PHOTO GALLERY: Rewalsar, India- A Holy Lake With Monasteries & Temples

2013/11/16

peaceful Rewalsar Lake, surrounded by Tibetan monasteries and Sikh & Hindu temples

PHOTO GALLERY:

Rewalsar, India- A Holy Lake With Monasteries & Temples

Rewalsar is a small lake and community set in the lower Himalayan mountains of Himachal Pradesh State, India. According to legend, the Indian Buddhist teacher, Padmasambhava, often referred to as the Second Buddha, created the holy lake water at Rewalsar due to an elaborate series of events. The lake is believed to contain his spirit.

From Rewalsar Lake Padmasambhava traveled to Tibet and introduced Buddhism there.

gilded statue of Padmasambhava – Rewalsar

Other religions soon recognized the sacred waters and established their own temples beside the lake. Today Hindu and Sikh temples share the lakeside with four Tibetan Monasteries.

In more recent years devout Tibetan Buddhists constructed a huge statue of Padmasambhava, whom they refer to as Guru Rimpoche, which towers magnificently over the lake.

Needless to say, the spot attracts many monks, nuns, priests, holy men and pilgrims. It has also become a minor tourist attraction for tourists who come to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and the gorgeous Tibetan temples. Some make an extended stay at one of the monasteries to study Buddhism and/or meditate.

A common daily practice consists of walking around the lake three times, preferably three times per day. Each triple loop takes 30-45 minutes, which provides great exercise as well as spiritual merit.

Tibetan and Indian cafes offer a delicious assortment of foods and several guest houses offer rooms to visitors. It’s a supremely serene, relaxing place to stay.

SEE PHOTOS OF Rewalsar India

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