Lake Manasarovar

Manasarovar Lake

The religious traditions of Buddhism, Jainism, Bon, and Hinduism define considerable significance to Lake Manasarovar, situated in the remote area of western Tibet. The lake is located at an elevation of 4600 m. above sea level. It covers an area of 320 square kilometres under the surface, and the overall circumference of the lake is 88 kilometres. 

According to Hindu mythology, the lake was created by Baramha, one of the three principal deities in Hinduism, also referred to as the creator of all living beings. The Lake originated from the intellect ("Manasa") of Bramha, indicating that it was an outcome of divine thought. The term "Mansarovar" in Sanskrit is derived from two components: "Manasa," which refers to the mental faculties, and "Sarovar," signifying a lake or a large pond. "manas+sarovar" (Manasarovar) signifies a lake associated with intellect, perception, and conscience. The local Tibetans refer to this lake as MapLakeumtso.

For Hindus, Manasarovar represents the pinnacle of their spiritual journey in this lifetime. The belief is that visiting the area and taking a holy dip in the lake will help purify sins that have accumulated over 100 lifetimes. They also believe that certain enigmatic activities that do not belong to this realm occur here. There is a widespread belief in Hindu mythology that the lake has a Lakeen presence of gods and goddesses.

Lake Manasarovar

It is also claimed that Queen Maya Devi, mother of Lord "Shakyamuni Buddha," had visited Lake Manasarovar during her lifetime. During one of Mayadevi's sacred immersions in this lake, the Lord Buddha was conceived within her.

Tibetans know the lake as "Mapam Yum Tso," which translates to invincible or unconquerable lake. As per Buddhist philosophy, the lake has a central location in the cosmos. This lake holds significant sacred value in Tibet, alongside Nam Tso Lake and Yamdruk Tso Lake. Tibetans believe that the lake's water has remarkable curative qualities and can purify the sins accumulated throughout one's life. Buddhist mythology indicates that Shakyamuni Buddha made miraculous visits to Lake Manasarovar several times, where he meditated by the water's edge.

Several monasteries surround the sacred places of Lake Manasarovar. Serlung Monastery is situated in the east. Trugo Monastery is located on the lake's south side; Chiu Monastery is situated on the top of a rocky hill on the west side; and Gosul Monastery is located between Trugo Monastery and Chiu Monastery on the southwest side of Lake Manasarovar.

Another Buddhist mythology refers to Lake Manasarovar as "Anavatapta," a term that conveys the notion of being "heat-free" or "the lake free of fire." The waters of the lake can ease the anxiety associated with the world's difficulties. In this context, fire represents sorrow, greed, hardship, and fear, each of which plays a role in human suffering and cultivates a connection to material things. After immersing oneself in this lake and performing meditation, one can conquer suffering, comparable to being "free of heat.".

In a different facet of Buddhist mythology, "Anavatapta" refers to the name of a dragon king who is believed to reside in Lake Manasarovar. The lake's extraordinary power enabled the dragon king to achieve bodhisattva status, leading to his liberation from suffering and turmoil.