Here is a brief description of the beautiful natural lakes of Chamba
Khajjiyar Lake (Mini Switzerland)
Khajiyar Lake is located between Chamba and Dalhousie in Himachal Pradesh. Khajiyar Lake is located in Khajiyar, in the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh, India.
It is a natural and very beautiful lake, it is situated at an altitude of about 1900 meters above sea level. Its area is about 5000 square yards.
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| Khajjiar Lake |
The name of Khajiyar lake is taken from Khajji Nag, the deity of the nearby temple. It is set in a vast meadow with evergreen deodar surroundings.
Khajjiar has dense forests around the Kalatop Sanctuary.
It has a rare combination of three ecosystems: lakes, pastures, and forests, all in one place.
On 7 July 1992, Mr. Willie T. Blazer, Vice Counselor and Head of Chancery, Switzerland in India, brought Khajiar to the world tourism map, naming it "Mini Switzerland".
Mahakali Lake
Located to the north of the Upper Churah, Nosradhar has a distinctive place in the skyscraper chain, a wonderful place for the Rudra lord, Gandasu (Gadasaru) Mahadeva. It is about 3,460 meters (11,320 ft) in height. This area is spread over an area of about 1.5 to 2 km. There is a green meadow on either side of the lake.
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| Mahakali Lake |
image source :- hpchamba
On the other side of Dal Lake are some small balls. Walking along those lines is even more amazing, such as walking on a soft mattress. According to direct-philosophy, many types of miracles exist in this region. Another lake is about 1½km which is absolutely black and very scary. It is called Mahakali lake. The mountains to the north-east of the lake are exactly like Shivling. To the north-west of this lake, there are two mountain sections which are connected to each other, which is known as 'sin-virtue'.
There is also a festival of Gandasu Mahadev with Manimahesh Nahon. It is the only lake in all the Dal Lake in Chamba district, to visit the dal while circling it.
On this trip, some devotees have made arrangements for the local people in place of Devikothi, and similarly, the Gandasu Mahadev Langar Committee has arranged the langar on behalf of Tisa in the parikrama
How to reach
The nearest airport is at Pathankot, 120 km from Chamba. Other accessible airports are Kangra (136 km), Amritsar (243 km) and Chandigarh (347 km).
By Train
The nearest railway station is at Pathankot, 120 km from Chamba. Regular trains from New Delhi to Pathankot.
By Bus
Himachal Road Transport Corporation runs long-distance services across the state from Shimla, Solan, Kangra, Dharamshala and Pathankot and from the surrounding states of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh (UT).
Private buses, serving everywhere, frequent and frequent commutes. After reaching Chamba, it takes about 100 kilometers to Bairagarh (Churah) and 16 kilometers to Devikothi. From this point onwards there is a walk.
Manimahesh Lake
Manimahesh, who always tried to climb this snow-covered mythological mountain, became a stone. Believe me even today we have not got any courage to reach the top of this mountain. Know what is the truth here.Yes, it is completely true that one of the five Kailas who tried to climb Manimahesh mountain became a stone. However, in some Kailashas one travels to the peak of the mountain. But this is not possible here.
Local people believe that once Gadaria along with her sheep started climbing the top of Mount Manimahesh. But as he moved upwards, all his sheep became stones one by one. Even after this, when Gadaria was not accepted, eventually he was also transformed into rock.
Manimahesh Lake located in Bharmour in Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh, Manimahesh is also known as Tarkoi's Mountain, which means Vaidyuramani or Sapphire. Situated at an elevation of 18500 feet above sea level, Manimahesh is considered to be the abode of Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati.
In the year 1968, a mountaineer tried to climb this mountain but it was not successful. However, no evidence of its formation has been found. But despite this, till date, Manimahesh has not got any courage to climb the mountain.
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| Manimahesh Lake |
By the way, the evidence of Manimahesh Yatra is found from the beginning of creation. But in 520 AD there is a mention of the Amnimahesh Yatra by Bharmour King Maru Verma to offer prayers to Lord Shiva. But the current travel is told from 1920. At that time the Vashanja king Sahil Varma (Shaila Varma) of the Maru dynasty was the king of Bharmour.
