According to Hinduism, the lake was first created in the mind of the Lord Brahma after which it manifested on Earth. Hence, it is called "Manasa sarovaram", which is a combination of the Sanskrit words for "mind" and "lake". In Hinduism, Lake Manasarovar is a personification of purity, and one who drinks water from the lake will go to the abode of Shiva after death. He or she is believed to be cleansed of all their sins committed over even a hundred lifetimes.