To the Hindus, the Himalayas are central to their cosmology. The peaks  are the petals of the Golden Lotus which lord Vishnu created as a first step in the formation of the universe. On one of these peaks - Mount Kailash, sits Shiva in a state of perpetual meditation, generating the spiritaul force that sustains the cosmos.

The ancient text, Rigveda has a mention of the Himalayas, their formation and sacredness. The most sacred peak in the Himalayan range, Mount Kailash, is said to have been formed 30 million years ago during the early stages of the formation of the Himalayan chain.

According to the Jains, at the dawn of history their first law giver, Rishabhdev attained Nirvana on Mount Kailash.

Mount Kailash is situated in Tibet where it is given the dignified title of  'Kang Rampoche' meaning 'Precious Jewel'. Near Mount Kailash, during the geological shift in the initial statges of the formation of the Himalayan mountain chain four rivers arose from the area, flowing in four different directions : the Indus flowed north, the Karnali south, the Yarlung Tsangpo flowed east and Sutlej travelled west.

Kailas - Mansarovar today, the  very  fact   that  the  trips have been resumed raises hopes that, in the near future, more Indian pilgrims will be allowed to 
visit Western Tibet, the region of sacred mountains and  lakes. It is because  of  Kailas - Mansarovar,   which is 865 Kilomet.  from Delhi,  that  Kumaon  is  sometimes  called  'Manaskhand'.    Many of  our myths are associated with
this unusual mountain and lake. The Buddhists, the Jains and the Bonpas of
Tibet too,  consider this abode of  Lord Shiva and   Parvati  and  the lake  born  from  the  mind  of  Brahma to be a sacred place.

Therefore, it is not surprising that one often  comes across Om  Mani  Padme  Hum  (hail  to  the  Jewel  (of   creation)