,000 people make the ascent and of these, 70% are Japanese while 30% are foreigners.

The main attractions in the area are:

• Kubota Museum dedicated to the kimono artist
• An amusement park with roller coasters
• The Sengen Shrine
• The Chureito Pagoda, with Mount Fuji in the background
• Iyashi no Sato, a small open-air museum that focuses on village craft
• Hot springs (onsen), some of which have a view of Mount Fuji
• The Mount Tenjo Ropeway
• Oshino Hakkai, a tourist village with eight ponds
• Caves created by past eruptions of Mount Fuji

2. Mount Kailash, Tibet

The Unclimbable Mountain, they call it.

At 6,638 metres, Mount Kailash is neither the world’s tallest mountain nor the one with the most difficult ascent. Yet, expert mountaineers and team after team have either been unable to complete the journey to the summit because of sudden inclement weather or outright refused to do so for reasons not always made clear.

Myth tells us that the only person who successfully gazed down on the world from the peak of Mount Kailash was the famed Tibetan mystic, Milarepa, who made the trek about 900 years ago. So, what power does this mysterious peak hold?

The imposing Mount Kailash is shaped like a diamond, with four steep, black sides. It is located in Tibet in the Burang County of Ngari Prefecture. Darchen Village, located about 1,216 kilometres away from the Tibetan capital, Lhasa, is the gateway to Kailash.

It is said that Mount Kailash is the holiest place in the world. Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and Bön followers all view Mount Kailash as their sacred mountain.

A map of Mount Kailash. Click on image to enlarge.

In Jainism, Mount Kailash is named Mount Ashtapada and is believed to be the location where Rishabhadeva gained liberation from rebirth. In the Bön religion, which existed in Tibet before Buddhism, Mount Kailash is the home of the sky goddess Sipaimen. In Hinduism, it is known as Kailash Parbat, the home of Shiva, the god of destruction and regeneration. It is their paradise and regarded as the spiritual centre of the world. For Tibetan Buddhists, Kailash or Gang Rinpoche is the abode of Buddha Demchok or Heruka Chakrasamvara.

Pilgrims visiting Mount Kailash circumambulate the holy mountain to clear their bad karma (sins). The trek distance is about 32 miles (51.5 kilometres) long with altitudes ranging from 15,000 feet to 19,000 feet. They circumambulate according to their religion, either clockwise or anti-clockwise, and the route is called a kora in Tibetan or parikrama in Sanskrit. The circumambulation can be completed in a single day, taking about 14 hours but visitors, especially those sight-seeing, can take up to three days.

People who are not physically able to cover the distance on foot can opt to hire a yak, a pony or a motor vehicle. Many Tibetans perform the kora of Mount Kailash either 3, 13 or even 108 times. Others do full-length body prostrations along the circuit, a gruelling feat that takes weeks to accomplish.

The full-length body prostrations around the mountain can take weeks to complete

There are two lakes that form part of the landscape here. The first is Lake Mansarovar, which is part of the pilgrimage site. Located at the foot of Mount Kailash, it is the highest freshwater lake in the world at an altitude of 4,500 metres and considered one of the holiest lakes in Asia. Its surface shimmers in a stunning play of colours as light meets water.

Other important attractions are the Tirthapuri hot springs, Gauri Kund – the lake of compassion, and Yam Dwar – the starting point of the Parikrama. Asthapad (Eight Steps) is the place where the founder of Jainism, Tirthankara Shri Rishabhadev Bhagwan attained Nirvana, at the base of Mount Kailash.

Another map of Mount Kailash. Click on image to enlarge.

The best time to visit the Unclimbable Mountain is between April and October as the average temperature is a pleasant 15°C. Saga Dawa, a grand religious festival that is one of the most significant in Buddhism, is celebrated in May and June. Celebrations here infuse a splash of colour into the stark surroundings.

3. Mauna Kea, Hawaii

A million years old and the tallest mountain on earth if measured from its underwater base, Mouna Kea, also known as ‘Mauna a Wakea’ is one of the most sacred sites for native Hawaiians and occupies an important place in their mythology. It was also a historical burial place as remains have been found next to the lake.

