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LAKES OF HIMACHAL PRADESH

Himachal has a number of beautiful and enchanting lakes. Some of those lakes in Himachal Pradesh are sacred pilgrimage destinations and most of them have found mention in Hindu mythology.

Nako Lake, Kinnaur District


          Nako Lake is a high altitude lake in the Pooh sub-division of the Kinnaur                 district. The lake glitters like a gem in rugged landscape. The high altitude lake is frozen for most parts of the year. The lake is surrounded by willow and poplar trees. Near the lake there are four Buddhist temples. Near this place there is a foot like impression ascribed to the saint Padmasambhava.

Rewalsar Lake, Mandi District

   

Rewalsar is an important religious place for Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists alike. The natural lake at Rewalsar is famous for its floating reed islands and fishes. Hindu, Buddhist and Sikh shrines exist along the periphery of Lake. Legend has it that the great teacher and scholar Padmasambhava used his enormous powers to take flight to Tibet from Rewalsar and spread Mahayana Buddhism in Tibet.

It is believed that tiny islands of floating reed in Rewalser Lake have the spirit of Padamasabhava embodied in it. An imposing statue of Padamsambhava is also built in Rewalsar. At this place Sage Lomas is believed to have performed his penance to appease Lord Shiva. The Gurudwara Shri Rewalsar Sahib is associated with the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh ji who called upon Pahari Rajas to be united in his fight against Mughals. People of all religion come to Rewalsar for a Holy bath on Baisakhi. Rewalsar Lake is also known as Tso Pema Lotus Lake.


   Chandratal, Lahaul and Spiti District

    

         Tso Chikgma or Chandra Taal (meaning the Lake of the Moon),                            or Chandra Tal is a lake in the Lahaul part of the Lahul and Spiti district               of Himachal Pradesh (India).  Chandra Taal is situated at an altitude of                about 4,300 m above sea level. It is one of the two highest altitude                        wetlands of India. It is near the source of the Chandra River.

       Surajtal, Lahaul and Spiti District


It is one of the highest lakes in the world. Suraj Tal Lake is the source of Bhaga River which joins the Chandra River downstream at Tandi to form the Chandrabhaga River in Himachal Pradesh territory, and as it enters Jammu and Kashmir it is renamed as the Chenab River.

Dhankar Lake, Lahaul and Spiti District

The lake is situated in Dhankar Village in Spiti Valley and attracts a large number of tourists. At the height of more than 13000 ft, the lake is circled with barren cliffs of this cold deset and overlooks the magical confluence of Spiti and Pin River. Dhankar lake is also one of the highest lakes in Himachal Pradesh.

Kareri Lake, Kangra District



Kareri Lake  (also known as Kumarwah Lake)is a high altitude, shallow, fresh water lake south of the Dhauladhar range approximately 9 km North West of Dharamsala in Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh. here is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and Shakti on a hilltop overlooking the lake.

Parashar Lake, Mandi District

Prashar Lake is located at a height of 2730 m above sea level. It lies 49 km north of Mandi near a three-storied pagoda dating back to the thirteenth century dedicated to the sage Prashar. He is believed to have meditated on the banks of this lake. There is a round, floating island inside the lake, though it is unclear how deep it is. During summer, it floats away to one side of the lake and then slowly drifts towards the other by winter.

Bhima, one of the Pandava brothers, had created the lake. The story says, after the Kurukshetra / Mahabharat war, Pandavas were returning with Lord Kamrunag. When they reached this place, Kamrunag loves the tranquil surroundings and decides to live here forever. So, Bheem (the strongest of the lot) rams his elbow on one of the mountains and creates a big dent in the land. This dent became Prashar Lake.Till now no one has been able to find out the depth of Prashar Lake.

Brighu Lake, Kullu District

Bhrigu Lake is a high altitude glacial lake located at an elevation of around 4,300 m above sea level.  The lake is oval shaped and lies near the Rohtang pass. Bhrigu Lake owes its name from the famous Rishi Bhrigu who used to meditate at the banks of this lake.

     Dasher Lake, Kullu District



Dashir Lake is located near Rohtang Pass and is a really picturesque lake. The lake is surrounded by glaciers and mountains of Pir Panjal Range. It is a common belief that the lake has therapeutic properties and the same is mentioned in a lot of local myths. Locals take a dip in this lake in the first week of September to get their wishes fulfilled. The lake has crystal clear water which makes it possible to see right through the lake. It is also called as ‘Shela Shar’.

          Manimahesh Lake, Chamba District

The lake is situated at an altitude of 13,000 feet at the foot of the Kailash peak (18,564 ft). According to the Hindu Mythology, Shiva created Manimahesh after he met goddess Parvati. Every year, on the eighth day of the light half of the moon in the month of Bhadon, a fair is held at this lake, which attracts thousands of pilgrims who assemble here to take a dip in the holy water.

Renuka Lake, Sirmaur District

The largest lake in Himachal Pradesh, Renuka ji Lake is named after goddess Renuka.  Shaped like a profile of a woman, the lake has the circumference of 2.5 km and is the largest in Himachal. On the eve of Prabodhini Ekadashi (November every year), the Five day long International level Shri Renuka Ji fair begins with the arrival of son Lord Parshuram at Shri Renuka Ji the Lake in Himachal, the home of his divine mother Shri Renuka Ji.

Dal Lake, Kangra District

Quaint and clam, Dal lake is filled with greenish water. The lake is shielded by the rugged mountains and luscious forest of deodar trees. A fair is organised on the banks of the lake during the month of September. The event is celebrated to mark the presence of Lord Shiva and is quite popular amongst the Gaddi tribe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

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