Sarovar

Sarovar is a term from Sanskrit (sarovara) meaning a large lake or water body, and it is widely used in Indian languages such as Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, and Punjabi to denote lakes. In toponymy, sarovar is often appended to a place name to indicate a sacred or notable lake.

Notable examples include Mansarovar (Manasarovar) Lake, a high-altitude freshwater lake near Mount Kailash in the Tibet Autonomous Region. It is revered in Hinduism and also holds significance in Jainism and Buddhism, and it is the focus of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, an important pilgrimage route. Another example is Pushkar Sarovar, the sacred Pushkar Lake in Rajasthan, surrounded by ghats and temples and linked to various legends.

Religious and cultural significance: Lakes designated as sarovars are often sites of ritual bathing, offerings, and pilgrimages. They are sometimes associated with deities or rivers in Hindu belief and feature in traditional texts and regional folklore.

Geography and ecology: Sarovar lakes vary in size and setting, from high-altitude Himalayan basins to arid plains. They are typically freshwater ecosystems that support migratory birds and a variety of aquatic life, though some are subject to seasonal changes and pollution pressures.

Modern context: In contemporary times, sarovar lakes are managed by local or national authorities and are frequented by pilgrims and tourists. The geopolitical context can affect access to lakes near borders, such as Mansarovar near Kailash.