At the height of 4,500 meters above the sea level on the Tibetan Plateau and under the shadow of Mount Kailash, two sacred lakes with dual nature, Mansarovar Lake and Rakshas Tal lie next to each other. The weird thing is despite being separated by a small piece of land only four kilometers wide, they possess completely opposite nature which sets them apart.
A lot of pilgrims think about Mansarovar and Rakshal Tal in very different ways. One lake is thought of as an auspicious and highly spiritual epicenter while another one is given the name of “lake of demons” which gives inauspicious and negative aura to the visitors.
Imagine yourself standing on that small piece of land that separates these two lakes. To your east you’ll see the mesmerizing look of lake Mansarovar with a turquoise color view of crystal clear freshwater. The lake seems fresh and radiates when the sun shines down on it.
Now to the west, you’ll see a crescent moon shaped ,Rakshas Tal with saltwater , deep blue in color and with no trace of aquatic plants or animals within it. The wind blows across it which makes the lake a scary place where people believe bad things can happen.
These two lakes represent the truth of life with their duality of creation and karma. As per Hindu and Buddhist Stories, these lakes are called the sun and moon lakes of Mount Kailash. Lake Manasarovar/Mansarovar and Rakshas Tal are interesting lakes that can help us a lot about the world and ourselves. For pilgrims, trekkers, and spiritual seekers, their travels with Kailash Trip Planner will find this lake to be a photo-perfect spot with great symbolism to ponder. Read the complete-guide before planning your journey.
The Cosmic Duality: Why two opposite lakes sit next to each other
Mansarovar and Rakshas Tal are separated by a thin land of only four kilometers wide and are close to each other. Both being in the area of Tibetan Plateau, and receiving water from the same glaciers of Himalayan mountains , they are different from each other. Different analogies have been set up by the researchers and the visitors from different perspectives of scientific evidence, spiritual philosophy and such.
Sun & Moon Theory
According to the Tibetan and vedic scriptures, these two lakes are seen as the sun and moon lakes of Mount Kailash. Mansarovar lake being almost perfectly circular represents the sun. It is seen as the source of energy and enlightenment similar to the Sun. On the opposite, Rakshas Tal is shaped like a crescent moon which gives the information that everything is changing and isn’t complete.
There is not just the dissimilarity in shape,but also on how they provide two different kinds of energy.Lake Mansarovar has a happy energy,like the Sun meanwhile Rakshas Tal has a quiet energy like the moon.
The Science:Why is Rakshas Tal Salty while Mansarovar remains Fresh?
When looking at Lake Mansarovar and Rakshas Tal from a scientific point of view, geologists and hydrologists find out an interesting pattern of them working together. The glaciers in the mountains melt and flow into Lake Mansarovar which is fresh and clean. When the water level in lake Mansarovar gets too high , it flows into a stream Ganga Chhu Channel and this stream mixes directly into the Rakshas Tal.
Rakshas Tal is different, it doesn’t have a river that flows out of it . So naturally, the water within it gets salty and dirty as the only way it can get out is evaporation. Over time, this has made the water not suitable for the aquatic creatures like rare plants and fishes to live in.
Spiritual Philosophy: Why Duality Belongs at Kailash
Mount Kailash is the unmoving divine axis representing the pure spiritual consciousness while Mansarovar represents Consciousness free from Ego and Rakshas Tal represents the material world and human desires.
Having these two lakes under the shadow of Mount Kailash, teaches us a lesson that to be spiritually free, we don’t need to deny our desires and weaknesses, we have to rise above them. Rakshas Tal reminds us of where we come from and Lake Mansarovar shows us what we can become. Lake Mansarovar and Rakshas Tal are, like two sides of the coin. They are both important. We can learn from both of them.
Lake Mansarovar: The Lake Born From the Mind Of Brahma
Mansarovar is not only known for its beautiful scenery but also for its high cosmic energy. It is considered to be one of the holiest lakes in Hinduism, Buddhism and Bosnism. As per the great books like Srimad Bhagavat Katha and Skanda Puran , Brahma , the lord of creation thought about this lake before creating it. He wanted to make a place for his sons, saptarishi where they can cleanse themselves and medidate.Simply, Mansarovar is created with two words: Mana and Sarovar. ‘Mana’ means mind consciousness and ‘Sarovar’ means lake. That is how Mansarovar is named.
