Lakes in Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh is renowned for its beauty, bliss and adventure. The mountain state is blessed with a number of beautiful lakes. Lakes in Himachal Pradesh are beguiling bodies that fascinate its visitors. From mesmerizing ripples to mirror like reflections, from adventure to spiritual bliss, from picnics to solo musings, the amazing lakes across Himachal Pradesh have so much to offer.

A lake is an area with water, localized in a basin, that is surrounded by land, apart from any river or other outlet that serves to feed or drain the lake. Lakes lie on land and are not part of the ocean, and therefore are distinct from lagoons, and are also larger and deeper than ponds .Lakes can be contrasted with rivers or streams, which are usually flowing. Most lakes are fed and drained by rivers and streams.

Beas Kund

It is situated at the head of Solang valley and Manali and considered by the locals to be the source of Beas River. Rishi Vyas has meditated there. Local people sacrifice a goat every year before taking their flocks of sheep and goats in that area. Its description is available in the Vedas. It is round in shape with blue water and is very deep. Water from a huge glacier above is stored in this and then flows out. It freezes in winter.

Dasher Lake

Local people of Kullu valley take a dip in this lake in the first week of September to get their wishes fulfilled. It is situated above Marhi on the ridge leading to *htang pass. According to a story Akbar's daughter was healed of paralysis when his armies pushed a horse out of this which was lying inside and making the water polluted. There are other legends about this. It is also called'Shela Shar'.

Bhrigu Lake

It is approached from Manali in one and a day. It is said that Bhrigu Rishi had meditated and written,'Bhrigu Samhita', the sacred book here. This book has been maintained by an organization at Hoshiarpur in Punjab. Whatever has been written by the saint is true even today. The past and future of a particular man can be traced if he could give his correct date of birth and some other details.

Rewalsar Lake

Buddhists, Hindus and Sikhs pay obeisance at gompas, temples and a gurudwara, all lying along the 735 m shoreline of a small ancient natural jewellike lake of Rewalsar, floating at a height of 1,360m. On a slope above the lake lies a gurudwara built in 1930 by His Highness Raja Sir Joginder Sen Bhadur, ruler of Mandi, to commemorate a month'sstay 'Guru Gobind Singh, granting 94 bighas of cultivable land for it. It is said that Raja Sidh Sen of Mandi invited the Guru, who came here from Anandpur Sahib, and became his disciple. The Guru blessed Mandi, vowing to protect it, "Mandi ko jab lootenge, aasmani gole chhootenge"(If Mandi is ever plundered, sky will be set ablaze).
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Also linked with the nag cult, the water is said to flow underground from Rewalsar to Nagachala (serpents path), 10 km from Mandi. Buddhist believe that mansions of nags lie under the lake, an outlet for serpents. Sacred to Buddhists, their great teacher and tantrik Padmasambhava, the Lotus Born, known to Tibetanas as Guru Rimpoche, the Previous Master meditated for several years in Rewalsar's caves, one being in Sar ki Dhar hill. According to a Buddhist legend, Zahor's _king tried to burn Padmasambhava alive, but the latter transformed flames into Tsopadma (Rewalsar) lake, wherein Padmasambhava was found seated in a huge lotus. Subsequently, he established dharma in Zahor. Invited by Tibetan king Trisong Deutsen. Padmasambhava, through his power took fight to Tibet in 747 AD, converting entire Tibet to Mahayana Buddhism, becoming patriarch of Nyingmapa lineage. Rewalsar has three Buddhist (one Bhut and two Tibetan) monasteries on the lake shore. e oldest , belongs to the Nyingmapa order. Rewalsar is sacred to Bhutanese whose state religion is Buddhism's new doctrine.
According to historians, over the centuries Rishi Lomes legend may have got intertwined with that of Padmasambhava, the former fading into obscurity. All faiths reverelake's seven tiny islands of floating reds, clinging to its banks moved by breeze, some believe by prayer, doing the lake's. parikarma to protect it. Elaborate Buddhist rituals are performed as Padmasambhava's spirit rests here. Tiny prayer flags flutter from a pole fixed on an-island, changed after special prayers. A beda (Island) also floats on Parashar lake, 40 km from Mandi. Pilgrims take a dip in deep clear lake, feeding large fish swarming in it. Notices ban fishing, also littering especially throwing of polythene bags. Boating facilities exist. Baisakhi and Chhesu are local fairs.

