The Mansarovar Lake

The Vedas speak of Meru or Sumeru as being at the center of the universe, which is perhaps symbolized by the Holy Mount Kailash, the abode of Gods. And, according to the Skand Purana, "Day and night in the service of Kailash Parbat is the lake Mansarovar" which is perhaps the Ksheer Sagar that the Siva Purana refers to. The importance and significance of circumam-bulation of these hallowed places can well be imagined.

Circumambulation of Mansarovar is regarded as a holy and religious act by Hindus, Jains and Tibetans alike. The Zaidi camp on the west shore is the starting point. There is a bus route from here up to Huore, about 30 km to the north. The first night is spent here. From Huore, one gets a magnificent view of the Gurla Mandhata mountain range on the south, beyond a small lake and the Mansarovar waters.

The next day’s trek is of about 40 km from the north to the south of the lake along the eastern shore. The batch leaves 7 – 7.30 a.m. when it is still dark. Dawn occurs after an hour, and the sunrise is spectacular. There are several streams and two major rivers to be crossed. The first one, before the Seralung monastery, has a temporary bridge. It takes about three hours to reach the Seralung monastery at the north-east corner of Mansarovar.

The trek from here on is mostly along the lakeshore. There are gentle sand hills on the left, rising up to 50 feet from the water level. The view of the lake is spectacular. Beyond the waters, in the north-west and northern directions, Mount Kailash and its ranges are visible on a clear day and on the southern side Mount Gurla Mandhata and its ranges. After about another three hours of trekking, the next major river, Tage, is reached. There is no bridge across it, nor is it easily negotiable. It is crossed on pony back.

(To be continued in February, 2006 issue)

© "Tattvaloka" (May, 2000) published by Sri Abhinava Vidyatheertha Mahaswamigal Education Trust, Abhinav Centre, # 4 (Old # 19), Co-operative Colony, Chennai 600 018. Website: www.tattvaloka.com. Reprinted with permission.

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