Here's what we know:
* The Buddha's Birth: Prince Siddhartha was born in Lumbini, Nepal. Accounts of his birth often mention a white elephant, but it symbolizes his conception, not a ride.
* The Himalayas: While the Buddha spent time in the Himalayas, there's no mention of a white elephant being involved in his travels.
* Symbolic Importance: Elephants are often associated with royalty, wisdom, and strength in Asian cultures. White elephants are especially revered, often symbolizing auspiciousness.
It's important to separate historical fact from mythology and symbolic representation. While the white elephant is a powerful image in Buddhist tradition, it's not based on historical evidence.