The name means ‘white mountain’, inspired by its snow-covered peak, and attracts many pilgrims who climb up its steep slopes. Rising about 4,207 metres above sea level, it is the highest peak in the Pacific. However, its height from the bottom of the ocean floor in the Pacific Ocean is more than 10 kilometres, which makes it taller than Mount Everest.

A beautiful shot of Mauna Kea

In Hawaiian mythology, the roof of the mountain belongs to the gods. The name Mauna a Wakea has its origins in the Hawaiian sky father, Wakea, who is considered the father of the Hawaiian people. Wakea is the partner of Papahanaumoku, the earth mother who gave birth to the Hawaiian islands. The summit is considered the realm of the gods and in ancient times it was ‘kapu‘ (forbidden) to all except the highest chiefs and priests. Poli’ahu, the snow goddess of Mauna Kea, is the rival of Pele, the goddess of the fiery volcanoes, who resides at Mauna Loa.

A map of Mouna Kea. Click on image to enlarge.

Next to Mauna Kea is Lake Waiau, situated at an altitude of 3,970 metres. The name Waiau means “swirling water” in Hawaiian. The water of Lake Waiau is said to be pure and has long been used for healing and worship purposes. It is said that the goddess Waiau used to bathe in the lake, thus it is considered very sacred and is still used for certain rituals such as discarding the umbilical cord of a newborn to ensure good fortune and strength for the baby.

With a sacred mountain and similarly sacred lake situated in such close proximity, the area is alive with energy and power. Unfortunately, it seems that the water of Lake Waiau is now disappearing.

Those who want to climb to the peak of Mauna Kea should know that it can be 40 degrees cooler compared to the beach. It is recommended to not attempt an ascent in the months of January and February as there can be severe snowstorms.

The sky from Mauna Kea

4. San Francisco Peaks, Arizona

The Native American tribes are some of the most honourable people to ever walk the earth. Despite their ferocity in battle, they respected nature, adhered to high standards of self-discipline and observed lofty principles of fairness. This philosophy was a gift from their gods, some of whom their legends say lived on the mountains of the San Francisco Peaks.

The San Francisco Peaks are a volcanic mountain range in Arizona, located north of Flagstaff and about 80 kilometres south of the Grand Canyon. The three main peaks are Humphreys Peak at 3,850 metres, Agassiz Peak at 3,766 metres, and Fremont Peak at 3,649 metres. The range is part of the Kachina Peaks Wilderness Area.

The San Francisco Peaks

According to local legend, the mountain range got its name because one could supposedly see the city of San Francisco from here, which is of course not the case. Other sources say the name is a reference to the order of the Franciscans named after St. Francis of Assisi.

The San Francisco Peaks are sacred to local Native American tribes like the Navajo, Hopi, Havasupai, Apache, Acoma and Zuni. Each has its own name for the range and it occupies a particular place in the legends unique to that tribe.

A close-up of the San Francisco Peaks. Click on image to enlarge.

The Hopi people, for example, consider the San Francisco Peaks a pure and sacred space and have used it to conduct ceremonies for millennia. They believe that the katsinam or kachina, spirit messengers, reside at the Peaks and become clouds after they pass away. The katsinam serve as spiritual guides to the Hopi people and visit them during the first part of the year.

According to Navajo mythology, four sacred mountains surround their territory: Mount Hesperus Dibé Nitsaa in the North, Mount Bianca in the East, Mount Taylor in the South, and the San Francisco Peaks or Dook’o’oslííd in the West.

Dook’o’oslííd in Navajo means “the summit which never melts”. According to Navajo mythology, Dook’o’oslííd was created by the God Áltsé hastiin, the first man, and Áltse adzáá, the first woman, and was attached to the sky by a ray of sunlight.

The region offers a range of outdoor activities, particularly a wide range of hiking trails to suit everyone from the novice hiker to the experienced trekker looking for a challenge. The snowy peaks are great for skiing and snowmobiling, while equestrian activities are also very popular.

The most visited region is around Humphreys Peak, where there are options for climbing, hiking, mountaineering and even skiing. The best time for climbing Humphreys Peak is from June to October. The winds are strong, especially in the spring, so it is recommended you avoid the March to June period.

