North India · Himachal Pradesh
Rewalsar, Himachal Pradesh
Before you go
A lake sacred to three faiths near Mandi -- Tso Pema to Tibetan Buddhists, who link it to Guru Padmasambhava.
About Rewalsar
- Lakeside
- Hills
Where it is
Rewalsar is a small town beside a lake in the hills of Mandi district in Himachal Pradesh, about 22 km south-west of Mandi at roughly 1,350 m.
History
Tibetan Buddhists know the lake as Tso Pema, the lotus lake, and believe Padmasambhava, who carried Buddhism to Tibet in the 8th century, emerged unharmed on a lotus when a local king tried to burn him here with the princess Mandarava. The lake is also sacred to Hindus as the place of the sage Lomas's penance, and to Sikhs because Guru Gobind Singh stayed here for a month.
People
Rewalsar is home to Himachali families who speak Mandeali and Hindi, to monks and nuns of several Tibetan monasteries, and to Sikh sevadars at the gurudwara. Pilgrims of all three faiths walk the path around the lake.
Known for
- Rewalsar Lake, or Tso Pema
- The giant Padmasambhava statue
- Tibetan monasteries and caves above the lake
- Gurudwara Rewalsar Sahib
- Naina Devi Temple on the hilltop
Did you know?
Floating islands of reeds drift on the lake, and Tibetan tradition says the spirit of Padmasambhava resides in them.
Shrines and sites
- Rewalsar Lake
- Padmasambhava statue and Tibetan monasteries
- Gurudwara Rewalsar Sahib
- Naina Devi Temple
Traditions
- Buddhist
- Hindu
- Sikh
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