The Kinnaur Kailash is located in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. More specifically, it is situated in the Kinnaur district. The Kinnaur Kailash Range borders the district of Kinnaur in the south. It is defined as a mountain. Locally, it is also known as Kinner Kailash. This mountain is sometimes confused with the Mount Kailash in Tibet and Kinner Kailash, which is a smaller holy pillar to the north of it.

Geography of Kinnaur Kailash Range
Globally, the Kinnaur Kailash Range can be pinpointed at coordinates 31 degrees 31 minutes 14 seconds north and 78 degrees 21 minutes 49 seconds east. It has an elevation of about 6,050 m (19,850 ft). The Himalayas are known to be its parent range. Jorkanden is the highest peak in the Kinner-Kailash range (elevation- 6473m). The Indo-Tibetan Border Police has climbed the Jorkanden in 1974. The Indian Para Regiment also climbed the Jorkanden in 1978.

Mythology Associated with Kinnaur Kailash Range
According to mythology, Kinnaur Kailash Range is known to exist since the time of Bhasmasur. Bhasmasura Praveen or Bhasmasur Praveen is mentioned in Hindu mythology as an asura or demon. Bhasmasur performed very tough austerities for several years by chanting the mantra, "Om Namah Shivay". This effort gained fruitful results for him. Shankar Bhagwan or Lord Shiva was pleased with his effort and asked him for a blessing. He asked that who"s ever head he touches, the person will turn into ashes (bhasma). Lord Shiva granted this power to him by saying "Tathastu". Consequently, Bhasmasur started executing his powers around the universe and scaring people. But Bhasmasur wanted to destroy Lord Shiva, by using his power against Him. This is because he desired to possess Lord Shiva"s wife, Parvati. This possession would only be possible upon His death. Lord Shiva then had to set out to hide Himself. He changed locations and finally arrived to Kinnaur Kailash. He stayed here for some period of time and even meditated here. This place is therefore associated with Lord Shiva and is also held sacred by both Hindu and Buddhist Kinnauris. Lord Vishnu then helped Lord Shiva by tricking Bhasmasur. Lord Vishnu turned Himself into a beautiful lady called Mohini. In this form, Lord Vishnu stood in the middle of the road. Bhasmasur when saw her was enchanted by her beauty. He wanted her to marry him, but she placed one condition in front of him. Mohini asked him to dance the same way as she would. While dancing she had placed her right hand on her own head. Bhasmasur without being thoughtful that this dance step or pose would turn his power against himself had placed his right hand on his own head. Bhasmasur thus ended up turning himself into ashes.

Shivlingam of Kinnaur Kailash Range
The Kinnaur Kailash Range has the Kinner Kailash Shivlingam. It is a 79 foot vertical holy rock. The Shivlingam is known to change colour during the course of the day. This phenomenon will be evident on a clear day. This rock face is located in between the 20,000 ft Kinner Kailash ranges of Mt. Kailash (19,850 ft) and Mt. Jorkanden (21,237 ft). The pass accessible on the trek to Kinnaur Kailash is the Charang La. It is located at an altitude of about 5300m. It is one of the toughest treks in Himachal Pradesh.

Related Articles:
Indian Mountains
Indian Mountain Ranges
Indian hill stations