Prashar Lake

Situated between Bajaura (Kullu) and Mandi among the mountains. Bras . Rishi has meditated there and is considered sacred. There is an ancient temple and lake. There are two more lakes above this, which too are worth visiting.

Chandratal Lake

Situated at an altitude of about 4,300 m is one of the most beautiful lakes in Lahaul Spiti. Nestled amid gigantic peaks of Chandra Bhaga range, the lake is a mesmeric sight. The lake derives its name due to its crescent shape and is known as the Lake of the Moon. It is very popular amongst trekkers and campers visiting the Kunzum Pass. The lake is fascinating, is associated with ancient legends of Mahabharata and has a mysterious personality. It reflects the ever changing colors of the sky and you will feel bliss on its shores.

Suraj Tal Lake

Suraj Tal is one of the highest lakes in the world situated in Lahaul Spiti distt .The sacred water-body literally translates to ‘Lake of the Sun God’. Nestled at an elevation of about 4,890 m above the sea level in the Lahaul and Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh, Suraj Tal is the third-highest lake in India. As you reflect in the blissful water of the lake is blessed with a picturesque view of the surroundings. The beauty is bound to leave anyone speechless. The beautiful lake in Himachal Pradesh is popular among trekkers, motorcyclists, and campers exploring the Spiti Valley.

Nako Lake

Nako Lake situated in Kinnaur district is one of the must-visit lakes in Himachal Pradesh. The lake glitters like a gem in the rugged landscape. The high-altitude lake remains frozen for most part of the year. There are four temples on the lake shores,  of equal importance is a foot print here, which is believed to have been of Buddhist revered leader Lord Padmasambhava. The lake is located in a small village of the same name, where you can spend days enjoying a quite holiday, getting away from the hustle-bustle of cities.

Dal Lake

Shielded by rugged mountains and lush forests, Dal Lake is one of popular lakes in Himachal Pradesh that you must visit. During the month of September, on the banks of the lake a fair is organized, which is a very popular event among the Gaddi tribe. The fair is celebrated to mark the presence of Lord Shiva. A perfect picnic spot where one can enjoy boating and many other activities, the beautiful Dal Lake is counted amongst the major tourist attractions of McLeod Ganj.

Nain Sarovar Lake

Located district Kullu. The lake is surrounded by hundreds of Bhramkamal flowers, huge two feet, lotus-like white flowers one of the rarest of high altitude flora. This place belongs to the goddess Parvati. According to legend, Parvati was so enamored of the god Shiva who was meditating on the Srikhand peak that she waited for him at this spot for 18,000 years. Even the forces of nature empathized with her, and, all around the lake thousands of Bhramkamal flowers sprang up they are the goddesses favorite flowers and even today, this place is called Parvati ka Bagicha, (Parvati's garden). At one .point Parvati grew so despondent at the lack of response from Shiva that a tear fell from her eye onto the ground forming the lake we see today, shaped like a woman's eye and appropriately called Nain Sarovar, (the lake of the eye). It is a beautiful and poignant myth, and adds a lot of color to an otherwise barren prospect.

Renuka Lake

It is located in Sirmaur District 45 km. from Nahan. Its shape is like a sleeping woman. It is said that Parshu Ram sacrificed his mother Renuka on the asking of his father Rishi Jamdagni . In November every year, a fair is held to celebrate the immortality of Mother Renuka. Temples of Renuka and Parshu Ram are worth visiting. Arrangement for boating and visit of zoo are available. Fair lasts for a week.

Mani Mahesh Lake

It is situated in Chamba district and is supposed to be blessed by KaIi and Lord Shiva. A fair is held every year in August-September which has been declared a state fair. One can approach it from Chamba via Bharmaur. It lies at the foot of Mount Kailash (5656 m) and thousands of devotees visit sacred lake for a holy dip.

Khajjiar Lake

Situated in the middle of saucer shaped plateau and has been dedicated to Khaji Nag deity whose temple also exist there. It is 20 km. from Dalhousie and the place is known as the Gulmarg of Himachal. There are beautiful forests on all sides of this lake. It has a 9 hole golf ground .

