Rakshastal: The Lake of Demons Near Mount Kailash

Mansarovar Lake in the Kailash yatra is what everybody talks about. Mansarovar is called the lake of sacred water, and everybody visits it as a pilgrim. But there is another lake on the left of it. The Rakshastal is not as famous as the Mansarovar lake, but still a prominent place to visit during your Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.

Rakshastal is also called Ravana Tal, or even some say it is the Dark Twin of Lake Mansarovar. Tibetans call it Lagngar Cho, which translates to “Dark Lake” or “Lake of poison”. Yeah, scary, right? Why is it called Lake of Poison? Isn’t it safe? Or the water does not taste sweet? The Rakshastal Lake, the Lake of Demons, is situated at an altitude of 4,575m above sea level. Another lake, Mansarovar Lake, is situated at a height of 4,690 m situated just 3 km apart, but there is a vast difference.

Though so close, why are there so many differences? To our surprise, a small stream Ganga Chhu, connects them, but barely, the water gets mixed. Let’s discover the differences between them and explore other aspects of the Ghost Lake of Tibet.

Names and Meanings

The literal meaning of Rakshas is demon, as per the Hindu mythology. In Sanskrit, the Rakshyas Tal translates to “Lake of Demons”. Ravan was a 10-headed demon as described in the Ramayana. He was the king of Lanka, the city of gold. Myth says that Ravan once meditated there to impress lores shiva. He was about to uplift Mount Kailash with his pinky finger. But lord shiva got fierce and punished him by pressing back Mount Kailash. This broke his finger, and he cried with such a loud voice. The lake has witnessed the dark energy of Ravan. Myths or truths? Who knows.

The water of the lake is so dead that no organism can survive in it. The water is too salty. No vegetation is found around. So it is called the Dark Lake of Poison. There are only small islands, rocks, and salt mines found around. Weird, but that’s the fact.

On one island, maybe Ravana did rituals there. Some islands are used by locals for yak grazing in winter. Weird mix… sacred and ominous at the same time. On the other hand, Lake Mansarovar is fresh freshwater lake. It is round, smooth, and peaceful. Mansarovar is the symbol of purity and spiritual liberation. This is why Rakshya’s Taal is also known as the Dark Twin of Lake Mansarovar.

Legends, Myths, and Stories

King Ravan, when meditating and trying to impress Lord Shiva, offered his head each day. Legends say that the Rakshastal lake was formed from his tears. He did the meditation on one of the islands in Rakshyas Taal. People consider it a source of dark energy. One is pure, another is dark. One creates spiritual vibes, and the other enumerates negative vibes. The presence of these two lakes in the abode of Mount Kailash represents balance. This symbolizes the duality between the good and evil forces of nature. Mansarovar and Rakshastal are these two sides.

Some local Tibetans say that they hear some strange sounds around the Rakshya Lake and have noticed shadows around the lake. Visitors are not advised to visit around the lake at night.

Geography and Weird Nature

At an altitude of 4,575 m, the air is thin, making it difficult to breathe. With an average area of 250 square meters and a crescent irregular shape, the lake holds saline water.

The Rakshastal is a type of Endorheic lake, meaning there is no way to drain out the water. Stagnant water accumulates a lot of salt and becomes impossible for fish. Hardly any algae or microbes are found in the water. Some birds, like Bar-headed geese, brown-headed gulls, are seen migrating to the islands over it. Yak graze around the pasture, but humans do not dare touch the water. 

Spiritual Significance

For Hindus, it is a dark site as it is related to Ravan. For Buddhists, it is a balance between the good and bad energy, the birth and death, also known as Yin-Yang.

For the Bon followers, Mount Kailash, Mansarovar, and Rakshyas Taal are included during their circumambulation, often identifying signs of the Swastika on the mountainside, such as the left-facing swastika in winter. Together, the two lakes, Mansarovar and Rakshastal, teach a lesson of life. It says that darkness is necessary to observe the brightness of light. It says that birth and death are cycles of life. 

Some Unique Features of Rakshyas Taal

• The lake is stagnant, meaning there is no outflow for the water to flow.
• The continuous evaporation of the water accumulates more concentrated salt.
• No fish or aquatic ecosystem exists
• There is a narrow stream connecting the Mansarovar and the Rakshyas lake, but the water hardly mixes.
• The two lakes are 3-3.5 km apart from each other.
• The lake is associated with dark energy 
• It is said that the lake is made from the tears of Lankesh Ravan
• The lake is of irregular crescent shape.
• A strong wind is felt.
• The Eerie nature of the lake makes it less visited.

Basics of Visiting Rakshas Tal

What is the Best Time?

No one is advised to visit Rakshastal. But, as the lake lies on the way to the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, some visitors are urged to visit the lake. The best season for the trip is from May to September. This is the time with a pleasant environment and open sky for perfect views of Mount Kailash and the surrounding peaks.

Saga Dawa 

Saga Dawa is an important festival for Buddhists, which generally falls in May or June. It is a colorful ritual celebrated with prayers and blessings. The Tibetan traditions and culture are reflected during this festival. The tradition of this one-month-long festival is to celebrate the birth, enlightenment, and mahaparinirvana of Gautam Buddha. Saga Dawa is not celebrated in Rakshastal, but it comes under the great Kailash Mansarovar Yatra trail.

Permits and Visa

As said earlier, the Rakshastal comes as a part of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra. All you need is the Mount Kailash Travel Permits. 

Tibet Travel Permit, Aliens Travel Permit, and sometimes Military Permit are demanded along with a group visa. Visitors must apply for a group visa to enter the territory of Mount Kailash Mansarovar.

Lake Rakshasta, the dark twin of Lake Mansarovar. Same sky above them, but they don’t feel the same at all. One sweet, one bitter, one calm like prayer, another wild like a storm. It’s strange how close they sit, only a thin line, a stream between them. It’s like good and bad emotions inside a person. Both needed and both existed.

I stood there while the wind hit my face, eyes burning from the cold. felt quiet. uneasy. But also, kind of weird but peaceful. Lake Mansarovar and Rakshastal together are like two faces of the same soul. Maybe that’s the lesson I learnt. I learned not to fear the dark. I also think that this is not about Rakshastal vs Lake Mansarovar. This is not a battle but a reflection. Both sacred, both powerful. One gives calmness, the other gives strength. And maybe in the silence of that salt water, balance nature.

Final Thoughts

The twin lakes of Kailash Yatra, Rakshastal and Mansarovar, though they are some distance apart, have many differences. The sky above them is the same, but the water on them is of the opposite nature. Lake Mansarovar is sweet, pure, holy, and creates a positive aura. On the other hand, the dark twin of Lake Mansarovar, Rakshyastal, is stagnant, bitter, and creates evil thoughts. The Rakshyas tal is full of stories related to Ravan and demons of Tibet, Tibetans even call it the pond of poison.

The battle between Rakshastal vs Lake Mansarovar signifies two emotions of human beings. One gives calmness, the other gives strength. Both of them reflect the balance that keeps the energy in nature, keeping the world together.