Lake Rakshastal

Lake Rakshastal (Tibetan: ལག་ངར་མཚོ ; Chinese: 拉昂错) is a lake in Tibet Autonomous Region, China, lying just west of Lake Manasarovar and south of Mount Kailash.[1] The Sutlej River (also known by the Tibetan name Langqen Zangbo in this area) originates at Rakshastal's northwestern tip. Despite its close proximity to Lake Manasarovar (about 3.7 kilometres or 2.3 miles), Lake Rakshastal does not share the historic religious significance of its eastern neighbor.

Lake Rakshastal
View South from Rakshas Tal Lake (2006)
Lake Rakshastal
LocationTibet Autonomous Region, China
Coordinates30.65°N 81.25°E / 30.65; 81.25
Lagngar Co
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese拉昂錯
Simplified Chinese拉昂错
Alternative Chinese name
Traditional Chinese蘭嘎錯
Simplified Chinese兰嘎错
Tibetan name
Tibetanལག་ངར་མཚོ

Etymology

The name of the lake literally means "lake of the demon" in Sanskrit. It is also known as Ravan Tal, as it is considered to be the place of severe penance by Ravan, the demon-like King of Lanka in Hindu theology.[2]

In Buddhism, Lake Manasarovar, which is round like the sun, and Rakshastal, shaped as a crescent, are respectively regarded as "brightness" and "darkness". Rakshastal is a saline lake. There is a short river named Ganga Chhu, which connects Lake Manasarovar with Rakshastal, believed to be created by rishis to add pure water from Manasarovar.

There are four islands in Rakshastal, named Topserma (Dose), Dola (the two biggest), Lachato (Nadzhado), and Dosharba.[3] The islands are used by local people as winter pastures for their yaks.

In the Tibetan language, the lake is known as Lagngar Cho or Lhanag Tso, which means "the dark lake of poison".

Religious significance

According to Hindu scriptures, Rakshastal was created by Ravana for the express purpose of garnering superpowers through acts of devotion and meditation to the god, Shiva, who resided on Mount Kailash. It was upon the banks of a special island in this lake that he would make a daily offering with one of his ten heads as a sacrifice to please Shiva. Finally, on the tenth day, Shiva was moved enough by his devotion to grant Ravana his wish to obtain superpowers.

As there are no plants or wildlife around the lake, its lifeless surroundings caused the Tibetans to refer it as "the Ghost Lake". Visitors who approach the lake must be respectful to avoid inauspicious mishaps.[4]

Geography

Rakshastal covers a total area of 250 square kilometres (97 sq mi), at an altitude of 4,575 metres (15,010 ft). Though absent of nearby grasslands, the white cobbles, the hills and the island colored with dark red, and the deep blue lake water present another distinctive picture absent from many of the places more frequented by visitors.

Climate

See also

References
  1. Taruna Vijaya (2001). Kailash Manasarovar, an odyssey in Tibet. Ritwik Prakashan. p. 58. Retrieved 2012-07-24.
  2. Pradeep Chamaria (1996). Kailash Manasarovar on the Rugged Road to Revelation. Abhinav Publications. p. 67. ISBN 978-81-7017-336-6. Retrieved 2012-07-24.
  3. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-11-05. Retrieved 2010-10-11.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. Lhanag Tso(The Ghost Lake), Ngari Tourist Sights, Tibet Travel.Info
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