5. Mount Sinai, Sinai Peninsula

Perhaps the best known of all sacred mountains for its enduring depiction in Christian and Jewish stories and in popular culture, Mount Sinai is a testament to how just a name can elicit great joy in people for its intimate link with our beliefs.

Mount Sinai is located in Egypt on the Sinai Peninsula and rises to a height of 2,285 metres. It is sacred to three religions – Christianity, Judaism and Islam.

No trace of any Jewish places of worship remain, although the Moses Cave, where the Jewish prophet is said to have waited before God revealed the Ten Commandments to him does exist and can be visited. At the foot of the mountain, a Greek Orthodox chapel called Saint Catherine’s Monastery built in 565 CE, still stands while a mosque was built at the summit over a thousand years later.

A map of Mount Sinai. Click on image to enlarge.

St. Catherine’s Monastery is one of the oldest monasteries in the world. This is also where the biblical site of the Burning Bush can be found – it is said to have been transplanted to this spot from a few yards away so that it came into the security of the courtyard; however, the Church insists that it is the original site. The 700 metre ascent from the monastery to the summit can be completed either on foot or on a camel. It consists of nearly 4,000 steps.

The mosque on top of Mount Sinai is still active while the Greek Orthodox chapel is not open to the public. Yet, the former does not feature in religious history while the latter is said to be the source of the rock used for the Tablets of Stone of the Bible and Torah .

The Sinai region has the climate of a desert. It is recommended to travel there either in spring or autumn as the summers are very hot. In spring, the sky will probably be clearer and the area will have more vegetation and water. In the winter, it can be incredibly cold and even snow on the mountain.

Close-up of Mount Sinai

6. Mount Shasta, California

Map of Mount Shasta. Click on image to enlarge.

Bigfoot, UFOs and a pre-Atlantean pygmy race – these are just a small cross-section of the amazing tales that surround the mysterious Mount Shasta. Revered for millennia by the Native Americans, it has experienced a rejuvenation of sorts with the rise of New Age mysticism.

Mount Shasta is located in Northern California, USA, and is part of the Cascade Mountain Range. It is a potentially active volcano with a height of 4,322 metres and one of the largest volcanic peaks in the US. Mount Shasta last erupted in 1786. It is said that the area around Mount Shasta is where the oldest known settlement in the region was located, roughly 7,000 years ago.

Sunset at Mount Shasta

In the Karuk language of the Native Americans, Mount Shasta is called Úytaahkoo meaning “White Mountain”, a reference to its snowy slopes. Many Native American tribes like the Wintu, Karuk, Okwanuchu and Modoc as well as the Sastise Indians lived close to the mountain. It is also home to several sacred tribal sites where medicine men and women were trained, spiritual vision quests were held, and healing and guiding were given.

The local tribes describe a war between the spirit of the underworld, Llao, who lived under Mount Mazama and Skell, the spirit of the sky ‘Above-World’. Llao was rejected by the beautiful princess of the Klamath tribe, Loha, and he rained fire down upon her people in anger. They begged for Skell to intercede and he responded by engaging Llao in battle and defeating him. Llao’s decapitated head became Wizard’s Island which sits on Crater Lake, supposedly created by Skell over the dark pit where Llao’s remains were entombed.

According to Native American belief, there are “The Little People of Mount Shasta” living within the mountain. They are about four feet tall and serve as the guardians of the sacred sites. Post-Native American legends say these beings are able to make themselves invisible at will and their ancestors are the pre-Atlantean people of Lemuria. It is also believed that there are 1.5 million Lemurians living deep inside Mount Shasta who have unlimited health and wealth and live in a Utopian community.

Bigfoot sightings have been reported in some secluded areas of Mount Shasta. Mount Shasta is also known for UFO sightings. The confluence of ancient traditions, urban legends and modern mysteries at Mount Shasta suggests that there are powerful forces at play in this sacred place, which explains its popularity within the New Age beliefs community.

Apart from an exploration of the myriad tales and myths, there are many physical activities to indulge in while at Mount Shasta. Its warm and dry summers and long, very cold and wet winters are perfect for outdoor exploration. Hiking or biking on hundreds of miles of trails, bird watching, water sports and different snow sports in the wintertime are especially popular.

