Manimahesh Lake in Himachal Pradesh

Manimahesh Lake situated in the Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayas in Himachal Pradesh Chamba District, is at an altitude of about 4100 m above sea level. Manimahesh is in the south-eastern corner of Chamba District near the Chamba-Kullu border.

The Kailash Parvat that stands high close to the lake is believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva. This place is only second to the Lake Manasarovar in its religious significance. It is a great source of pilgrimage during Radha-ashtmi and Janam-ashtmi every year when pilgrims from far and wide assemble here. The water of the Mani Mahesh Lake is believed to be holy and pilgrims take a holy dip and pray to the reflection of the Kailash Peak on the Lake . There is also a four-faced Shiva lingam installed near the lake.

Just short of the lake is Gauri Kund where women take a holy dip before returning to home. The pilgrimage to Mani Mahesh is considered sacred like that of Amarnath, Badrinath and Rameshwarm.

Mount Kailash is considered as invincible. No one has so far been able to scale this peak despite the fact that much taller peaks, including Mount Everest have been conquered many times.You required woolen cloths over there.

How to reach Manimahesh Lake

Traditionally, pilgrims used to start from the Lakshminarayan Temple at Chamba (996m) and covered the 87-km route in seven stages, on foot. Now, most of the travellers take a bus or taxi ride up to Hadsar ( 12 Kilometers from Bharmaur). Travelers generally stay overnight at Bharmaur (65 km from Chamba) and take taxi up to Hadsar the next morning to start the trek. The rest of the 13 Kms path is to be covered on foot.

Hadser – Danchu (3120m)

Duration: 4 hours The trail is a steep and continuous climb up to Dancho, before proceeding to Manimahesh Lake.

Danchu – Manimahesh Lake (4100m)

Duration: 4 hours The trails continues to ascend steeply till you reach Manimahesh Lake.

Manimahesh Lake – Hadsar (2085m) and to Bharmaur by road Duration: 5 hours The descent from the lake to Hadsar over Danchu will be fast – about 4 hours. A jeep ride to Bharmaur from the road head at Hadsar will take another hour.

At the time of Mani­mahesh Yatra (August/ September, stretching over two weeks from Janam­ashtmi) many people do the entire stretch of 26 km in a single day.

Rewalsar Lake in Himachal Pradesh

Situated at a height of 1360m above sea-level, Rewalsar Lake is located at a distance of 24 km from the city of Mandi in Himachal Pradesh. A square shaped like lake is surrounded by mountain spur and dense vegetation. It appears like a dark jewel nestling between the high hills of Indian Himalayas. Apart from the scenic beauty of the lake, the spot is also famous among the Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists pilgrims, so it attracts a mix of pilgrims of all faiths.

For Tibetan Buddhists, Rewalsar is one of the places visited by Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) on his mission to spread the dharma, while for Sikhs it’s associated with the life of Guru Gobind Singh. There are also a couple of Hindu temples dedicated to Krishna and Shiva.

This odd religious mix gives the place a great atmosphere – turbaned Punjabis rub shoulders with the occasional sadhu and the scenery is dotted with three major Buddhist gompas.

This lake is famous for its floating islands of reed. According to the myths, it is believed that all the seven of the reeds can be moved by breeze or prayer.

The Rewalsar Lake is lies in the hollow of a mountain and is considered as a holy lake to all the three communities.

Boating rides are arranged for the tourists in the Rewalsar Lake.

There’s some sacred caves to visit up in the hills (the view’s great from up there) and a wildlife reserve with a couple of Himalayan black bears but not much more. If wandering round the lake, feeding the fish, sitting in on a pooja and generally just enjoying the peace and quiet is enough for you, though, you’ll be fine.

How to reach Rewalsar Lake

The nearest airport at Bhuntar is 59 km. The broad-gauge railhead is at Pathankot at a distance of 210 km. From Pathankot the narrow gauge railway connects Joginder Nagar, 56 km from Mandi. From Chandigarh one can drive directly to Mandi via Ropar and Bilaspur, the distance is 203 km The drive takes around 5 hours. Luxury / Volvo coaches from Delhi and Shimla bound for Kullu – Manali travel via Mandi.

Climate

In winter, temperatures can hover around freezing point when heavy woollens are required like shawls, sweater, cardigans etc.. During summer, the climate is hot and cottons are recommended.

Dal Lake Dharamshala

Situated at a height of 1775m above sea-level, Dal Lake comes under the region of Kangra district, which is 11 km away from Dharamshala. Nestling amidst lush green forests of deodar trees, the Dal Lake is famous for its scenic beauty and pilgrimage center.

