Sacred Peaks: Mountains Worshipped Across Cultures

Mountains are often considered to have a spiritual and mythological significance. They are considered as divine abodes by humanity where God resides and where one can do penance for the sins they have committed and attain moksha. There are a lot of legendary peaks all over the world which are not just geographical landmarks but also considered the staircase to heaven!

Let’s look at some of the stunning sacred peaks:

This mountain peak is in the form of a pyramid with four faces, and many rivers like the Indus, Sutlej, Brahmaputra, and Karnali originate from this area. Kailash is also considered the mythical home of Lord Shiva, located in Tibet and is considered as having religious significance by different religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. In Hinduism, it is considered as the manifestation of Mount Meru where the deity Shiva resides with his wife Parvati and children, while Jainism considers it as the place where their first Tirthankara attained liberation. People specially come here to walk around the mountain as it is considered as capable of cleansing karma, and one can also get moksha.

This mountain peak is located in Shinto, Japan and is considered to house the goddess Konohanasakuya-hime. This peak stands at a height of 3,776 m and is considered sacred both in Shintoism and Buddhism. Worshipping here is considered to pacify volcanic eruptions and honour the mountain Kami. This peak is also called a ‘mountain of gods’ by the local people. One can find two Sengen shrines here, one at the top of the mountain and another at the foot, which is why this peak is considered sacred.

This peak is located in Egypt. This mountain peak is scripted in the Bible as the location where Moses received the Ten Commandments by God. One can also find the Moses cave here, making it even more believable as it is considered that this is where the encounter occurred. This peak also houses the Greek Orthodox chapel and an Islamic mosque and also the Saint Catherine’s Monastery. Visitors mostly climb this peak to retrace the route Moses is said to have taken. As this peak is mentioned in quite a few religious texts, it is considered a popular pilgrimage destination.

This is Greece’s highest peak standing at a height of 9,750 feet. It is considered as the sacred abode of the Twelve Olympian Gods and is also the throne of Zeus, the Greek god. Greeks believe that this place was a home to the divine Greek gods namely Zeus, Poseidon, Athena, Apollo, and many more. The lower areas of this peak have sanctuaries which host the annual festivals and sacrificial ceremonies as a tribute to Zeus and other gods. A Prometheia festival held annually at the mountain’s foothills considerably revives the ancient Greek rituals. This is considered as a blend of the mortal and divine realms.

This is India’s second highest mountain peak and is about a height of 7,816 m. This peak is considered as an incarnation of Parvati, wife of Shiva, and is also seen as the protector of the Garhwal and Kumaon regions. Even though this peak is considered benevolent, it is also capable of wrath if disrespected. Its sacrificial offerings and temple rituals reflect both her nurturing and fierce sides. A lot of sites all over Uttarakhand are dedicated to Nanda Devi and certain annual fairs also take place here like Nanda Devi Ashtami and the Nanda Devi Fair.