Mount Shasta

7. Mount Olympus, Greece

Greek myths have influenced literature, thought and civilisation itself for almost three millennia. No aspect of life has remained untouched from the influence or stories of the Greek deities. The gods of the Greek pantheon live on today in modern fiction and in our minds and imagination, but their mythical home is Mount Olympus.

Mount Olympus is the highest mountain in Greece, the second-highest mountain in the Balkans, and is situated within the Olympos massif, the tallest mountain range in the country. The slopes of Mount Olympus lie about 263 kilometres from the capital, Athens, and 78 kilometres from Thessaloniki, in northern Greece.

In Greek mythology, Mount Olympus is the abode of the twelve Olympian gods: Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Athena, Apollo, Artemis, Hestia, Demeter, Hermes, Aphrodite, Ares and Hephaestus.

Mytikas, the highest peak at 2,918 metres was called Pantheon, the site where the gods met. Thronos Dios, known today as Stefani, was where the god Zeus had his throne, according to the Greek poet, Homer. At the northern foot of the mountain, in Pieria, lived the nine Muses, daughters of Zeus, together with their mother Mnemosyne, the Titaness of memory and remembrance. The Muses were the patrons of the Fine Arts: art, literature and science.

According to legend, before the Olympian Gods moved to Mount Olympus, they defeated the Titans then built their home on Mount Olympus to watch over the world of the mortals.

Outside of mythology, Mount Olympus is also home to the highest-altitude chapel of Orthodox Christianity. It is located on Profitis Ilias and was erected in the 16^th century by Saint Dionysios of Olympus. In 1987, a very important mosaic was found here and was restored and moved to a protected site.

Mount Olympus was originally named Mount Belus. In the time of the Ottoman Empire, it was the base of anti-Turk operations by local resistance fighters as well as during the resistance against the German occupation (1941-1944) and later when the Greek Civil War started in Litochoro (1946-1949).

In 1938, the region surrounding Mount Olympus was declared a National Park and it features some of the richest flora anywhere in Greece. The Olympus National Park is also home to a variety of animals such as deer, wolves, wild goats, wild boar, chamois, foxes, jackals and wild cats. Many endangered birds like rare woodpeckers and the golden eagle, as well as a huge number of butterflies are native to the Park

The Mediterranean climate has hot and dry summers, humid and cold winters, and snow and rain are not uncommon even during the summer at higher altitudes. As such, Mount Olympus is a haven for outdoor activities such as hiking, paragliding, climbing, canyoning, birdwatching and even skiing, as the seasons permit.

The Olympus Marathon ends every year at Litochoro, a town on the eastern side of the mountain. There are also museums to be visited such as the Geological History Museum and the Dion Archaeological Museum, which has excellent audio-visual information on Mount Olympus.

8. Wu Tai Shan, China

Map of Wu Tai Shan. Click on image to enlarge.

If the sanctity of sacred mountains is to be judged by the number of places of worship that have been carved and chipped into their age-old facades, Wu Tai Shan in China would easily be one of the most revered. Over the centuries, not only have hundreds of such sites been created here by human hands, but countless other caves and caverns have seen some of the most blessed practitioners of Buddhism hallow them with their presence and meditations.

Wu Tai Shan is the source of the river Qingshui in the province of Shanxi, in the North-Eastern region of China. The meaning of the name Wu Tai Shan is ‘Five Terrace Mountain’. It stands at a height of 3,061 metres and is one of the Four Sacred Mountains according to Chinese Buddhism.

Wu Tai Shan has five flat-topped peaks; the Northern Peak is the highest at 3,061 metres and is also the highest point in North China, earning it the moniker “Roof of Northern China”. The other peaks are Wanghai Peak or “Peak Overlooking the Sea” in the East, Guayue Peak or “Hanging Moon Peak” in the West, Jinxiu Peak or “Splendour Peak” in the South, Yedou Peak or “Peak of Flourishing Leaves” in the north, and finally Cuiyan Peak or “Peak of Green Rocks” in the centre.

Known as the Purple Palace Mountain or Zi Fu Shan in the Taoist tradition, Wu Tai Shan was a sacred mountain even before Buddhism arrived in China and many Taoist saints have lived there. From a Buddhist perspective, it is said to be extremely sacred as it is the earthly abode of Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom.