Man made lakes in Himachal

Gobind Sagar/Bhakhra Lake

It is a man made lake over the Bhakhra Dam which is about ,50 km. long. One can see it while passing through Bilaspur town on way to Manali from Chandigarh/Delhi. Water sports are conducted during winter in this lake by the Mountaineering Institute, Manali. This vast reservoir lies in the districts of Bilaspur and Una.  The Gobind Sagar over the river Sutlej, is the result of the huge hydel dam at Bhakra and is named in honor of Guru Gobind Singh the tenth Sikh Guru. One of the world's highest gravity dams, the Bhakra rises 225.5 m. above its lowest foundations. Under the supervision of the famous American dam-builder, Harvey Si
Siocum, work began in 1955 and was completed in 1962. Though, Slocum had no formal training as an engineer, yet his conceptions and designs had been excellent and proved successful. 
As far back as 1962, the Gobind Sagar was declared a 'Water Fowl Refuge' and even today, hosts a variety of water and shore birds. Fishing is a regular activity and fifty one species and subspecies have been recorded. The varieties found, include Labeo deco Tor putitara (Mahsir), Mystus seenghala (Singhara) and mirror carp and allied species. Fishing licences may be obtained from the Department of Fisheries at Bilaspur. Water sports are available so are speed boat and ferry rides.

Pandoh Lake

Beyond Mandl on the Manali-Leh road, Pandoh lake has been formed due to the dam which divert the water of Beas river to Satluj river at Salaper for the following reasons-
1. To take water of Beas river to Satluj river and then to Gobind Sagar lake where the water level had been reducing due to silting.
This has been done by 2 long tunnels of 13 km. each under the hills and 12 km. open channel.
2. To produce electricity through Salaper Power House.
3. To do some irrigation in Balh valley of Mandi-Sunder Nagar.

Maharana Pratap Sagar  Lake (450 m. above sea level.)

It is another big man made lake where the Mountaineering Institute has set up its centre for conducting water sports training courses. Lot of fish are produced in this reservoir . Named in honor of the great patriot Maharana Pratap (1572-97 AD), the Maharana Pratap Sagar was once known as the Pong Dam. Reservoir India reckons the Maharana as a man who struggled valiantly for his kingdom of Mewar-as for the principle of independence. In the words of the chroniclers James Tod and William Crooke. "He spurned every overture that had submission for its basis". Over the river Beas the Pong Dam was completed in 1976. Its reservoir has an area of about 45,000 hectares at maximum possible flooding-the level varies with every season and on an average around 85,000 people lie along the wetland.
The attraction of Maharana Pratap Sarovar, however, extends beyond its water resource. The lake lies in ancient and historical land, the imprints of which are strewn all around. The banks of the Beas around Dehra Gopipur have nurtured human civilization probably from the stone-age. Many neolithic sites have been excavated by the Archaeological Survey in this area. The Monolithic temples of Masrur, the only one of its kind in North India, contemporary to those of Ajanta and Ellora in Maharashtra and considered by archaeologists as, being equally artistic, are not many miles away from Nagrota Surian. The forts of Kangra, Haripur-Guler and Nurpur are some of the important and formidable citadels of yesteryears.
In 1983, the Sagar was declared a wildlife sanctuary and over 220 species of birds belonging to 54 families have been sighted over the waters and the fringing mud-banks.These include black-headed gulls, plovers, terns, ducks, waterfowl and egrets. The first sighting in the region of the red-necked grebe, was made at the Sagar. The wetland's location of the head of the Indian plains has made it a suitable habitat and stopoverfor migratory birds that enter India from Central Asia. The land portion of the sanctuary has barking deer, sambar, wild boars, nilgai, leopards and clawless otters.

Chamera Lake

The Chamera lake at the 540 MW hydroelectric project (Stage 1) in Chamba district cannot by itself be an independent tourist attraction. It can, of course, serve as an additional attraction for tourists visiting Dalhousie, Khajjiar and Chamba. The dam site is at Chaurah and the two tails of the reservoir extend up to Sundla on the Siul and Kiyani on the Ravi.


 

By: Pooja Sharda