Lake Manasarovar

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Lake Manasarovar (Sanskrit: मानसरोवर)(also known as Lake Manasarowar or Lake Mansarovar or Mapham Yutso as it is known in Tibetan) is a fresh-water lake in Tibet 2000 km from Lhasa. To the west of Lake Manasarovar is Lake Rakshastal and towards the north is Mount Kailash known in Tibetan as Khang Rinpoche.

[edit] Geography

Lake Manasarovar, shot in July 2006

Satellite view of lakes Manasarovar (right) and Rakshastal with Mount Kailash in the background

Manasarovar Lake is located at 30°40′25.68″N, 81°28′07.90″E, 4556 m above mean sea level. It the highest fresh-water lake in the world. Lake Manasarovar is relatively round in shape. The circumference of Manasarovar is 88 km, depth is 90 m and it occupies a total area of 320 km². The lake freezes in winter and melts only in the spring. The Sutlej River, the Brahmaputra River (the Tsangpo), the Indus River, and the Karnali River all trace their sources to its close vicinity.

[edit] Cultural significance

Like Mount Kailash, Lake Mansarovar is a place of pilgrimage, attracting religious people from India, Tibet and the neighboring countries. Pilgrimage tours are organized regularly, especially from India, the most famous of which is the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra which takes place every year. Pilgrims come to take ceremonial bathes in the cleansing waters of the lake.

According to Hindu mythology, the lake was first created in the mind of the Lord Brahma. Hence, in Sanskrit it is called "Manasarovar", which is a combination of the words Manas (mind) and Sarovar (lake). The Lake, in Hindu mythology, is also supposed to be the summer abode of swans, who are considered as very wise and sacred birds. Buddhists also associate the lake to the legendary Anotatta Lake, where Queen Maya is believed to have conceived Buddha. The lake has a few monasteries on its shores. The most notable of which is the ancient Chiu Gompa Monastery, which has been built right onto a steep hill. It looks as if it has been carved right out of the rock. The Jains and the Bonpas of Tibet equally revere this spot with great enthusiasm.

[edit] External link

• http://www.kmyatra.org/lake-mansarovar.htm
• Lake Manasarovar travel guide from Wikitravel

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Coordinates: 30°40′25.68″N, 81°28′07.90″E