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Lake Manasarovar facts for kids

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Lake Manasarovar or Lake Manasa Sarovar (Standard Tibetan: མ་ཕམ་གཡུ་མཚོ།, Mapham Yutso; simplified Chinese: 玛旁雍错; traditional Chinese: 瑪旁雍錯) is a very important freshwater lake located high up in the mountains of Tibet, China. It's about 2,000 kilometers (1,243 miles) away from Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. This lake is famous because it's the source of the mighty Sindhu River, which flows all the way west to the Arabian Sea. Many people consider Lake Manasarovar a sacred place.

Mansarovar
The source of the Indus River in China and the Tibetan Himalayas

About Lake Manasarovar

Lake Manasarovar is one of the highest freshwater lakes in the world. It sits at an elevation of about 4,590 meters (15,060 feet) above sea level. The lake is quite large, covering an area of about 320 square kilometers (120 square miles). Its deepest point is around 90 meters (300 feet).

Where is Lake Manasarovar?

This beautiful lake is found in the Tibet Autonomous Region, which is part of China. It's nestled among some of the world's tallest mountains, including the famous Mount Kailash. The area around the lake is remote and has a very cold climate, especially in winter.

Why is Lake Manasarovar Special?

Lake Manasarovar is considered very sacred by followers of several religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. For Hindus, it is believed to be a holy place where bathing can cleanse sins. Buddhists also consider it a sacred site, linked to the birthplace of Buddha. Many pilgrims travel long distances to visit the lake and perform religious rituals.

The lake is also important geographically because it is the source of the Indus River. This river is vital for millions of people living in Pakistan and India, providing water for drinking and farming.

Images for kids

  • Gurla Mandhata & Manasarovar

    Mount Naimona'nyi (Gurla Mandhata) and Lake Manasarovar

  • Mansarovar map

    Map of the region

  • Lake Manasarovar, Tibet map in French and Persian detail from 1784 Tiefenthaler Map of the Ganges and Ghaghara Rivers, India (cropped)

    An 18th-century map of Lake Manasarovar by the Jesuit Joseph Tiefenthaler.

  • Mt Kailash sat

    Satellite view of lakes Manasarovar (right) and Rakshastal with Mount Kailash in the background

  • Manasarovar lake

    View from Chiu Gompa Monastery

  • Mountains yaks Manasarovar pilgrimage trail

    The trail to Manasarovar lake

  • Manasarovar with small temples

    Small temples and stupa near the lake

  • ManasarovarKailashPrayerFlags

    Buddhist Prayer flags on the shore

  • Kailash stupa and temples, Manasarovar pilgrimage trail

    Monuments and Mount Kailash near the lake

  • Mount Kailash sunset from Manasarovar lake

    Mount Kailash sunset

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