Parashar Lake - A Wonder of Nature

Situated 49 km east of Mandi in the Indian State of Himachal Pradesh at a height of 2,730 m (8,960 ft) above sea level, Parashar Lake encompasses a three storied pagoda-like temple dedicated to the sage Parashar who is believed to have been meditated there. The water of the lake is pristine deep blue in colour and is surrounded by majestic snow-capped Himalayan peaks, with views of the mighty river Beas. There are various mysteries associated with the lake.

The floating island is one very fascinating characteristic of the lake. The island occupies 21% of the lake area, while the remaining 79% is water. Interestingly, this is the same as the land and water proportion of the earth. People think that the lake is a miniature of the earth and that the floating island is its axis of rotation. The island floats east in the morning and arrives west in the afternoon. No one has been able to comprehend the mystery behind the floating nature of this island which makes it very intriguing and a wonder of nature.Another mystery associated with the lake is that the depth of the lake is yet not known even after many attempts by several experts from across the globe. This has led people to call it “a bottomless lake”.

As per ancient history, once it did not rain, the sage Parashar prayed to Lord Ganesha, and he himself bought rain there. From then on, whenever this place witnesses the lack of rain, the locals pray to Lord Ganesha, and he descends to bring the rain. In addition, it is also believed that various gods and goddesses come to bathe in the lake.

One of the famous folklores about the lake is that after the Kurukshetra war when the Pandavas and deity Kamrunag were returning, Lord Kamrunag found the place so tranquil and serene that he wanted to settle there forever. As a result of which Bhima (the strongest of the Pandava brothers) rammed his elbow onto one of the mountains, creating a depression that is today known as Lake Parashar. region later came to be known also as Kamru Valley, and the lake also as Kamrunag Lake after the deity Kamrunag.

The trail to Lake Parashar Lake is both serene and adventurous at the same time. While the dense Himalayan Forest lends it serenity, its moderately steep and slippery climb makes it adventurous but worth it nonetheless. Initially, the ascent is easy but 15 minutes into the trek, the trail becomes moderately steep. The lush green meadows encountered on the way with the beautiful sight of snow-capped mountains make the journey even more worthwhile. Trekking for another 4-5 hours brings you to the much-awaited heaven-like majestic Lake Parashar. There are two trek routes that are available to reach up to the Parashar Lake- one from Baggi Village and from Panarsa.

The one from Panarsa is the more preferred due to the scenic beauty that it offers. Also, the excellent road conditions throughout the year make it even more preferable. Panarsa, located 60 km away from Mandi is easily accessible via road. From here, a journey of another 25 km via cab/taxi will bring you to Jwalapur village is the base camp for the trek. On the way to the village, one can witness plenty of apple orchards and free-flowing streams which becomes a heart-warming sight. From Jwalapur Village a trek of 8 km, lined with alpine forests brings you to the majestic Parashar lake.
Bhuntar airport is the nearest airport to Panarsa, from here cabs can be taken to reach Panarsa. There are no direct trains that run to Panarsa from Delhi (considering it a general starting point), but the three nearest stations which have well-established connectivity include - Kalka (223km), Ropar (253 km), and Pathankot (204 km). The roads are well constructed too and the connectivity up to Lake Parashar is well established.

Lake Parashar is a place with which its tranquillity demands you to take off your baggage of worries and absolutely relax yourself. Different people visit the Lake in different seasons as per their comfort and convenience. While some people prefer to have an easy and safe journey in the summer months from March to May with the sight of lush green meadows while others prefer taking up the adventurous journey in the winter months from December to February when the lake is almost frozen and the whole land is covered under thick sheets of snow. The months from June to August are not much recommended due to safety threats associated with the monsoon season.
Therefore, one can proudly say that the untainted and raw beauty of the Lake Parashar, nestled in the intriguing mystique land of Himachal Pradesh is undoubtedly something that can make every heart and soul feel truly alive.