The peak is revered by Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and those belonging to the pre-Buddhist Bon religion.

© Shankar Bhujel/Nexpher Images, via ZUMA Press Wire, via Reuters

The largest contingent appears to have been pilgrims traveling between Nepal and a sacred site in the Chinese region of Tibet.

© Social media, via Reuters

Many of them were traveling to or from a Himalayan peak that is revered by Hindus as the spiritual home of the god Shiva.

© Niranjan Shrestha/Associated Press