Included in this index of sacred mountains are mountains that are regarded as sacred in themselves (such as Mt. Fuji) as well as those that have become sacred due to their association with a historical figure or event (such as Mt. Croagh Patrick).
Mt. Agung, Bali
Mount Agung (3,148 meters; 10,308 feet) is the most sacred mountain in Bali. An active volcano, Mt. Agung last erupted in March 1963. The lava flows missed, sometimes by mere yards, the Mother Temple of Besakih, which is located on the slopes of the sacred mountain.
Mt. Blanca (Tsisnaasjini' - Dawn or White Shell Mountain), USA
Native American sacred mountain of the east, near Alamosa in San Luis Valley, Colorado.
Mt. Croagh Patrick, Ireland
Mt. Croagh Patrick (also spelled Croach Patrick) is a mountain near the town of Westport in County Mayo, Ireland. Each year, as many as one million pilgrims and visitors make the trek to the top to pray at the stations of the cross, participate in Mass, do penance (in which case the rocky journey is undertaken barefoot) or just enjoy the spectacular view.
Mt. Fuji, Japan
In Japan, Mount Fuji (Fujiyama) is revered by Shintoists as sacred to the goddess Sengen-Sama, whose shrine is found at the summit. Named after the Buddhist fire goddess Fuchi, the mountain is believed to be the gateway to another world. The mountain was originally sacred to the Ainu, the aboriginal inhabitants of Japan. (Sacred Places)
Mt. Heng Bei (Heng Shan Bei)
Taoist sacred mountain of the north, Shanxi province, China.
Mt. Heng Nan (Heng Shan Nan)
Taoist sacred mountain of the south, Hunan province, China.
Mt. Hesperus/Obsidian Mountain (Dibé Nitsaa - Big Mountain Sheep), USA
Native American sacred mountain of the north, La Plata Mountains, Colorado.
Mt. Hua (Hua Shan)
Taoist sacred mountain of the west, Shanxi province, China.
Mt. Jiu Hua (Jiu Hua Shan), China
Buddhist sacred mountain of the south, Anhui province, China. Sacred to Bodhisattva Kshitigarbha.
Mt. Kailash, Tibet
Mount Kailash,
one of the tallest peaks in the Himalayas and near the source of the Ganges, is venerated by Hindus, Jains, and Tibetan Buddhists. Buddhists regard the mountain as a giant mandala and do not climb it because of its great holiness.
Mt. Nebo, Jordan
Mt. Nebo is believed to be the mountain from which Moses viewed the Promised Land and the mountain on which he is buried. It is an important Christian pilgrimage site.
Mt. Pu Tuo (Pu Tuo Shan), China
Buddhist sacred mountain of the east, Zhejiang province, China. Sacred to Bodhisattva Kuan-Yin.
Mt. Shasta, California, USA
A Native American sacred mountain that is now the focus of New Age beliefs.
Mt. Sinai, Egypt
Alhough made famous in the Hebrew scriptures, Mt. Sinai is primarily a Christian pilgrimage site.
Mt. Song (Song Shan), China
Taoist sacred mountain of the center, Henan province, China.
Mt. Tai (Tai Shan), China
Taoist sacred mountain of the east, Shandong province, China.
Mt. Taylor (Tsoodzil - Blue Bead or Turquoise Mountain), USA
Native American sacred mountain of the south, north of Laguna, New Mexico.
Mt. Wu Tai (Wu Tai Shan), China
Buddhist sacred mountain of the north, Shanxi province, China. Sacred to Bodhisattva Manjushri.
Mt. Emei (Emei Shan), China
Buddhist sacred mountain of the west, Sichuan province, China. Sacred to Bodhisattva Samantabhadra.
San Francisco Peaks (Doko'oosliid - Abalone Shell Mountain), USA
Native American sacred mountain of the west, near Flagstaff, Arizona.
Uluru/Ayers Rock, Australia
Although not actually a mountain, this 1,100-foot-high sandstone rock shares the attributes of most sacred mountains - the Aborigines regard it as sacred, do not climb it out of respect, and associate it with creation.