They did not have any child. Once an eighty-four yogi sage came to his capital. Pleased by the king's humility and respect, the boon of these 84 yogis resulted in eleven children including ten sons of King Sahil Verma and a girl named Champavati.
On this, the king built a group of 84 temples in Bharmour in honor of these 84 Yogis, of which a Shiva temple named Manimahesh and a Devi temple named Lakshana Devi are of special importance. This entire temple group still offers a sample of the high art-culture of that time.
It begins with a place called Hadassar (ancient name Harsar). From here onwards the mountainous route is the only medium which is decided by walking or riding horse-mules. Once upon a time, the trek started from Chamba. After the road was built, the journey started from Bharmour. Now this journey generally starts from Hadsar.
Gaurikund arrives ahead of Dhanchho and two kilometers before Manimahesh Sarovar. During the journey, free langar service is provided by the NGOs to the passengers. Manimahesh-Sarovar, situated about one and a half kilometers from Gaurikund, is the last stop for common travelers and devotees.
It is worth noting that the lake with Kailash is ubiquitous. In Tibet there is Mansarovar with Kailash, Parvati Kund with Adi-Kailash and Manimahesh Sarovar with Kailash in Bharmour.
Here the devotees take a bath in the ice cold water of the lake. Then offer their reverent worship at the white stone Shivalinga statue (which is said to be of the sixth century) installed on the banks of the lake.
The huge and skyscraper sapphire situated in the east direction from Manimahesh Sarovar has the view of the snow-capped Mount Kailash with the virtue of religion.
Just below the summit of Mount Kailash, a small peak surrounded by snow is visible in Pindi form. According to local people, it is always visible even when there is heavy snowfall. Devotees consider this as Shiva and greet him.
According to local beliefs, six months from the beginning of spring and till the end of the rainy season, Lord Shiva resides on the family Kailash. After this, for six months from autumn to spring, they descend from Kailash and reside in Patalpur (Payalpur).
Similarly, a fair organized on Mahashivaratri falling in the month of Phagun is held to commemorate the return of Lord Shiva to Kailash. This place is also very picturesque in terms of tourism. This Kailash mountain can also be revolved, but for this mountaineering training and equipment are very important.
But even today, the traditional wandering journey by the local Brahmins and Sadhus, according to the ancient tradition, begins at the historic Lakshminarayana temple in Chamba. The distance from Hadsar to Manimahesh-Kailash is about 15 kilometers, in the middle of which lies a place called Dhanchho. Where food and night rest facilities are available.
How to reach Manimahesh Lake and the best time to visit Manimahesh lake?
The annual Manimahesh Yatra commences at a place called Hadsar which is about 17 kilometers from Bharmour, about 82 kilometers from Chamba and about 220 kilometers from Pathankot. Pathankot in Punjab is the nearest railway station for the Manimahesh-Kailas journey on the Delhi-Udhampur main railroad.
The nearest airport to reach here is in Kangra district. Hadsar is well connected by Himachal State Transport buses. Direct bus services from neighboring states and Delhi to Chamba are also available.
Walking is also a condition connected with the hill stations of Shiva. Kailash, Adi Kailash or Manimahesh Kailash are all inaccessible icy places. Therefore, people going here need minimum health.
Along with this, devotees should also keep necessary warm clothes and medicines with them at all times. Apart from an annual trek to Manimahesh Lake can also be visited. The time of May, September, and October are suitable for this.
"And the last is the most beautiful lake where there is a wonderful trek to reach."
Lam Dal Lake
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| Lam Dal Lake |
image source:- medium.com
Lam Dal Lake is the largest and deepest here with a circumference of about 3 kilometers. And it is situated at an altitude of about 4200 meters. Devotees take a dip in this lake during the Manimahesh Yatra. In early September and the end of August.
Lam Dal Lake is the largest and deepest here with a circumference of about 3 kilometers. And it is situated at an altitude of about 4200 meters. Devotees take a dip in this lake during the Manimahesh Yatra. In early September and the end of August.
- Area: - Bharmour, Chamba (HP)
- Height: - 4200 m
- Season: - July - October
- Length of trek: - about 30 km
- Trek Attractions: - Himalayan flora and fauna.
- Trek: - Bharmour - Kali Kund Lake - Lam Dal Lake - Bharmour
Lam dal trek depends entirely on the weather and physical condition of the trekker.
