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Lake Manasarovar
Lake Manasarovar
In front of the Kailash lies the crystal Holy Lake, Manasarova (Mapam Tso). As one of the highest fresh water lakes in the world, the lake covers 412square kilometers (159 square miles) and its altitude is 4588 meters (15049 feet). Rippling blue water and reflections of snow capped peaks and white clouds present beautiful scenery that is almost indescribable. Nine monasteries were once set up around the holy lake to facilitate religious cultivation.The lake is a holy lake to Buddhism, Hinduism and the local Bon faith. Countless of Buddhist, Hindus and Bonists pilgrims trek thousands of miles to pay their pilgrimage to the holy lake. Its Tibetan name means "perpetually invincible". It was said that in the 11th century, Milarepa, a great adepter in Tibetan Buddhism, fought a contest of magical power with a Bonist and defeated him. There are many other beautiful stories about the sacred, holy lake. Buddhists believes the lake was amrita bestowed upon Tibetan people by Chakrasamvara. People believe that the water from the holy lake can remove one¡®s physical and spiritual discomfort. Even plants and fish that are somehow related to the lake are deemed as magical medicines. Pilgrims turning prayer wheels, circumambulate the lake to show their piety. Every summer, pilgrims from Tibet, India and Nepal cluster to make circumambulation and bathe in the lake. After, they will return home and bring samples of the holy water to family and friends as precious gifts.The neighboring Lake Rakshastal (La¡®nga Tso) is in fact beautiful too. However, with it being branded as Ghost Lake, one will always carry a sense of weirdness when standing beside the lake. |
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