The Spiritual Significance Of Mansarovar
Thousands of pilgrims and trekkers go through the long and physically exhausting journey of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Kerung or Simikot-Hilsa Helicopter route across the Tibetan Plateau , which exceeds the high altitude of 4,500 meters and above to experience the beautiful sight of these two majestic lakes. Some of the tour packages include Kailash Mansarovar Overland Tour, where you’ll feel spiritually connected to the abode of Lord Shiva while enjoying the beautiful scenery.
The main reasons why pilgrims love to visit these lakes are mentioned below:
Karmic Cleansing- There is a popular myth that if we wash ourselves in the lake or drink some water from the holy Mansarovar Lake, our bad past deeds will be erased. So, Karmic Cleansing is a major reason for a lot of pilgrims to visit Mount Kailash and Mansarovar Lake as well. It is believed to cleanse your Karmic bond you’ve carried along with from your past life.
Moksha- A lot of spiritual personalities and visitors believe that a single visit to the holy Kailash Mansarovar can make you free from the continuously repeated cycle of life and death. That means you’ll achieve ultimate salvation from the material world and human desires.
Mapam Yumtso Ritual(Kora)- It is a place for Tibetan Buddhists, where they celebrate the victory of good over bad. It is believed that Queen Maya was brought by the celestial beings on this lake to wash herself,before she had Gautam Buddha. It is done by walking in a clockwise direction,chanting the mantra “ Om Mani Padme Hum” with the help of beads and spinning wheels. Learn why Mansarovar Lake stands out as the top pilgrimage site across 4 different religions. Different kinds of Kora that are performed on Kailash Mansarovar are:
Outer Kora- It is mostly taken by the pilgrims and visitors who visit Mount Kailash and Mansarovar for the first time. The kora is followed by a 52 km route.
Inner Kora- The inner kora is usually shorter,usually 30-34 km, but far more dangerous than the outer kora. It includes the difficult routes like Nandi Parvat and Asthapath which require high mountaineering skills.
Mansarovar Kora- It can be done on foot which takes 4-5 days or either by vehicles(4-5 hours).It is a long 110 km parikrama.
Brahma Muhrat- Brahma Muhrat is the time between 3 A.M. to 6 A.M. This is the best time to visit the holy Mansarovar lake. It is also called “the hour of the creator”. At that time, the air is still and one can get connected to the divine at a closest level. Traditionally and even with scientific evidence, brahma muhrat is widely preferred for performing morning exercises, yogas and asana.
Many pilgrims have reported seeing glowing lights around the lake at this time. Many thought they may be the spirits that came to offer their prayer and devotion to the holy lake.
Traveler’s Note: To preserve the delicate high altitude ecosystem and respect local traditions, direct swimming into the lake is restricted. Modern pilgrims perform their Snan using brass buckets allowing them to bless themselves without disturbing the lake's environment.
Rakshas Tal: The lake of Ravana and Shadow Energy
The Rakshas Tal, also known as the lake of demons or dark lake of spirit or ghost lake, is just 4 km away from Kailash Mansarovar on the west side. In Tibet, unlike Mansarovar Lake, it possesses a completely opposite nature both in terms of spiritual significance and from biological aspects as well. The Rakshas Tal is crescent moon shaped,with a dark blue colored appearance which may seem scary for quite a lot of pilgrims. Many visitors believe that going near the lake can make something inauspicious happen.
Contrary to the Mansarovar Lake, this lake is unable to provide the natural habitat to wide varieties of aquatic plants and animals.Since there is no river to come out of it, the lake’s water is salty , dark and dirty.
Mythology & Legends
There is a famous legend that Ravana, the King of Lanka and a great Shiva devotee decided to go to Mount Kailash with the intention of gaining immense powers, immortality and blessings from his deity,Lord Shiva.While he was on his way to Kailash, he sat beside the side of Rakshas Tal, he continued his penance for 10 total days. Each day along with yagya and other rituals, he offered one of his heads each day to please the almighty.
