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Namtso,
another holy lake in Tibet, is located near Damxung. 4718 meters (15475
feet) above sea level and covering 1900 square kilometers (735 square
miles), the lake is the highest saltwater lake in the world and the second
largest saltwater lake in China. The snow capped Mt. Nyainqentanglha,
considered as the son of Namtso and leader of sacred mountains, soars
up to sky beside her. Singing streams converge into the clean sapphire
blue lake, which looks like a huge mirror framed and dotted with flowers.
Meaning Heavenly Lake in Tibetan, Namtso
is respected as one of the four holiest lakes and the seat of Paramasukha
Chakrasamvara by Buddhist pilgrims. Buddhists believe Buddhas, Bodhisattvas
and Vajras will assemble to hold religious meeting at Namtso in the year
of sheep on Tibetan calendar. Circumambulation around the lake at the
right moment equals 100 thousand times of that in normal years. Hence
thousands of pilgrims from every corner of Tibet and others places such
as Qinghai, Sichuan and Yunnan, cluster to Namtso after long and hard
treks. On the four sides of the lake stand four monasteries, which have
Buddhist meanings.
Five islets, planting themselves in the vast
sapphire blue lake, is said to be the incarnation of the Buddha of Five
Directions. Every pilgrims circumambulating the lake will piously worship
them. Those islets are famous for their topography, covered by weird but
vivid stones. Producing abundant fish and lodging many birds and beasts,
the lake is also a heaven for animals and plants.
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