Walking around the mountain is a popular hike despite the length and difficult terrain. According to the sayings of Buddhism, one circle around the mountain can atone for all the sins committed throughout one's lifetime. Completing ten circles around the mountain will prevent eternal damnation of hell tribulation in one's reincarnations of 500 years. 108 revolutions will remove the sins of all one's lifetimes and bring salvation from reincarnation (moksa). Alternatively, pilgrims who complete one revolution of Kailash and bathe in the frigid waters of Lake Mansarovar will also bring salvation. One circle around the mountain is 52 km (32.31 mi.) long and takes about three days. Because of the high altitude, weather changes frequently.
According to Hinduism, Lord Shiva, the destroyer of evil and sorrow, resides at the summit of a legendary mountain named Kailasa , where he sits in a state of perpetual meditation along with his wife Parvati. In Vishnu Purana the mountain's four faces are made of crystal, ruby, gold, and lapis lazuli. It is a pillar of the world and is located at the heart of six mountain ranges symbolizing a lotus. The four rivers flowing from Kailash then flow to the four quarters of the world and divide the world into four regions. The largest and most important rock-cut temple, Kailash Temple at Ellora, Maharashtra is named after Mount Kailash. Many of its sculptures and reliefs depict episodes relating to Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati, including Ravana's tale. (Ravana was a devotee of Lord Shiva. Ramayana does not document Ravan shaking Kailasa mountain.) Ravana's mother had fallen ill. As they were great Lord Shiva devotees, he had attempted to carry the temple on his back to bring it closer to his mother. Shiva, being stunned by his boldness, had blessed him with immortality as Ravana had passed Lord Shiva's test of devotion.
Tantric Buddhists believe that Mount Kailash is the home of the Buddha Demchok who represents supreme bliss. They also say it was on this sacred mountain that Buddhism displaced Bon as the primary religion of Tibet. It is said that Milarepa (c. 1052-c. 1135 CE), champion of Tantric Buddhism, arrived in Tibet to challenge Naro Bon-chung, champion of the Bon religion of Tibet. The two magicians engaged in a terrifying sorcerers' battle, but neither was able to gain a decisive advantage. Finally, it was agreed that whoever could reach the summit of Kailash most rapidly would be the victor. While Naro Bon-chung sat on a magic drum and soared up the slope, Milarepa's followers were dumbfounded to see him sitting still and meditating. Yet when Naro Bon-chung was nearly at the top, Milarepa suddenly moved into action and overtook him by riding on the rays of the sun, thus winning the contest. He did, however, fling a handful of snow on to the top of a nearby mountain, since known as Bonri, bequeathing it to the Bonpo and thereby ensuring continued Bonpo connections with the region.
In Jainism, Kailash is known as Mount Ashtapada and is the site where the first Jain Tirthankara, Rishabhadeva, attained liberation from rebirth.
The Bon , a religion which predates Buddhism in Tibet, maintain that the entire mystical region and the nine-story Swastika Mountain are the seat of all spiritual power. This mountain is also said to be the gathering place of masses of gods, among which are the highest gods of Hinduism. I think it's obvious why people of many faiths gather here.
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