Lake Rakshastal known as “the Ghost Lake”
Spread over 250 sq. Kms, the legend says that Lake Rakshastal was created by Ravana for gaining Superpowers from Lord Shiva through observing penance by the lakeside. Located just 3.5 Km from the holy Lake Mansarovar which has sweet and fresh water, Rakshastal has bitter and saline water. At an altitude of over 4500 m, Rakshastal is also known as The Lake of the Demon. As there are no plants or wildlife around the lake, its lifeless surroundings caused the Tibetans to refer to it as “the Ghost Lake” and also the dark lake of poison. The most prominent river of North India, the Sutlej River originates at the northwestern tip of Lake Rakshastal.
To please Shiva, Ravan used to behead one of his ten heads as an offering every day upon the banks of an island in the Rakshastal. On the 10th day, just before Ravana was about to behead his tenth head, pleased with Ravana’s devotion Shiva appeared before him and showered divine powers, possessing which he returned to Lanka.
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The Mansarovar lake is round in shape like the Sun but the Lake Rakshastal is of crescent shape which is respectively regarded as sign of Brightness and darkness in Buddhism and Hindu cultures. The landscapes around Lake Rakshastal are amazingly beautiful. The red hills are seen across the lake as an unending geography. The area around Rakshastal is not grazed by the animals, not its water drunk. What is most astonishing is that the 3 feet high ripples are seen in the lake even in absence of wind.
