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South
of Mt. Kailash is the revered Mansarovar Lake, the eastern
lake of two in the region. At an altitude of 14,950 ft
above sea level, Mansarovar is the highest body of fresh
water in the world. It is a remarkably beautiful site,
with waters that glisten a clear blue near the shores
and a deep emerald green in the center. Pilgrims flock
to this lake to make offerings to their ancestors and
for a holy ceremonial bath. The Hindu scriptures state
that those who take a dip at Mansarovar and complete the
parikrama around Mt. Kailashh are absolved of their sins,
and liberated from the cycle of birth and death, and are
ultimately united with Shiva. |
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| Hindus believe the
lake was created by Lord Brahma, the God of creation. Legend states
that Lord Brahma's sons, who were holy men, spent twelve years performing
austerities on the land at Mansarovar. But as they lacked a sufficient
site to perform their rites, they appealed to their divine Father
for help. In response, Lord Brahma created the sacred lake. Additionally,
according to traditional belief there is a giant jambu tree that grows
at the lake's center. This tree's fruit is believed to relieve all
human ailments-both mental and physical. |
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| Buddhists
associate Mansarovar with the legendary Anotatta Lake,
where Buddha's mother, Queen Maya, conceived him. Legend
says that the Queen, while in a dream state, was transported
to Mansarovar by the Gods and bathed in the lake's holy
waters. When her body was purified and her womb thus ready
to receive Buddha, he appeared from the direction of Kailash
riding a white elephant. |
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| Given its mythical
importance to Buddhists, a ring of eight Buddhist monasteries once
surrounded the lake, which was visualized as the Wheel of Life. A
complete circumambulation of the lake, passing all eight monasteries,
represented a symbolic turn of the Wheel. Through this act, a pilgrim
would accumulate a variety of blessings and benefits. The voyage around
the lake is approximately 64 miles, and usually takes pilgrims between
two to four days. |
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