Wu Tai Shan is divided into the inner Mount Wu Tai and the Outer Mount Wu Tai, and is peppered with many temples and sacred caves. Major sites to visit include The Great White Stupa at the Tayuan Temple, the Manjushri’s Hair Stupa, the Yuanzhoa Temple, and the Rahula Temple or Luohou Temple to name just a few.

During the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220 CE), many Buddhist temples were built on these peaks. Buton Rinchen Drub states in his work “The History of Buddhism” that the first Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo (617-650 CE) built 108 temples on Wu Tai Shan. There were a further 360 temples added during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE).

According to the Testament of Ba, an account written by a member of King Trisong Detsen’s (755-797 CE) court, the Tibetans made a detour to visit Wu Tai Shan in 755 CE even though it made the trip much longer. The first depiction of Wu Tai Shan was recorded for the Tibetan King Trisong Detsen who requested a map of the mountain. Today, more than 53 sacred monasteries or temples remain on Mount Wu Tai and some of them are considered the most important of their kind in the country.

The best time to visit Wu Tai Shan is between June and September as you will be able to listen to teachings by ordained monks and nuns. It is also when the Tiaobuza Festival, a Buddhist cultural festival, is held every year.

The climate in Wu Tai Shan is cold with an early winter and the temperature dips below zero from October to April. It is recommended to always bring warm clothing, even if visiting during the warmer months.

9. Uluru, Australia

The pleasure of the alien sight, the wonder of an orange-red monolith rising up out of the flatness of the desert, the play of light that births and moulds shadows of seemingly preternatural inspiration… Uluru.

Aerial view of Mount Uluru

Known also as Ayers Rock, this amazing testament to the creative tilt that nature possesses is located in the centre of Australia, in the southern part of the Northern Territory state. It is about 335 kilometres from Alice Springs as the crow flies but the distance is about 450 kilometres by road.

Map of Mount Uluru. Click on image to enlarge.

Uluru and Kata Tjuta, also called the Olgas, together make up the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and are sacred to the Anangu Aboriginal people. Custody of Uluru and Kata Tjuta was returned to the Anangu people by the Australian Government in 1983. According to archaeological research, the aboriginal peoples have lived in Central Australia for 30,000 years.

Surrounded by the Central Australian desert, Uluru is believed to be more than 600 million years old. The monolith is made of sandstone and stands out with its height of 348 metres and circumference of 9.4 kilometres amidst the nothingness of its surroundings. According to geologists, Uluru is an island mountain and extends nearly 6 kilometres below ground.

Aboriginal myth speaks of the ‘Dreamtime’, ‘Dreaming’ or ‘Tjukurpa’, the creation at the beginning of time by their ancestral spirits. It has the meaning ‘to see and understand the law’ and is about past, present and future which they believe happen all at the same time. The Dreaming passes down cultural values and belief systems to younger generations through song, dance, painting and storytelling. Paintings depicting the events of the Dreaming have been found at Uluru.

One can take guided walks with park rangers to explore the sacred site. A walk around the base of Uluru covers a distance of about 10.6 kilometres but is well worth the effort for the amazing kaleidoscopic shift of colours on the surface of the rock caused by the rays of the sun. Learn about local plants and animals, and discover the Anangu culture for a well-rounded spiritual adventure.

The Anangu people have long discouraged visitors from climbing Mount Uluru, and the practice will become illegal in 2019.

The Mutitjulu Waterhole, home to the ancestral water snake of the Aboriginals, can be visited on a guided tour too. The paintings, symbols and figures at this age-old site represent animals and their tracks, waterholes and other local features. Stories are told to accompany the paintings to give greater depth of meaning and enhance the dimensions of the experience.

Talinguru Nyakunytjaku is a viewing area constructed in 2009 from which Uluru and the Olgas can be seen well. A cultural centre is attached to the National Park and is the best place to obtain information on various aspects of Aboriginal life, including bush food and traditional weapons and tools.

The temperature at Uluru in summer (December to February) can go as high as 47° Celsius and in winter (June to August), it can drop to –7° Celsius. December usually sees the highest temperatures and visitors must be aware of the risk of dehydration and heat stroke to protect themselves.

10. Vulture’s Peak, India

How unusual it is that a place with such significance in our lives is named for a creature that we seldom associate with goodness or spirituality. The Buddha himself walked the Griddhkuta, perhaps as a lesson to us that there is so much more to the true beauty of the soul than given names and outward appearances.