On the tenth day of the penance , when he was about to sacrifice his tenth head, Lord Shiv appeared in front of him and gave him boon and blessings. Later, this lake is believed by people to carry the negative tamasic energy as it represents the aggression, material desires and ego of Ravana, the ten headed King of Lanka. Pilgrims neither bathe, swim nor perform any rituals in Rakshas Tal since it is believed to contain high demonic energy.
Many pilgrims have trusted Kailash Trip Planner to experience their unforgettable journey.Here’s what-our-pilgrims-think.
“ While I was standing by the Rakshas Tal, I sensed negative energy around me, I felt the weight of my own ego, aggression and bad traits I had” - Alina Pokharel.
“The water was dark blue, dirty and the wind was blowing like Ravana is still meditating there.Not a single bird or plant was near the lake. My guide told me not to touch the water unless I wanted bad luck. It was a scary experience.” - Prajol Ghimire
Why does no one touch or swim in Rakshas Tal?
You might be having multiple doubts about Mansarovar lake.Many questions might have arisen like Can I swim in Rakshas Tal? Can I touch the water? What if I stepped into the lake accidentally?
The answer is subjective. Try not to step, bathe or swim into Rakshas Tal. The guide suggests not to touch the water from a spiritual perspective since Rakshas Tal is supposed to carry heavy tamasic energy within it.
The Balance of Light & darkness in Eastern Philosophy
Usually in western philosophy, light and dark are considered a never ending moral battleground. The light must win over the darkness. But when you’re in Mount Kailash territory, standing in between the Manasarovar and Rakshas Tal, you’ll perceive things in a completely different way.
In eastern philosophy, across hindu ,buddhism and taoism culture, light and dark are two inseparable concepts. Rather than being the conflicting terms, they're two sides of the same coin. One’s significance is not verified without the existence of another. Under the shadow of Mount Kailash with Gunatita property, Lake Mansarovar and Rakshas Tal represents the Yang and Yin nature, sattva and tamas gun respectively. The yin means something that is dark,scary while Yang is warm, bright and surreal.
Rakshas Tal is equally significant to the pilgrims and visitors who seek for ultimate blessings and guidance of the almighty.Rakshas Tal/Lhanag Tso , which is widely known as the mysterious twin of Mansarovar is created as the result of extreme devotion of Ravana, whose penance was accepted not because of the possibility of being threat to the universe but because of how great his devotion and his love for his deity(aradhya). This gives a lesson that the shadow side only becomes destructive only when it is bound by ego.
Spiritual Ritual at Mansarovar Lake: Snan Puja & Parikrama
Mansarovar Lake is not only seen as a place with beautiful natural scenery but also as a holy pilgrimage site where every year, thousands of pilgrims perform varieties of puja, hawan and vedic rituals. The major spiritual rituals performed at Mansarovar Lake are:
- Snan puja
- Parikrama
- Hawan kunda
Purification and Water Rituals
Holy Dips: Pilgrims submerge themselves in the holy water of the lake ,usually 3 times. They believe it will wash away their sins and awful past karmic deeds.
Pitri Arpan: This means giving offerings to the deceased ancestors such as food ,clothes and so on. It is believed that pitri arpan puja is done to pray for the liberation(moksha) of their spirits.
Prayers and Fire Ceremonies
Hawan: It is a kind of puja in which different items like ghee, flowers and grains are offered to the fire while devotionally chanting the mantra like “om namaha shivaya” and many more.
Rudrabhishek: It means bathing the oval shaped, religious stone which is seen as a symbol of Lord Shiva using panchamrit(milk,ghee,sugar,curd,etc)
Mantra Chanting & Meditation
Many people prefer mantra chanting and doing meditations near the Kailash Mansarovar Lake.
The Best Time to Visit Mansarovar & RakshasTal
Many pilgrims feel confused about when to actually start the trip. The best time to undertake the Kailash Mansarovar and Rakshas Tal yatra is during the months of May, June, September and October. These months offer the most favourable weather conditions for both the overland travel and Kailash Parikrama as well.
