Sat, May 23rd, 2015 New Delhi Times
Manasarovar is a fresh water lake situated in Burang, western Tibet around 940 kilometres from Lhasa ensconced in Himalayas at 4,590 metres above mean sea level. This is a relatively high elevation for a large freshwater lake in Tibet Plateau as most of the lakes of the region are saline. The Lake is round- shaped with 320 square kilometres surface area; circumference running to 88 kilometres, depth reaching 300 ft. It used to be a part of the Sutlej River basin—the easternmost large tributary of the Indus—but disconnected now due to tectonic shift. This is the place where Sutlej, Brahmaputra, Indus, and Karnali rivers have their headwaters. The holy lake is also known as Mapam Yumco to locals. To the west of Manasarovar is another lake Rakshadal —locally known as La Ang Kuo — and both are connected by natural Ganga Chhu channel. Manasarovar overflows into Rakshastal which is a salt water endorheic lake. The word ‘Manasarovara’, in Sanskrit language, is a combination of two words— Manas (mind) and Sarovara (lake) implying mind lake. The legend has it that the Lake was created first in the mind of the Lord Brahma before its manifestation on Earth.
Lake Manasarovar is an important place of pilgrimage for Tibetan Buddhists, Hindus, Jains and Bonpas —the native pre-Buddhist religion of Tibet. The holy lake, Hindu scriptures reveal, is purity personified as devotees who bathe or drink water from the lake are believed to be cleansed of all the sins committed over even a hundred life times and go to the Abode of Lord Shiva after death. The lake, in Hindu religious belief, is supposed to be the summer abode of the Hamsa goose considered to be an important sacred element in the symbology of the subcontinent, representing wisdom and beauty. Kora- a circumambulation of the lake (88 kilometres)- is prescribed by some religion for salvation and one Kora takes about 4-5 days Buddhists associate the lake with the legendary Anavatapta lake where Queen Maya is believed to have conceived Buddha. The lake has a few monasteries on its shores; ancient Chiu Gompa Monastery built on a steep hill being the most notable. It looks like being carved right out of the rock. Lord Buddha is believed to have stayed and meditated near this lake on several occasions. The Lake is also the subject of the meditative Tibetan tradition, ‘The Jewel of Tibet’.
Mount Kailash located to the North-North West of Manasarovar is considered to be the center of the universe and in combination with Manasarovar constitute a pilgrimage destination for Buddhist, Hindus and Bonpas who worship the sacred mountain for various reasons ,hence the often repeated phrase ‘Kailash Manasarovar Yatra’ The place is replete with legends most of them pertaining to Buddhist religion. Saga Dawai is a great Buddhist festival observed to commemorate Shakyamuni Buddha’s Enlightenment also for releasing living things as monks and pilgrims flock in thousands to the south face of Mount Kailash. Legend has it that Buddha was born, became a Buddha and even died on the 15th day of lunar month. Hindus consider the holy mountain as tenth throne of Lord Shiva while Buddhists deem it as precious jewel of snow and BonPo— the ancient religion of Tibet predating Buddism— regard it as the nine -story Swastika mount which lead to heaven.
The pilgrims walk and prostrate along the path as Hindus and Buddhists believe that circumambulation of Kailash and Astapada on the 52 km stretch cleanses one of his sins. Jains revere Kailash- Manasarovar as Rishabananda—the first Tirthankara and founder of Jain faith— attained spiritual liberation at Kailash heights. Lake Manasarovar’s proximity to the sources of four of the greatest rivers of Asia, namely the Brahmaputra, Karnali, Indus and Sutlej makes the holy lake an axial point which the pilgrims from India, Nepal, Tibet and neighbouring countries have thronged to for thousands of years. Kailash Manasarovar belt is a great pilgrimage centre, attracting old faithful of all religions be it Buddhists, Hindus, Bonpas. It is also frequented by non believers, atheists and nature lovers. Now it is time that Manasarovar enters the manas (mind, imagination) of the youth of India and dwells there permanently. This holy place our past generations longed to visit is under Chinese occupation for over five decades now. Forget politics a, youth should be emotionally and culturally integrated with this place. Can the place be reclaimed culturally by the youth? Such is the attraction of this idyllic Himalayan abode that in social media some say they ‘don’t want to die before visiting this place’ whereas others reiterate ‘surely love to do this once in my life time’. Those who have visited the place claim that above statements are, at their best, understatements.
Get enrolled for a visit to Manasarovar this summer. Visit the place which is simply out of this world for its sheer natural beauty. If you are religious, better. Following the Chinese Invasion of Tibet, the region was closed to foreign pilgrims between 1959 and 1980. After the 1980s it has again become a part of the Indian pilgrim trail. Pilgrimage tours are organized regularly, especially from India, the most famous of which is the Kailash Manas Sarovar Yatra which takes place every year. Traditionally Indian pilgrims travelled to these two holy places through Uttarakhand route which used to be arduous and 22 day long. Recent arrangement with China has opened up the route through Nepal which will be of 12 days duration and this year will be the first year of the new route. There are various packages available by helicopter service ranging from to seven to fifteen days. I wish could visit Manasarovar. But alas, with arthritic knee in advancing age I cannot do Kara (circumambulation) at this stage of life. Would you like to repent 20-30 years down the line, the way I do now. I hope none of you does so. Hence the urgency. Hey, whom are you waiting for? Just get up and get going. Best of journey.