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Mapang Yumco
Forever invincible jade lake
Mapang Yumco is the name of a holy lake. It is at an elevation of 14,435 ft (4400m), and is one of the highest freshwater lakes in the world.
Mapang Yumco is located within Burang County, Ngari District, at the foot of Kangdese peak (Mansarovar), with an area of 154 square miles (400 square kilometres).
In the Tibetan language, "Mapang Yumco" means "forever invincible jade lake." The title can be traced back to the time of a famous religious war which happened near the lake in the eleventh century. The result was that the Gagyu Sect of Tibetan Buddhism defeated paganism decisively. The title of the lake reflects their overwhelming victory.
The vast, tranquil, and transparent lake is now deemed a holy lake by devotees of several of the world's religions, and it is one of the most renowned lakes in Asia. In many ancient Buddhist sutras the lake was referred to as "King of the Holy Lakes" And according to the earlier Bon religion, Mapang Yumco is the palace of a holy dragon that has a man's body and the head of either a snake or a horse. In many ancient murals, the lake is depicted as a fairy maiden with a girl's head and a fish's tail.
Mapang Yumco is encircled by snowy mountains on three sides. The mountains are precipitous, craggy, and dazzlingly white, while the water of the lake is so blue. The reason for the colour is the unfathomable depth of the water. Some say it is as much as 253 ft (77m) deep. The snowy mountains around are just like white jade, setting off the beauty of the lake. The water is absolutely still, without any sound of wind whistling and not even tiny waves on the surface. The unique surroundings and stately atmosphere leave a lasting impression.
In Indian mythology, Mapang Yumco Lake was conceived in the mind by the great god Brahma. His son needed a lake to bathe in after adopting asceticism in the divine mountains. Usually followers of Hinduism would bathe in the lake during their ritual worship. Tibetans make a similar walk round the lake, but differ from the Hindus in that they prostrate themselves instead of bathing.
It is said that the water in this lake can remove the five sufferings of the human mind. These are greed, madness, anger, laziness, and envy. It can remove dirt from the body, too. Bathing in the lake can clean a person's body and soul, build up their health, remove annoyance, and prolong life. A lot of followers of Buddha come here to worship and bathe some time during summer and fall every year. After bathing, they often take some "holy water" back with them to give to their friends as a gift.
According to the monk XuanZhuang of the Tang dynasty, in his Journey to the West- written after he made his pilgrimage to India to find the Buddhist sutras - this lake is the abode of the immortals, and is associated with the fairy mother goddess. It has four bathing places, With Lotus Bathing Gate in the east, Sweet Bathing Gate in the south, Dirt Removal Gate in the west, and Belief Bathing Gate in the north. It has consistently been held by Buddhist pilgrims that taking the opportunity to bathe in this lake brings great fortune in life. Buddhists believe that Mapang Yumco is the nectar bestowed to human beings by the great god Chakrasamvara, and that it can cleanse our bodies as well as removing all kinds of vexation, annoyance, and improper thoughts from our souls. Drinking the water of the lake can get rid of numerous diseases and keep our bodies healthy. If pilgrims make the ritual walk around this lake, they obtain boundless benefits.
Besides its unusual significance for pilgrims, Mapang Yumco the King of all the Holy Lakes - is such an outstanding scenic place that no one can pass by without being affected. Even though they may not pay attention to the fascinating myths and legends associated with it, on account of its rare and pure beauty travellers will effectively prostrate themselves before it and may even feel it appropriate to worship it after their long and arduous journey.
Location
Mapang Yumco is located with Burang county in Ngari district, at the foot of Kangdese peak, and has an area of more than 154 square miles (400 square kilometres).
Climate
Ngari district is located in the west of Tibet, at an average elevation of 14,764 ft (4500m) above sea level. The weather in this rugged natural environment is variable.
Of Special Interest
Mapang Yumco is one of the highest freshwater lakes in the world.
Main Attractions
Pilgrims come to take a ritual walk around the holy lake, travelling clockwise. The perimeter of the holy lake if about 38 miles (60km), and this takes two days to complete.
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