The skies are clear, road situations are better and the beautiful surrounding view of the mountains and Tibetan landscapes add more benefit in the journey. Due to long drives from Kathmandu to Tibet, high altitudes and multiple trekking sections, stable weather plays a vital role in ensuring a smooth and hassle free journey.
Pilgrims who want to experience a full spiritual and vibrant atmosphere may choose to travel during the time of Saga Dawa, one of the important Buddhist festivals. During this time, the atmosphere becomes much more lively with pilgrims and the spiritual activities, which offer a unique dimension to the journey.
Beyond Light & Shadow: What the lakes teach us about wholeness
Mansarovar is clear and pure, representing light and purity. Meanwhile, Rakshas Tal represents shadow and darkness. These two lakes resemble the truth of life, Creation and Karma. They show that bad or good, negative or positive, they exist next to each other. What we need to do in life is stay focused and rise above all ups and downs and do not let our ambition be driven away with ego and pride.
When you visit Lake Mansarovar and Rakshas Tal you see everything that makes us human. You see the part of us that wants to achieve things and the part of us that wants to be free and at peace. People travel to the Kailash region for reasons. Some people go there because they want to be people and find peace at Lake Mansarovar and Rakshas Tal.
Some people go there because they love learning about stories and myths like Lake Mansarovar and Rakshas Tal. Some people go there because they want to see one of the most amazing places on earth: Lake Mansarovar and Rakshas Tal. No matter why you go on the trip, Lake Mansarovar and Rakshas Tal stay with you forever .
Frequently Asked Questions
1.What do Lake Mansarovar and Rakshas Tal mean in stories about gods and goddesses?
Lake Mansarovar and Rakshas Tal are like two sides of a coin. Lake Mansarovar is like a symbol of purity and wisdom. It is said that Lord Brahma created Lake Mansarovar in his mind. On the other hand , Rakshas Tal is like a symbol of darkness and ego. It is said that King Ravana used to pray to Lord Shiva near this lake.
2. How can Lake Mansarovar have water when Rakshas Tal has salty water even though they are really close to each other?
The reason for this is that Lake Mansarovar gets water from the glaciers on Mount Kailash and it also has rivers that flow out of it. Rakshas Tal on the other hand does not have any rivers that flow out of it so the water in it becomes salty and not good for fish or other living things.
3. Do Lake Mansarovar and Rakshas Tal ever connect with each other?
Yes, Lake Mansarovar and Rakshas Tal are connected by a river called the Ganga Chhu. When there is a lot of snow melting and Lake Mansarovar has much water the extra water flows into Rakshas Tal. This is like a symbol of things flowing into our lives and making us pure.
4. Can people take a bath or dip in Lake Mansarovar?
No people are not allowed to take a bath or dip in Lake Mansarovar because it can harm the environment. Instead people take some water from the lake. Use it to clean themselves in special tents near the lake.
5. Why do people not take a bath? Drink water from Rakshas Tal?
People do not take a bath. Drink water from Rakshas Tal because it is said to have bad energy. They just look at the lake from a distance. Think about what it means. They do not perform any rituals near the lake.
6. What papers do people need to visit Lake Mansarovar and Rakshas Tal?
People need to get four papers to visit Lake Mansarovar and Rakshas Tal. These papers are:
- Chinese Group Visa
- Tibet Travel Permit
- Aliens Travel Permit
- Military Permit
They also need to travel with a registered tour operator.
7. When is the best time to visit Lake Mansarovar and Mount Kailash?
The best time to visit Lake Mansarovar and Mount Kailash is from May to September. The weather is nice and clear in May and June in July and August and the air is very clear in September.
Plan your Trip with Kailash Trip Planner
Earlier trek preparation, with proper documentation, tibet permit helps, fitness requirement, proper accommodation and experienced sherpa guides with customized acclimation schedules non negotiable factors to make your journey memorable, smoother and hassle free. To provide such experience to the pilgrims and trek lovers, Kailash Trip planner offers a variety of Mansarovar Trip packages.
No matter what you prefer, a journey with an overland route via Kerung/Kyirong or a quick aerial route by helicopter via the Simikot route, our team can guide you throughout your journey. Go through our official website and explore the popular and most loved Kailash Mansarovar Tour Packages in 2026.