The Yarlung Tsangpo rises in the glaciers south-east of Manasarovar and flows east for more than 1,500 km across southern Tibet before turning south through a great gorge into Arunachal Pradesh, where it becomes the Siang and then the Brahmaputra. Near Saga it is a wide, braided river crossing gravel flats, crossed by a road bridge.
For many Indian pilgrims, seeing the source region of the Brahmaputra, as well as the Sutlej, Indus and Karnali nearer Kailash, is part of the meaning of the yatra. Some offer flowers or prayers, others simply watch the light on the water. In June the river runs grey with snowmelt; in September it is often clearer.
Your guide will choose a safe spot to stop. Do not walk onto gravel bars or into the water; currents are strong and cold. Photography of the river is fine, but avoid bridges with security posts.
Good for
- Pilgrims
- Photographers
- Families
Questions travellers ask
Is the Yarlung Tsangpo the same as the Brahmaputra?
Yes. The Yarlung Tsangpo flows east across southern Tibet, cuts through a deep gorge around Namcha Barwa, and enters India in Arunachal Pradesh as the Siang, becoming the Brahmaputra in Assam. Near Saga it is still a high plateau river at about 4,500 m.
Which rivers start near Mount Kailash?
Four great rivers rise in the Kailash–Manasarovar region: the Indus to the north, the Sutlej to the west, the Karnali to the south and the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) to the east. Their sources lie within about 100 km of the mountain, which adds to its sacred status.
Can I collect water from the Brahmaputra at Saga?
Many pilgrims collect a small bottle as a keepsake. Stay on firm ground at a spot your guide chooses, since the river is fast and cold. Carry it in a sealed bottle in checked luggage, and remember airline liquid rules for the flight home.
