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About
Khecheopalri Lake |
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Khecheopalri Lake, initially known as Kha-Chot-Palri (meaning
the heaven of Padmasambhava), is a sacred Lake for both Hindus
and Buddhists, which is considered to be a wish fulfilling
lake. It is located near Khecheopalri village about 147
kilometres (91 mi) west of Gangtok and 34 kilometres (21 mi)
to the northwest of Pelling town in the West Sikkim district
of the Northeastern Indian state of Sikkim. The local name for
the lake is Sho Dzo Sho, which means "Oh Lady, Sit Here". The
popular known name of the lake, considering its location is
Khecheopalri Lake, ensconced in the midst of the
Khechoedpaldri hill, which is also considered as a sacred
hill.
An interesting feature of Khecheopalri Lake is that leaves are
not allowed to float on the lake, which is ensured by the
birds which vigorously pick them up as soon as they drop into
the lake surface.
The Khecheopalri Lake is also part of Buddhist religious
pilgrimage circuit involving the Yuksom, the Dubdi Monastery
in Yuksom, the Rabdentse ruins, Pemayangtse Monastery, the
Tashiding Monastery and the Sanga Choeling Monastery. The
Khecheopalri Lake and the Khangchendzonga National Park are
conserved from the biodiversity perspective with ecotourism
and pilgrimage as essential off shoots. As a result, their
recreational and sacredness values are enhanced.
The lake is a vital part of the much honored valley of "Demazong"
meaning valley of rice. This landscape is also known as a land
of hidden treasures blessed by Guru Padmasambhava.The climate prevailing in the lake region is monsoonal. The
maximum and minimum temperatures recorded are 24 °C (75 °F)
and 4 °C (39 °F). |
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Flora and fauna |
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Vegetation
The lake is enclosed by a broad-leaved mixed temperate forest.
However, the vegetation in the lake comprises Phytoplankton,
Macrophytes and Zooplankton.The Phytoplankton species are a composition of different
families namely, Chlorophyceae which is the foremost group,
Chrysophyceae, Cyanophyceae and one species each of
Euglenophyceae, Dinophyceae, Charophyceae and Cryptophyceae.Macrophytes comprised Aponogeton monostachyon, Scirpus
sp.,Ceratophyllum sp., Monocharia vaginalis. The Zooplanktons
recorded are: 7 rotifers, 5 protozoans, 2 each of copepods and
cladocerans, and 1 each of ostracods andisopods.
Avifauna
The avifauna recorded in the lake, particularly in the festive
season when they gather in the early hours of the morning
(dispersed with human presence) at the middle of the lake are:
White-breasted waterhen (Amaurornis phoenicurus), common teal (Anascrecca),
grebe (Podiceps ruficollis), little cormorant (phalacrocorax
niger), common merganser– Mergus merganser, large cormorant (phalacrocorax
carbo), tufted duck (Aythya fuligula), moorhen (gallimlachorophy)
and crane brown Amaurornisbi colour. The lake is also a
resting-place for Trans-Himalayan migratory birds and supports
commercial and recreational tourism. Trans Himalayan migratory
birds visit the lake.
Aquatic fauna
The fish species recorded in the lake are: Danio aequipinnatus,
Schziothoraxsp, Cyprinus carpio, Garra sp, and Schistura sp. |
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Topography of Khecheopalri Lake |
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Khecheopalri Lake lake is located amidst the pristine forest at
an elevation of 1,700 metres (5,600 ft) near Tsozo village. The
formation of the lake is estimated to be 3500 years old. The
lake drains a catchment area of the Ramam watershed (Ramam
mountain gives its name to the valley) and has a drainage area
of square kilometres (4.6 sq mi) (including area of bog of
70,100 square metres (755,000 sq ft). The periphery of lake has
the shape of a foot. The surface water spread area of the lake
is 3.79 hectares (9.4 acres). The depth of water in the lake
varies from 3.2–11.2 metres (10–37 ft) with an average depth of
7.2 metres (24 ft).
The lake was the original névé (term used to define formation of
a glacier from compact granular snow) region of ancient
precipitous glaciers. The depression where the lake is situated
was formed by the scooping action of the glacier. It forms the
southern bank of the Lethang valley.
It is also inferred from a visual observation of the lake that
it has undergone changes in its size due to encroachment due to
peripheral vegetation and eutrophication, and its original size
could have been three times of its present size. The lake's
water spread, which was 7.4 hectares (18 acres) in 1963 which
reduced to 3.8 hectares (9.4 acres) in 1997 and thus the
peatland (bog) increased from 3.4–7 hectares (8.4–17 acres).
Inflow into the lake is through two persistent and five non
persistent streams, while the outflow is from one outlet. In
addition, during the monsoon season two streams are also
diverted temporarily into the lake to supplement its storage
capacity. The geological setting in the lake and its adjacent
hills consist of granite gneiss, schist and phyllites.
