Himachal Pradesh Lakes

The various lakes in Himachal Pradesh are Renuka Lake, Rewalsar Lake, Khajjiar Lake, Chamera Lake, Dashir Lake, Seruvalsar Lake, Prashar Lake, Bhrigu Lake, Manimahesh Lake, Nako Lake, Suraj Tal Lake, Chandra Tal Lake, Gobind Sagar Lake, Maharana Pratap Sagar Lake and Dal lake.

Rewalsar Lake
Rewalsar Lake is situated at an altitude of 1360 m in Mandi district, 25 kms. from Mandi town. It is square shaped with a shoreline of 735 m, this dark jewel rests on a mountain spur and is protected by a dense vegetation. The spot is held sacred by Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists alike. Legend has it that the great teacher Guru Rimpoche used his enormous power to take fight to Tibet from Rewalsar. It was under his influence that Mahayana Buddhism took root in Tibet at Rewalsar, his spirit is said to reside in the tiny island of floating reed that drifts over the water. There are three Buddhist monasteries at Rewalsar. Rewalsar has three Hindu temples which are dedicated to Lord Krishna, Lord Shiva and to the sage Lomas. A small zoo is maintained near the lake.

Khajjiar Lake
Khajjiar Lake is situated at an altitude of 1900 meters in Chamba district, 23 kms. from Dalhousue and 25 kms. from Chamba. Fed by tiny streams, this small lake lies at in the centre of large Khajjiar glade. The glade and the lake are held sacred to Khajjinag- after whom the place is named. Khajjiar has thick forest of the Kalatope sanctuary surrounding its soft green grass.

Chamera Lake
In Chamba district, the Chamera dam is built over the river Ravi. Phase-I of the project generates 540 MW of electricity. Phase-II which is under way will add another 300 MW. The lake offers a variety of water sports.

Dashir Lake
Dashir Lake is situated at an altitude of 4270 meters near the Rohtang pass that connects district Kullu and Lahaul. Also known as Dashaur and Sarkund this attractive lake has a depth of 3 meters.

temple dedicated to the sage lies by the lake. The Prashar rishi is said to have meditated here. Its remarkable setting is enhanced by a frame of snow draped peaks visible from the lake's edge, the water of the river Sutlej flows due south. The lake side and the near by villages are sites of various festival held at different times of the year.

Bhrigu Lake
Bhrigu Lake is situated at an altitude of 4235 meters in Kullu district. This lake lies east of the Rohtang Pass and is about 6 kms. from the village of Gulaba. The shores of this clear water lake are devoid of human habitation, yet it is visited regularly by the people of the area and is held sacred to 'Rishi' Brighu. It also lies on several trek routes of the region.

Manimahesh Lake
Manimahesh Lake is situated at an altitude of 4080 meters in Chamba district, 35 kms. from Bharmaur. This lake is held sacred to Lord Shiva. This lake in the Bundhil valley at the foot of Manimahesh ranges. The peaks of Manimahesh Kailash is regarded as one of the mythical abodes of Shiva. This is the venue of annual Manimahesh Yatra.

Nako Lake
Nako Lake is located at an altitude of 3662 meters in the Pooh sub-division of Kinnaur district. The lake is surrounded by willow and poplar trees and the village seems to be half buried by the lake's borders. On the northern side, are four Buddhist temples with stucco image impressions ascribed to saint Padmasambhava.

Kunzum Pass in Lahaul and Spiti district that connects Spiti and Lahaul areas. Surrounded by snows and acres of scree, this deep blue-water lake has a circumference of 2.5 km. This is the source of the river Chandra. According to some believers, this is the spot from where the god Indra's chariot took the eldest Pandava brother, Yudhishtra to 'Swarga' (heaven) in his mortal form.

Gobind Sagar
Gobind Sagar Lake is the vast reservoir in the Bilaspur and Una. The Gobind Sagar Lake on river Sutlej, has been created by the huge hydel dam at Bhakra and is named in honour of Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh guru. One of the world's highest gravity dams, the Bhakra rises 225.5 m above its lowest foundations. Under the supervision of the famous American dam-builder, Harvey Slocum, work began in 1955 and was completed in 1962. Incidentally, Slocum had no formal training as an engineer, but his conceptions and designs have proven successful. To maintain the level of water, the flow of river Beas was also channeled to Gobind Sagar by the Beas-Sutlej link which was completed in 1976. Today, this dam feeds electricity and water to a large area the Gobind Sagar reservoir is 90 km. long and encompasses an area of approximately 170 square km. There are provisions for water sports, speed boats and ferry rides. In October and November, when the water level of the reservoir is at its peak, a series of regattas are also organized by the department of Tourism and Civil Aviation. Water-skiing, sailing, kayaking and water scooter racing are popular water sports activities during this period.

Maharana Pratap Sagar Lake
Maharana Pratap Sagar Lake is located in Kangra district, about 110 kms. from the district headquarters Dharamshala. The lake was named in honour of great patriot Maharana Pratap (1572 - 97 AD). Maharana Pratap Sagar was once known as Pong Dam Reservoir. Its reservoir has an area of 45,000 hectares at maximum flooding, the level varies with every season and average around 30,000 hectares. The settlements of Nagrota Suriyan and Jawalaji are located on the Sagar’s periphery. Over 200 villages with a population of 85,000 people are scattered along the wetland. In 1983, the Sagar was declared a wildlife sanctuary and over 220 species of birds belonging to 54 families have been sighted over the waters like black headed gulls, plovers, terns, ducks and 27 Species and sub species of fish belonging to six families. The land portion of the sanctuary has barking dear, sambar, wild boar, leopard. There is a branch of Directorate of Mountaineering and Allied Sports at the Sagar and various activities include swimming, water skiing, surfing, rowing and sailing. The Directorate of Tourism and Civil Aviation provides various equipment at the Sagar like sail boats, paddle boats, speed aero boats. Various courses for beginners, intermediate and advanced are also conducted at the Sagar.

Dal Lake
Dal Lake is situated at an altitude of 1775 meters in Kangra district, about 11 kms. from Dharamshala. This lake is surrounded by deodar trees. This sacred lake has a small Shiva temple on its banks. The banks of the lake are enlivened during September by a fair attended by a large number of Gaddi folk.