Among the three great sacred lakes of Tibet, Mansarovar does not have the high altitude or vast expanse of Lake Namtso in Nagqu, nor is it as beautiful and charming as Lake Yamdrok in Shannan. However, it holds an unparalleled, sacred status, much like Mount Kailash, which is revered as the holiest of all sacred mountains. Its divinity and name make all other lakes bow in reverence. But why is this? Mansarovar holds many secrets you might not know…
A Lake Formed by 12 Years of Rice Washing Water
In the “An Overview of Lake Mansarovar” written by Quni Duoji, before Manasarovar existed, there was a king named Mubeng. On his journey to the jungle, he saw the suffering of people’s birth, aging, illness and death.
The king felt sympathetic and asked his teacher: “Should these sufferings be borne by a wise and virtuous ruler alone?” His teacher replied: “It cannot be borne by one person, and the suffering shoul be shared by all sentient beings.” The king then asked how he could alleviate people’s suffering. His teacher responded: “Only by giving alms.”
Thus, the king had many houses built and invited all the poor and suffering people to live there, providing them with food and shelter for twelve years.
During this time, the poor would pour their rice-washing water on the ground while cooking. Over time, this water accumulated and after twelve years, it formed a lake.
From its very inception, this holy lake represented compassion and generosity.
Multiple Legends and Different Meanings of Mansarovar Lake
Lake Mansarovar is revered by several religions, including Buddhism, Bon, Hinduism, and Jainism. Each religion has its own interpretation of the lake, with different symbolic meanings.
Bon Religion: The Palace of the Dragon King
In the teachings of Bon, Lake Mansarovar is said to be the palace of the Dragon King. In Bon, the term “dragon” (klu in Tibetan) does not refer to a specific animal, as in Chinese culture, where dragons are often depicted as scaled creatures with horns, claws, and the ability to fly, walk, and swim. The “dragon” in bon is a deity that can transform into various animals, including fish and snake.
The Bon religon classic “Hundred Thousand Dragon Sutra” describes the dragon as a human body with a head of various animals, such as a horse, lion, or bear. In many murals and thangkas, it is depicted as a mermaid-like figure, with the body of a human and the tail of a snake or fish, creating a beautiful image.
Buddhism: Queen Maya, Mother of the Buddha Once Bathed Here
It is said in Buddhist scriptures that the night before the Buddha’s birth, his mother, Queen Maya, dreamt that the gods sent her to Lake Mansarovar for bathing. The surrounding area was a paradise, filled with plants and herbs capable of curing all physical and mental diseases.
After bathing in the lake and cleansing herself, Queen Maya was ready to accept the Buddha’s pregnancy. At this time, the Buddha appeared in the direction of Mount Gangdise. He rode an elephant and turned into a beam of light to enter her womb.
This aligns with the belief that the surrounding area of Lake Manasarovar is home to various medicinal plants, and even the dried fish by the lake are good medicine for curing diseases.
Buddhists believe that bathing in the waters of Mansarovar can cleanse the “five poisons” (greed, hatred, ignorance, laziness, and jealousy) from people’s heart and remove the filth from people’s skin.
Drinking the water of this lake can eliminate illness and strengthen the body. Pilgrims who walk around the lake can accumulate immense merit. Many books and classics describe the water of Lake Mansarovar as pearls and drinking it can wash away the sins of multiple lifetimes.
Hinduism: Bathing and Drinking Mansarovar Water to Purify Sin
In the ancient Indian classics, it is recorded that anyone who touches the land of Manasarovar or bathes in its waves will enter the heaven of Great Brahma; anyone who drinks its water will ascend to the paradise of Shiva and be freed from the sins of a hundred reincarnations.
The reverence for Manasarovar is so great that even the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi, India’s famous leader, were scattered in its waters. Therefore, every summer, pilgrims from India and Nepal come here to bathe and seek spiritual merit. They also carry the holy water back home from thousands of miles away as a precious gift for their loved ones.
Jainism: The Place Where the Jain Teacher Attained Enlightenment
Jain followers believe that Lake Mansarovar is the place where their spiritual teacher, Mahavira, attained enlightenment, so we have to talk about the connection of Mount Kailash and Jainism.
In the first half of his life, Mahavira, before his renunciation, was a small king. In his later years, he led his 19 brothers to become monks and meditate on Mount Kailash, eventually achieving spiritual liberation. It can almost be said that Jainism originated from Mount Kailash.
To this day, Jain believers still worship Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar, as their most sacred mountain and lake. They believe that bathing in the lake can lead to liberation and achieve the ideal state of soul ascension.
The Renaming History of Mansarovar Lake
Many people don’t know that Manasarovar once had a different name. The current name, “Manasarovar” in Tibetan, means “Eternal Invincible Jade Lake.” In Tibet, early Bon believers called it as “Machu Tso”, named after the Dragon King “Machu Tso”.
The name change occurred in the 11th century after a religious war at the lake’s shore. The Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism defeated the Bon religion, and after their victory, the name “Machu Tso” was changed to “Mansarovar” to commemorate the victory of Buddhism.
No matter what its name is, the sacred status of the lake remains unshaken in the hearts of believers. Every year, pilgrims from India, Nepal, and beyond make the journey to the lake to perform rituals, do the kora, and bathe in its waters, considering it the greatest spiritual blessing of their lives.
In fact, the status of Mansarovar as the king of holy lakes is unquestionable even for ordinary tourists.
What Can I See Around the Lake?
While circumambulating the lake, you can not only enjoy the beautiful scenery, but also visit the eight monasteries and four major bathing gates surrounding the holy lake.
Eight Monasteries:
- East: Sewalong (Serelong) Monastery of the Drigung Kagyu Sect
- Southeast: Nêguo Monastery of the Sakya Sect
- South: Chugu Monastery of the Gelug Sect
- Southwest: Guochu Monastery of the Bhutan Kagyu Sect
- West: Jiwu Monastery
- Northwest: Kaji Monastery, based on a cave where 500 Arhats meditated
- North: Langna Monastery of the Bhutan Kagyu sect
- Northeast: Benri Monastery of the Gelug sect
Four Major Bathing Gates:
The sacred lake has four major bathing gates:
- East: Lotus Bathing Gate
- South: Sweet Bathing Gate
- West: Purification Bathing Gate
- North: Faith Bathing Gate
A Quick Guide for Circumambulation
It is a thousand-year-old tradition for Tibetans to circumambulate the lake during the Year of the Horse and Year of the Goat. It is said that completing the circuit can cleanse a lifetime of sins.
The route around the lake is approximately 90 kilometers, which typically takes around 4 days to complete on foot. Some pilgrims may shorten the journey depending on their pace.
There is no fixed starting point, as long as you complete the circuit in a clockwise direction. Due to accessibility, most pilgrims and tourists start from the Jiwu Monastery at the northwest corner of the lake.
The route, which is largely along the lake’s shore, passes through Hor Township in the north. It is suitable for cars in some parts, but the road includes sandy beaches, gravel, and marshland. You’d better bring your own food. There are temples along the way for accommodation, but the conditions are relatively simple.
The best time to visit Mansarover Lake are from April to October. In the rainy season, small rivers may pose additional challenges, and you can choose to stay at Jiwu Monastery for a few days to soak in the hot springs and enjoy the stunning lscenery of the holy lake and sacred mountain. And the number of pilgrims and travelers following Mansarovar Kora is not as many as those taking Kailash Parikrama. Tibettrip.org promise you a memorable trip to Mansarovar Lake!