Himalaya hold a prominent place in the culture and mythology of Indian people, particularly the Hindus.
Shiva, the most important among Trinity of Gods, resides on Mt Kailash and his consort, Parvati, is the daughter of Himalaya (or Himavan).
In Sanskrit, the word Parvati means ‘of the mountain’. When Ganga descends from the heavens after the long penitence of King Bhagirath, Shiva received her in his locks, and let her descend slowly on the Earth.
The river Yamuna is considered to be the daughter of Sun and sister of ‘Yama- the God of Death’. According to Buddhist mythology, Guru Padmasambhava was born from the lotus in a lake on the west of Mount Kailash.
This legend is similar to that of the birth of Lord Brahma in Hindu mythology.
