Rewalsar Lake
Encyclopedia
Located on a mountain spur, 12 miles (19 km) or about an hour's drive from Mandi brings you to this dark jewel-like lake. With water, woodland and high hills, it presents a variety of natural beauty. The spot is sacred for Hindus, Buddhists and Sikhs. It is about 4,000 feet (1,220 m) above sea level.
There are three Buddhist monasteries at Rewalsar. Rewalsar has three Hindu temples which are dedicated to Lord Krishna, Lord Shiva and to the sage Lomas
. Another holy lake, Kunt Bhyog which is about 1,750 m above sea level lies above Rewalsar.It is associated with the escape of 'Pandavas' from the burning palace of wax—an episode from the epic, Mahabharta.
It was from here that the great Indian teacher and `Tantric` Padmasambhava
left for Tibet. Known to the Tibetans as 'Guru Rimpoche', the Precious Master, it was under Padmasambhava's influence that Mahayana Buddhism spread over Tibet. There are islands of floating reed on Rewalsar lake and the spirit of Padmasambhava is said to reside in them. It is here that the sage Lomas did penance in devotion to Lord Shiva, and the Sikh Guru Gobind Singh
(22 December 1666 – 7 October 1708), the tenth Guru of Sikhism, also resided here for one month
The Sisu fair held in late February/early march, and the festival of Baisakhi are important events at Rewalsar.
Rewalsar Lake is a mid-altitude lake
located in the Mandi district
, 24 km north-east from Mandi. Its elevation is about 1,360 m above sea level.
The lake is shaped like a square with the shoreline of about 735 m. It is held as a sacred spot for Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists alike.
were energetically drawn to one another. Vihardhara, fearful of the contamination of the royal bloodline and what he perceived as Mandarava's apostasy
, endeavoured to have Mandarava and Padmasambhava purified by immolation
through the flames of a pyre
. Instead of finding their corpses incensed and charred, Vihardhara finds that the fire
of the pyre has been transformed into Lake Rewalsar near Mandi (Zahor) in Himachel Pradesh, India, out of which arises a blooming lotus
that supports the unharmed Mandarava and Padmasambhava who through this manifestation of their realisation have achieved their secret names of Vajravarahi
and Hayagriva
, respectively, after which Vihardhara furnishes the union with his unreserved blessing
s.
Legend has it that the great teacher Padmasambhava (Guru Rimpoche) used his enormous power to take flight to Tibet from Rewalsar. In Rewalsar, his spirit is said to reside in the tiny island of floating reed that drifts over the water.
There are three Buddhist monasteries at Rewalsar. Rewalsar has three Hindu temples which are dedicated to Lord Krishna, Lord Shiva and to the sage Lomas
Lomas
Lomas may refer to:In people:* Lomas Brown , American football offensive tackle* Anne Lomas , New Zealand lawn bowls competitor* Bill Lomas , British motorcycle racer* Billy Lomas , British footballer...
. Another holy lake, Kunt Bhyog which is about 1,750 m above sea level lies above Rewalsar.It is associated with the escape of 'Pandavas' from the burning palace of wax—an episode from the epic, Mahabharta.
It was from here that the great Indian teacher and `Tantric` Padmasambhava
Padmasambhava
Padmasambhava ; Mongolian ловон Бадмажунай, lovon Badmajunai, , Means The Lotus-Born, was a sage guru from Oddiyāna who is said to have transmitted Vajrayana Buddhism to Bhutan and Tibet and neighbouring countries in the 8th century...
left for Tibet. Known to the Tibetans as 'Guru Rimpoche', the Precious Master, it was under Padmasambhava's influence that Mahayana Buddhism spread over Tibet. There are islands of floating reed on Rewalsar lake and the spirit of Padmasambhava is said to reside in them. It is here that the sage Lomas did penance in devotion to Lord Shiva, and the Sikh Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Gobind Singh is the tenth and last Sikh guru in a sacred lineage of ten Sikh gurus. Born in Patna, Bihar in India, he was also a warrior, poet and philosopher. He succeeded his father Guru Tegh Bahadur as the leader of Sikhs at a young age of nine...