The lake is enveloped in a dense forest cover of temperate
vegetation and bamboo. 72 households and 440 people live in
villages around the lake periphery. The Lepchas are the main
ethnic group of the place. Traditional agriculture is the main
livelihood and recently some households have become involved in
tourism. Pelling–Yuksom road leads to the lake, which is
enclosed by densely forested hills. There is also a monastery
above the lake. |
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Facilities |
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Now,
there is a lake Jetty that leads to the front of the lake and
from where prayers and incense are offered. Prayer wheels are
fixed along the jetty with prayer flags and Tibetan
inscriptions, adding to the holiness of the place.Annual Buddhist rituals from the readings of the Naysul prayer
book, which describes the origin of Sikkim and has several
tantric secret prayers, are chanted at the lake. |
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Etymology of Khecheopalri Lake |
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According to folklore morphometry, Khecheopalri is made up of
two words, Kheecheo and palri. 'Khecheo' means "flyingyoginis"
or "Taras" (female manifestations of Avalokiteshvara, the
Bodhisattva of Compassion) and 'palri' means "palace".
Legends associated with Khecheopalri Lake
According to folklore legend related to Sikkim topography, the
Khecheopalri is said to represent one of the four plexus of the
human body namely, the thorax; the other three plexes are said
to be represented by Yuksom (the third eye), Tashiding (head)
and Pemayangtse (the heart).
The mythological links to the origin of all the lakes in Sikkim
make them sacred and so is the case with the Khecheopalri Lake.
Various legends are narrated such as: Guru Padmasambahava
preached to sixty-four yoginis here; it is the residing place of
the Goddess Tara Jetsun Dolma and the Khecheopalri Lake is her
footprint; the lake indicates the Goddess Chho Pema; footprints
of Macha Zemu Rinpoche are on a stone near the chorten (stupa)
near the lake; Hindu god Lord Shiva meditated in Dupukney Cave
that is situated above the lake and hence worshipped on "Nag
Panchami" day at the lake; a Lepcha girl named Nenjo Asha Lham
was blessed by the lake goddess and was gifted with a precious
gem which was lost, and it is the belief of the local people
that the gem is hidden in the lake; the lake water has remedial
properties and hence permitted to be used only for performing
rites and rituals; and with all these legends, the lake is
called a "wish fulfilling lake".
This lake was also identified as the footprints of Goddess Tara,
as from a high vantage point the contours of the lake appear
like a footprint. Another belief is that the foot prints are of
Hindu god Lord Shiva. The lake because of its high religious
significance has been declared as a protected lake.The sacredness of the lake is represented by another legend,
which says that the shape of the lake is in the form of foot
that symbolizes the foot of Lord Buddha, which could be seen
from the surrounding hills.
Another folk legend narrated (a plaque erected at the entrance
to the lake by the Department of Ecclesiastical Affairs,
Government of Sikkim gives some details of the legend) is that
long time back this place was used to be a grazing ground,
troubled by nettle. Then, on a particular day, a Lepcha couple
were peeling off the bark of the nettle when they saw a pair of
conch shields falling from air on the ground. This was followed
by cruel shaking of the ground and spring water emerged from
below and thus the lake was formed. Based on the holy Nesol
text, the lake was interpreted as the abode of "Tshomen Gyalmo
or chief protective nymph of the Dharma as blessed by Goddess
Tara".
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Festival and Religiosity |
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As the sacred Khecheopalri Lake is known as a "wish
fulfilling lake", folklore and legends associated with it
are many. The folk lore has generated deep religious
interest and as a result lake's waters are permitted to be
used only for performing customs and traditions.
Consequently, a religious fair, one of the largest
festivals, is held here every year for two days in Maghe
purne (March/April), which is attended by a large number of
pilgrims from all parts of Sikkim, Nepal, Bhutan, and India.
They offer food material to the lake and carry waters of the
lake as Prasad (substance that is first offered to a deity
and then consumed). People consider that Lord Shiva exists
in "solemn meditation inside the lake". During this
festival, pilgrims float butter lamps in the lake on bamboo
boats tied with khadas (scared scarves), in the evenings
chanting prayers as mark of reverence, along with many other
food offerings.
Chho-Tsho, is another festival that is observed here in the
month of October after the cardamom harvest to offer
gratitude for providing people with food.
The serene waters of the lake are visited by many pilgrims
and tourists. From the main gate, where there are small
shops and road ends to the lake is about a ten to fifteen
minutes walk through a lovely tropical forest. |
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How To Reach There |
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Most
tourists visit Khecheoplari as part of the full day sightseeing
of Pelling. The tour starts at Pelling and continues through
Darap Village and Rimbi falls before reaching Khecheoplari. The
lake can also be reached through Yuksom through Singshore bridge
and Kanchenjunga falls.
Safety Tips
On September 2011 one woman got food poisoned (and need
hospitalization) by a woman (with daughters) who lives in the
village, who has a small kitchen in the small village before the
lake and sells momo to tourists and also has some rooms to rent
for sleep. So please tourists be careful of what you eat there! |
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