Thursday, January 29, 2015

Lake Manasarovar - Tibet

Remember that my friend Vitória sent a portuguese card and also a card from Tibet just a few days before Christmas? The portuguese card was posted a few weeks ago and here it is the card from Tibet. The card is showing the sacred lake of Manasarovar with the abode of Lord Shiva, Mt. Kailash, in the background. 

Lake Manasarovar situated about 2000 kms from Lhasa is world’s highest freshwater lake.
The lake is located at the southern foot of Mount Kailash, stretching up to 55miles (88kms) in perimeter it goes 330 feet deep and about 120 sq mi of total area. Lake Manasarovar has exceptional beauty that varies from crystal clear blue water near the shores and a deep emerald green colour at the center. There are a few monasteries on the shore of the lake and most striking of all is the ancient Chiu Gompa Monastery, which has been built right onto a steep hill.   

© Himalayan MapHouse (P) Ldt * Photo: Kami Tshering Sherpa
This holy lake is one of the important pilgrimages for Hindus and Buddhists. It attracts thousands of tourists and religious people towards itself every year from various parts of the world, but mainly from India, Tibet and its neighboring countries. The best to visit the lake is during springs as it is during this time the lake melts and allows people to bathe in its holy water. As believed by bathing and drinking this water one becomes fortunate and clears all his sins. Many travel agencies have annual pilgrimage group tours to this place and are often known as “Manasarovar Yatra”.    
As per the Hindu mythology it is believed, Lake Manasarovar was formed by Lord Brahma, who is the creator god. He found it to be an appropriate place for religious rituals. Hid 12 sons, who were also holy men performed rituals and austerities on the dry land at the site. And to give them a more appropriate place to earn value, Lord Brahma created a wonderful lake which today is known as - Lake Manasarovar. And as per Buddhist religion, theyrelate Manasarovar with Anotatta Lake. It is said that Lord Buddha was conceived at this very lake, as stated in the legends Lord Buddha's mother was brought on the lake by the gods and as she bathed in the sacred waters of Manasarovar her body was purified. Later she saw a white elephant running to her from Mount Kailash and Lord Buddha entered her womb. - in: http://www.kailash-yatra.org/about-mansarovar-lake.html

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