//
Photo: Mystic nishant99, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Roam around the lake, stand at the water or sit in one of the many pavilions and enjoy the quietness. According to Buddhist legend, the lake was miraculously created from a funeral pyre that had been built by the King of Zahor for the purpose of burning Guru Rinpoche and Princess Mandarava alive. The depth of the lake has never been established and remains a mystery. A park surrounds the lake, which serves as an area to circumambulate the sacred site. Before India was engulfed in Covid with many deaths, the locals reported that the lake turned a deep yellow, and then returned to normal colour as the pandemic died down.
Rewalsar Lake, also known as Tso Pema, is a mid-altitude lake located in the mountains of the Mandi district in Himachal Pradesh, India. It is located 22.5 km south-west from the town of Mandi, at an elevation of about 1,360 metres (4,460 ft) above sea level, with a shoreline of about 735 m. Rewalsar Lake is a sacred spot for Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists, and sacred to Tibetan Buddhists for the Vajrayana practices of Padmasambhava and Mandarava, which are credited for the lake's creation.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Tsopema Nyingmapa Monastery
A Tibetan retreat center founded by Dudjom Rinpoche. It is the oldest monastery at the lake.
The Hindu temple in Rewalsar.
Another part of the Tibetan monasteries here.
The Sikh temple in Rewalsar.
At the other extremity of the lake, there is a small zoo where local animals can be seen. It is located under the trees and the walk is quite enjoyable.
Padmasabhava Cave
A cave where Guru Rinpoche meditated, contains a number of shrines and a large statue on the guru. En route will pass a small nunnery and meditation caves. The path is steep in parts, but well paved. The cave is inside of the houses, so you have to go through one of the doors of the houses there.