(22 December 1666 – 7 October 1708), the tenth Guru of Sikhism, also resided here for one month
The Sisu fair held in late February/early march, and the festival of Baisakhi are important events at Rewalsar.
Rewalsar Lake is a mid-altitude lake
Lake
A lake is a body of relatively still fresh or salt water of considerable size, localized in a basin, that is surrounded by land. Lakes are inland and not part of the ocean and therefore are distinct from lagoons, and are larger and deeper than ponds. Lakes can be contrasted with rivers or streams,...
located in the Mandi district
Mandi district
Mandi district is one of the central districts of Himachal Pradesh state in northern India. Mandi town is the headquarters of Mandi district Mandi. The town has both mythological and historical significance and boasts of a unique temple architecture...
, 24 km north-east from Mandi. Its elevation is about 1,360 m above sea level.
The lake is shaped like a square with the shoreline of about 735 m. It is held as a sacred spot for Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists alike.
The legend of Padmasambhava and Princess Mandarava of Mandi (Zahor)
Mandarava and PadmasambhavaPadmasambhava
Padmasambhava ; Mongolian ловон Бадмажунай, lovon Badmajunai, , Means The Lotus-Born, was a sage guru from Oddiyāna who is said to have transmitted Vajrayana Buddhism to Bhutan and Tibet and neighbouring countries in the 8th century...
were energetically drawn to one another. Vihardhara, fearful of the contamination of the royal bloodline and what he perceived as Mandarava's apostasy
Apostasy
Apostasy , 'a defection or revolt', from ἀπό, apo, 'away, apart', στάσις, stasis, 'stand, 'standing') is the formal disaffiliation from or abandonment or renunciation of a religion by a person. One who commits apostasy is known as an apostate. These terms have a pejorative implication in everyday...
, endeavoured to have Mandarava and Padmasambhava purified by immolation
Immolation
Immolation, from Latin immolare, "to sacrifice", originally "to sprinkle with sacrificial meal" , in modern English since the 16th century may refer to:* Fire sacrifice** Holocaust * Cremation...
through the flames of a pyre
Pyre
A pyre , also known as a funeral pyre, is a structure, usually made of wood, for burning a body as part of a funeral rite...
. Instead of finding their corpses incensed and charred, Vihardhara finds that the fire
Fire
Fire is the rapid oxidation of a material in the chemical process of combustion, releasing heat, light, and various reaction products. Slower oxidative processes like rusting or digestion are not included by this definition....
of the pyre has been transformed into Lake Rewalsar near Mandi (Zahor) in Himachel Pradesh, India, out of which arises a blooming lotus
Lotus (plant)
Lotus identifies various plant taxa:* Nelumbo, a genus of aquatic plants with showy flowers** Nelumbo nucifera, the Sacred or Indian lotus** Nelumbo lutea, the American or Yellow lotus...
that supports the unharmed Mandarava and Padmasambhava who through this manifestation of their realisation have achieved their secret names of Vajravarahi
Vajravarahi
Vajrayoginī is the Vajra , literally 'the diamond female yogi'. She is a Highest Yoga Tantra Yidam , and her practice includes methods for preventing ordinary death, intermediate state and rebirth , and for transforming all mundane daily experiences into higher spiritual paths...
and Hayagriva
Hayagriva
Hayagriva is a horse-headed deity that appears in both Hinduism and Buddhism.-Hinduism:...
, respectively, after which Vihardhara furnishes the union with his unreserved blessing
Blessing
A blessing, is the infusion of something with holiness, spiritual redemption, divine will, or one's hope or approval.- Etymology and Germanic paganism :...
s.
Legend has it that the great teacher Padmasambhava (Guru Rimpoche) used his enormous power to take flight to Tibet from Rewalsar. In Rewalsar, his spirit is said to reside in the tiny island of floating reed that drifts over the water.
