Legends about Lake Manasarovar

The period from June to September in each year is the best time to worship holy mountain and holy lake for believers of Buddhism, Bon Religion and Hindusim. These believers of Buddhism and Bon Religion think that the Lake Manasarovar is the habitat of Dragon King. Where there is a lake, there is Dragon King. The holy lake is a sacred place. It is recorded in Buddhist ancient books that the Lake Manasarovar is located at the center of Zhanbuzhou, and it was named "Anou Dachi".

The earliest name of Lake Manasarovar is Mazui. There is an ancient legend related with the named of Lake Manasarovar. And this legend is widely spread in the area of Lake Manasarovar.

Legends about Lake Manasarovar

According to legend, there was a small kingdom near to Lake Manasarovar. The king Nubang always loved and respected his liege subjects. One day, the king went out for a secret visit. After visited several villages, he found that people were suffering from birth, old and disease. After went back to palace, he consulted eminent monk that why people should suffer these hardship. The eminent monk said that it is natural law which people can not avoid. The king asked again that how to avoid these hardship. The eminent monk said that people should accumulate merits and succor the poor. The king was suddenly enlightened after heard the explanation of eminent monk. Later, he built giant room to provide people clothes and money and cook porridge for people. This action lasted for twelve years. Since the time of this philanthropic act lasted for a long time, and the rice-water was put at lower place, a big lake formed there r twelve years later. It is said that white vapor will rise up from the lake surface when just pour rice-water in lake. After cooled, the water became extremely limpid. The earliest name of holy lake is "Mazui" which means cool lake.

In legends, the Majia Zanpo, Langqin Zanpo, Danque Zanpo and Sange Zanpo originated from the rice-water. It is said that the water in holy lake gathered eight kinds of merits, and it becomes sweet, cool, soft and clear holy water with many functions.

Water is closely related with life. The pure water in Lake Manasarovar brought up people on this land and bred distinctive culture and religion.

Based on legends, there were many eminent monks in Tibet ever practiced there, such as Nari Qiongba in Bon Religion, Padmasambhava, Milarepa and Attisha in Buddhism. These eminent monks ever blessed for it which made Lake Manasarovar more sacred in Tibetans' hearts.

The believers of Hindusim also regard Lake Manasarovar as holy lake. They also regard Lake Manasarovar as the habitat of Swan King in legends. Believers of Hindusim believe in that people who ever had bath in the lake can go into paradise after death.

Both believers of Buddhism and Hindusim regard it as their sacred wish that having a bath in Lake Manasarovar. The believers of Hindusim must have bath in Lake Manasarovar before going to visit Mt. Kailash.