The Kora around Manasarovar and Rakshas Tal

5th International Conference on the Phenomenon of the Holy Mt. Kailash
“Compilation of Traditional and New Aspects of Mt. Kailash and Surrounding Pilgrimage Sites”, University of Hamburg, March 25-27, 2022
Modern pilgrims are familiar only with the two sacred lakes in the Kailash
region, Manasarovar and Raksas Tal. At the same time, the Tibetan texts
make references to the four lakes that form part of a well-built system
associated with the Creation of the World. These lakes are Gunggyü Tsho,
La Ngak Tsho (Raksas Tal), Mapang Yumtsho (Manasarovar) and Kurgyal
Chungo Tsho, so called “Four Great Spontaneously Whirling Lakes”. This
report will provide information on each of these lakes and more detailed
data on the Kora around Manasarovar and Raksas Tal. In addition to
geographical data, we will discuss how Tibetans have been changing their
attitudes towards the lakes. In the days of Zhang Zhung, each lake was
inhabited by mighty creatures, Goddesses or Nagas, who helped people in
different ways. For example, the king and queen of the Nagas lived in Lake
Manasarovar and helped people in their spiritual development. And Lake
Raksas Tal was the center of religious worship to Drablai Gyalmo, the
mighty female deity in Zhang Zhung. Visiting her abode was considered as
a great blessing, and the conception of demonic nature of this lake
appeared long after it. We will provide information on ancient
archaeological sites, retreat caves, monasteries, megalithic holy places,
and identification of sacred places mentioned in ancient texts with their
actual locations.