Stan Gemlitski, Mount Kailash Pilgrimage, Tibet 2016 (Documentary/Photojournalism (ATEP 2017))

Mount Kailash is one of the most sacred spots on earth, and is a holy pilgrimage site for people of the Hindu, Buddhist, Jain and Bon faiths. Pilgrims of several religions believe that circumambulating Mount Kailash on foot is a holy ritual that will bring good fortune. The peregrination is made in a clockwise direction by Hindus and Buddhists. Followers of the Jain and Bönpo religions circumambulate the mountain in a counterclockwise direction. The path around Mount Kailash is 52 km long. Mount Kailash somewhat unusual shape has led to speculations that perhaps the mountain is not a mountain at all. Russian scientists have suggested that the top of Mount Kailash is actually a giant man-made pyramid from ancient times. Now, if this is true, then human history has to be re-written. It would mean that this is the largest known pyramid known today.

Images have been resized for web display, which may cause some loss of image quality. Note: Original high-resolution images are used for judging.