Why did Mount Kailash in the Himalayas become such a mountain of religious significance?

by myballstastenice

There are several religious stories associated with the peak, but why that peak in particular? In the Himalayas people would seem to have their pick of mountains. Was it close to another famous site, on an existing pilgrimage or trade route, or perhaps was it just prettier than others?

AChirp

For that matter, why does any mountain become sacred? Has anyone done research that links sacred mountains to one another by shared attributes? Or how about sacred geology period?