On the bank of Dal Lake a famous Lord Shiva temple is located, which is considered to be very sacred.

Every year during the month of September, a huge number of tourists flock to the Dal Lake to attain famous festival celebrated to mark the presence of Lord Shiva.

The banks of the Dal Lake in Himachal Pradesh are livened up by a fair, which is attended by a big number of the Gaddi tribe in the month of September every year.

The area around Dal Lake is a natural paradise. Dal Lake falls on the road to Naddi, one of the finest places in Dharamshala. Another road branches off from Dal Lake road to Strawberry Hills, a very fine place to explore around Dal Lake.

Climate

As located on the Himalayas, the climate of Dharamshala is pleasant during summer and very cold in winters. The summer months from May to October is pleasant and is the ideal time to visit the hill station. During winters the temperature can drop below the freezing point and heavy woolen clothes are required like shawls, sweater, cardigans etc.

Naddi

At 2,000 meters above the sea level and about one  kilometers from Dal Lake a modern picnic spot is developing fast at Naddi. It is the only place in Dharamshala from where an open view of mountains and wide valleys on Dhauladhars southern side can be seen. It is also a starting point for a trek to Kareri lake, Guna Temple and Triund.

Prashar Lake in Himachal Pradesh

Prashar Lake is located at a height of 2730 m in the district of Mandi, 40 kms. from the town of Mandi,  Himachal Pradesh. The sage Prashar is supposed to have meditated at the bank of this lake and the lake houses three-tiered Pagoda like temple dedicated to sage Prashar. The whole of the temple is built up of a single Deodar tree

Bansen the king of Mandi got this temple built in the 13th century and the temple is in Pagoda style.

Prashar Lake is also a symbol of natural beauty which is overlooked by snow-draped peaks and is situated on the highest place of Mandi district. This lake is fed by small mountain streams.

From the edge of Prashar Lake, you can see a slice of the distant snow capped peaks. The water of Sutlej River flowing towards south is also visible.

On some special occasions, the neighbourhood of this lake doubles as the site for certain festivals too.

The people of the adjoining area throng this temple during this annual fare held here in the in the month of June and the village deities of this vast mountainous area are carried to this heavenly spot to pay obeisance to sage Prashar.

How to reach Prashar Lake

The nearest airport at Bhuntar is 75 km. The broad-gauge railhead is at Pathankot at a distance of 226 km. From Pathankot the narrow gauge railway connects Joginder Nagar, 56 km from Mandi. From Chandigarh one can drive directly to Mandi via Ropar and Bilaspur, the distance is 203 km The drive takes around 5 hours. Luxury / Volvo coaches from Delhi and Shimla bound for Kullu – Manali travel via Mandi.

Climate

In winter, temperatures can hover around freezing point when heavy woolens are required like shawls, sweater, cardigans etc. During summer, the climate is hot and cottons are recommended.

Renuka Lake in Himachal Pradesh

Renuka lake is situated in the Sirmour district of Himachal Pradesh in India and it is 672 m above the sea level.

Renuka Lake is located at a distance of 37 km from Nahan and 60 km from Paonta Sahib covering an area of 2.5 km.

Situated amidst lush green forests of Indian Himalayas, the surroundings of the Lake offers an excellent venue to tourists for the adventure sports like trekking and mountaineering.

On the turf of Renuka Lake boating and fishing is also allowed by the travel & tourism department of Himachal Pradesh.

The surrounding hills of Renuka Lake supports variety of plant and animal life. By seeing the abundance availability of wild life in the region, the state government of Himachal Pradesh has constructed a mini Zoo.

There are variety of species kept in the zoo for public viewing, some of them are Himalayan black beer, spotted deer, barking beer and many more other distinct species. Apart from the nature’s splendor, it has holistic values too.

One of the popular temple of Himachal Pradesh, Renukaji is situated on the bank of this lake.

Tourists flock to the destinations across the world to indulge in adventure sports and sightseeing.

How to reach Renuka Lake

Renukaji is connected by road. It is 315 km from Delhi. The nearest rail head is at Ambala (95 km) Dehradun (105km) and Chandigarh (95 km). The nearest airports are at Chandigarh and Dehradun. Taxis/buses are available for Renukaji at all places

Reaching Renuka lake is not very straight forward task if you want to travel by state run buses. The starting point is the capital of India, New Delhi and from here one can travel up to Chandigarh ( 250 Kms) or Kalka(280 Kms) by rail and then take various buses running on the route to a place called Nahan. From Nahan one has to change to a bus that will take you to Renuka.

Climate

In winter, the climate is pleasant and light woolens are suggested like shawls, sweater, cardigans etc. Summer temperature are high and cottons are recommended.