Rakshas Taal (Ravana lake)
Rakshas Taal (lake), located at an altitude of 4515 m. borders with Lake Manasarovar in the east, Kailash & Yam Dwar in the North, Tirthpuri in the west and an old fortified town, Taklakot, in the south. The shape of this lake is as crescent moon which represents the darkness. The size of the lake is 225 sp. km.
The water of Rakshas Lake is salty so no aquatic plants are produced here and there are no fishes as well. Local people believe that the water of Rakshas Taal is inauspicious & poisonous. It is bigger in size than Lake Manasarovar. Hindus & local inhabitants of Tibet do not consider it auspicious, therefore no one bathes in it.
There are a few legends that belong to Rakshas Lake. It is said that the demon's King Ravana had danced here holding the weight of Mt. Kailash and had performed great austerities to make Lord Shiva happy. Hence, the name of this Lake became Rakshas Lake.
Another legend indicates that Rakshas Taal was created by Demon King Ravana in front of Shiva's abode (Mt. Kailash) for the express purpose of gaining superpowers through meditation, devotion & austerities. To please the Lord Shiva, residing in one of the islands of Rakshas Lake, King Ravana had sacrificed one of his ten heads every day. On the day tenth, astonished Lord Shiva appeared in front of Ravana and granted his wish to have Superpower.
Rakshas lake bears the bad reputation but it is not less beautiful than any other Lakes of Tibet. Once the Lake used to be connected with Lake Manasarovar through a natural canal Gangachu but it is no more connected now because of geographical movement.
