LAKES OF HIMACHAL PRADESH

1)      Govind Sagar Lake:

Ø It is situated on world’s highest gravity dam.

Ø Pandit Nehru called this dam “New Temple of Resurgent India”

Ø It exists between slapper and Bhakhra villages.

Ø It is largest artificial lake in HP.

Ø Located in Bilaspur

2)      Ghadasaru Lake:

Ø It is in Chamba

Ø A kali temple is located near its bank

3)      Khajjiar lake:

Ø A small lake called the Kund forms the centre piece of Khajiiar.

Ø  A temple dedicated to Khajjia Nag is also located here.

Ø  It is 24 Km from Dalhousie.

Ø It is also known as “Mini Switzerland” by swiss envoy Willy P.Blazer on 7th Jul 1992

Ø  Sign board here indicated its distance from swiss capital Berne.

Ø  It is 166th to be christened as “Mini Switzerland”.

4)      Lama Dal Lake:

Ø It is group of 7 lakes.

Ø It is 20 Km from Dainkund.

Ø Its depth is unknown.

Ø Local Gaddi tribe visit this lake on Janamastami.

5)      Manimahesh Lake:

Ø It is 35 Km from Bharmour.

Ø Situated at the foot of mount Kailash(5660m).

Ø It is said to be blessed by kali and protected by shiva.

Ø Manimahesh yatra is held every year here.

6)      Chamera lake:             

Ø Formed due a hydro project on River Ravi in chamera village.

Ø The road connecting the chamera dam goes along the lake to “Bhalie temple” and the famous thick forest of bhandal valley.

7)      Mahakali lake:

Ø It is devoted to Kali.

Ø Located at Churah in Chamba.

8)      ChanderKup Tal :

Ø It is in Chamba.

Ø Snow covers for the most the time this lake.

Ø During summer season ice blocks keep floating in it.

9)      Dal Lake:

Ø In Dharamshala,Kangra.

Ø Also known as Bhagsunag lake.

Ø A temple dedicated to Lord Drivehswar/Dhrumeshwar built by sage Agastya is located here.

Ø After 15 days of janmashtami a fair known as Radhaashtami is held here.

10)   Pong Lake:

Ø Formed between Dehra and Pong dam on Beas River built in 1960 which displaced 95 villages.

Ø This is declared as sanctuary in 1983.

Ø    Only place in india other than Bharatpur(Rajasthan) where the rare red necked grebe has been found.

11)   Kareri Lake:

Ø In Dharamshala

Ø Its water falls into Layun River.

12)   Kumarwah lake:

Ø In Chachiot, Mandi

Ø     Gold and Silver offerings accumulated at a shrine nearby are thrown in this lake.

13)  Rewalsar lake: In mandi

Ø It is known as “floating island”.

Ø It is also known as “Padmacan” which means lotus possessing and consider this place where spirit of Padmasambhava rests.

Ø This lake is also associated with Naga Cult or serpent worshipping.

Ø Lake water is floating underground from Rewalsar to “Nagachala”(a 10 km  from Mandi on the Mandi-Shimla National Highway).

 Why Rewalsar Lake named “Padmacan”?

There was a king “Arshadhara” of “Zahor” (the Tibetan name of mandi).His daughter Mandarva resolved to renounce her royal ties and dedicate herself to religious order. She took bow before Bhudhist scholar named “Shantarakshita” (believed to be brother of Padmasambhava). One day Padamsambhav came to give her teachings, a cow herder who saw them spread the news that Mandarva was flirting with a man. Angry King put Mandrava inside a hole full of thorns in earth and tied Padmasambhava to a pyre and set on fire.  When smoke did not clear off for a week the king visited the same place and found to his surprise the place had turned into a lake with lotus at the centre of the lake. Repenting King offered him his Kingdom and princess was married to Padmasambhava.

Ø “Lomash Rishi” held penance in devotion to lord Shiva, overwhelmed Shiva gave the Rishi, the seven floating islands in reward.

Ø   There is a sikh “Gurudwara” built in commemoration of Guru Govind singh’s visit.    

14)  Kunt Bhayog lake:

Ø It is situated at the hill top of rewalasar town mandi.

 15)  Kalasar lake:

Ø Situated at the hill top of rewalasar town.

16)  Sukhsar Lake:

Ø It is on the top of Rewalsar town in mandi.

17)  Pandoh lake:

Ø It is 14 Km form Mandi on Mandi-Kullu NH-21.

Ø Formed by diverting water of Beas River to Satluj at slapper.

18)  Prashar lake:

Ø 30 KM from mandi

Ø A temple Pagoda like three storyed temple is also located here.

Ø Prashar fair is also held here.

19)  Bhrighu lake :

Ø Near Rohtang pass in Kullu.

20)  Servalsar lake:

Ø It is situated on the top of Jalori pass in Kullu.

21)   Mantilai:

Ø It is source of Parbati River in Kullu.

22)   Shringtingu lake:

Ø it is in Kullu, a panaromic view of Bara Banghal is enjoyable form this place.

23)  Chadaranahan lake:

Ø It is situated on “Chansal peak” in Rohru tehsil.

Ø Pabbar River originates from this lake.       

24) Tanu Jubbal :

Ø Near Narkanda ,Shimla.

25) Karali lake:

Ø It is dirty water lake on chhota shali hillock.

Ø Its size is equal to Annadale ground of Shimla.

26) Nako Lake:

Ø Famous for skating

Ø Near Nako village in Kinnaur.

 27)  Sorong lake:

Ø In Kinnuar

 28)  Renuka Lake:

Ø It is about 45 KM from Nahan shaped like sleeping woman.

Ø It was found when mother Renuka was sacrificed by her son Parshuram in obedience to his father.

Ø Renuka fair is held here yearly.

Ø It is biggest natural lake in HP.

Ø Lies in depression formed by a fault in earth’s crust.

Ø It is believed Giri River once use to flow along its bank

29)  Saketi Lake(Suketi):

Ø Near shivalik fossil park in Sirmaur.

Ø Now it is filled with sand.

 30)Suraj Tal :

Ø It also known as lake of sun.

Ø It is source of Bhaga River located opposite Baralacha pass in  Lahual spiti.

 31) Chandra Tal:

Ø Also known as lake of moon.

Ø It is source of Chandra River.

Ø Chinese pilgrim Hieun Tsang called it “Lohitya Sarovar”.

  32) Una so lake:

Ø in Lahaul-Spiti