Vulture’s Peak or Griddhkuta is located in Rajgir or the Royal Mountain, in the Nalanda district of India’s Bihar state. It was here that the capital of the Magadha kingdom was located until the 5^th century BCE. The name is derived from Rajagriha or “Royal House”.

The height of Vulture’s Peak is 388 metres and it is one of the eight great places for traditional Buddhist pilgrimage. Vulture’s Peak earned its name from the vultures who used to gather on its rocks.

Map of the Vulture’s Peak. Click on image to enlarge.

Vulture’s Peak is held in high esteem because so many monumental events in the life of the Buddha occurred here. It was Buddha Shakyamuni’s favourite place for his retreats, and the Buddha gave many of his teachings and sutra transmissions there. He taught the Prajnaparamita or Transcendent Perfection of Wisdom Sutra here and it is also here that the cave where Buddha discussed his teachings with his disciples for the first time is located.

It was on Vulture’s Peak that the Buddha tamed a wild elephant which had escaped. The escape was arranged by the Buddha’s jealous cousin, Devadatta, who wanted to hurt the Buddha. King Bimbisara also gifted Buddha the Venuvana, the bamboo grove in Nalanda which is known to be the first Buddhist monastery. It is located beside the Japanese Temple near the Rajgir Heritage Museum, which exhibits a treasure trove of Hindu and Buddhist sculpture from the Gupta and Pala Empires.

There is also Karanda, the place where Buddha bathed. Another important historical place is the Saptaparni Cave where the ‘Atanatiya’ or First Buddhist Council was held after the Buddha’s passing into Paranirvana.

Rajgir is also held in high regard by followers of Jainism and Hinduism. Lord Mahavira, the founder of Jainism, is said to have passed many years at Rajgir, and spent many rainy season retreats there. He was cremated at nearby Pawapuri in 500 BCE and the Jal Mandir temple is located there today.

Ananda’s cave, where he meditated. It’s located along the way to Vulture’s Peak.

The hot water springs of Rajgir are reputed to cure skin diseases; they are located at Venuvana at the foot of Vaibhava Hill. During Buddha’s time, there was a Buddhist monastery at Tapodarama, which is now known as the Hindu temple, Lakshmi Narayan Mandir. The Cyclopean Wall, constructed without the use of mortar thousands of years ago, runs 40 kilometres around the city of Rajgir and is an ancient engineering marvel. A ropeway leads to the Peace Pagoda or Rajgir Vishwa Shanti Stupa, which stands 38 metres tall.

Temperatures at Vulture’s Peak can go as high as 40°C in the summer and as low as 6°C at night in winter. The recommended time to visit Vulture’s Peak is from October to March, which is winter, because the daytime temperatures are ideal for exploring.

Sangha making prayers at Vulture’s Peak

The Call of the Mountain

I hope you have enjoyed this trip with me to some of the holiest mountains around the world. My inspiration for this article came from my own visits to a number of sacred and ancient mountains over the years. These visits fascinated me and stirred a desire to learn more about their ancient connections to the sacred divine, its meaning and the beauty of nature.

It is my hope that I have been able to inspire you to learn more about sacred mountains and, perhaps, even to visit them yourself.

 
For more interesting information:

• Wonderful Lumbini
• Wonderful Nepal
• 8 Holy Buddhist Pilgrimage Sites – Part 1
• 8 Holy Buddhist Pilgrimage Sites – Part 2
• Must visit Bodhgaya – The Navel of the World
• Pilgrimage Through India & Nepal
• Wonderful Japan – Tokyo
• Wonderful Korea – Jeju
• Wonderful Bhutan
• Pilgrimage to Sarnath, Varanasi
• Important Sites of Buddhist Pilgrimage – Kushinagar, India
• Avalokiteshvara in Sri Lanka
• The Great Buddha of Kamakura
• Wonderful Cambodia
• Ganden Sumtseling Monastery the beautiful
• Power Place: Jog Falls

Please support us so that we can continue to bring you more Dharma:

If you are in the United States, please note that your offerings and contributions are tax deductible. ~ the tsemrinpoche.com blog team