Himachal Pradesh is a beautiful hilly state situated in the western Himalayas. There are numerous lakes spread across the entire region of Himachal Pradesh. Most of the lakes in Himachal Pradesh are natural lakes, made by drainage of snow capped mountain peaks or glaciers in upper reaches of Himachal Pradesh. There are artificial lakes or man made lakes in Himachal Pradesh as well. These man made lakes are formed by the reservoir of the dams built on various rivers of the state.
These natural lakes of Himachal Pradesh are the source of origin of many rivers of the state. Lakes of Himachal Pradesh plays an important role in ensuring water security of not only Himachal Pradesh but also of the neighbouring state like Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana.
Lakes in Himachal Pradesh have religious significance too. Many lakes of Himachal Pradesh are revered by the believers of Buddhism, Hinduism and Sikhism. You will find many important shrines and temples beside lakes in Himachal Pradesh. Many fairs and festivals including jatras are organised by followers of various religions to these holy lakes every year.
Lakes in Himachal Pradesh attracts tourists and adventure loving trekkers from various parts of the world. Lakes of Himachal Pradesh are known for their scenic beauty and serenity. In this article we will discuss important lakes of Himachal Pradesh from competitive exam point of view. Lakes in Himachal Pradesh is an important topic for various competitive exams of HP and question from this topic is asked in almost all the exams.
Lakes in Himachal Pradesh :- HP GK
A lake is body of water surrounded on all sides by land. Most lakes of Himachal Pradesh are snow-fed which means they get their water from the melting of snow from mountains. There are well known 25 natural lakes as they have originated in tropical, subtropical, temperate and alpine regions. On the basis of their origin all the Himachal lakes may be classified into five different kinds namely the Salt lakes, Glacial lakes, Remnant lakes, Natural dam lakes and structural lakes.
Some of the famous lakes are :
1.) Lakes in Bilaspur District :- Govind Sagar Lake
A.) Govind Sagar Lake :- Largest Man-made lake in Himachal Pradesh.
- It is the largest artificial lake of Himachal Pradesh.
- It is formed due to construction of Bhakra-Nangal Dam on river Satluj.
- The area of this lake is 168 sq. km
- It exists between Slappar and Bhakra Villages at 88 km length.
2.) Lakes in Chamba District :- Ghadasaru Lake, Khajjiar Lake, Lama Lake, Manimahesh Lake and Mahakali Lake.
A.) Ghadasaru Lake :- It is located in Churah valley of Chamba district.
B.) Khajjiar Lake :-
- A small picturesque saucer-shaped plateau surrounded by dense pine and deodar forests.
- It is 24 kms from Dalhousie
- A temple dedicated to Khajjia Nag is also located here.
- Khajjiar is also known as “Mini Switzerland” officially baptized by swiss envoy Willy P. Blazer on July 7, 1992.
C.) Lama Lake :-
- ‘Lama Dal’ means a long lake.
- It is a group of 7 lakes.
- Its depth is unknown.
- Local Gaddi tribe visit this lake on Janamastami.
- This lake is held sacred to Lord Shiva.
D.) Manimahesh Lake :-
- Manimahesh Lake is situated 26 kms from Bharmour in the Budhil Valley.
- Lake is situated at the foot of the Kailash peak.
- It is believed to blessed by Goddess Kali and protected by Lord Shiva.
- Manimahesh yatra is held every year. Lord Shiva is the presiding deity of this yatra.
E.) Mahakali Lake :-
- It is located in Churah valley of Chamba District.
- A famous Kali Temple is situated near the lake from where it gets its name.
3.) Lakes in Kangra District :- Dal Lake, Kareri Lake and Pong Lake.
A.) Dal Lake :-
- It is located in Dharamshala a famous town in district Kangra.
- It is also known as Bhagsunag Lake.
- A famous Lord Shiva temple is located on its bank.
- According to a legend a sage named Durvasa prayed to Lord Shiva here.
B.) Kareri Lake :-
- It is located in Dharamshala.
- It is also known as Kumarwah Lake.
- It is the source of Nyund river.
C.) Pong Lake :-
- It is also known as Maharana Pratap Sagar .
- It is man made reservoir formed due to construction of Pong Dam on Beas river.
- It is a famous wildlife sanctuary (declared in 1983).
- Pong Dam Lake was declared a Ramsar site in 2002.
- It was built in 1975.
4.) Lakes in Mandi District :- Kumarwah Lake, Rewalsar Lake, Prashar Lake, Kunt Bhayog lake, Kalasar Lake and Sukhsar Lake.
A.) Kumarwah Lake :-
- Kumarwah Lake is also known as Kamrunag Lake.
- It is located in Chachiot, Mandi.
- There is a tradition of offering gold, silver and coins in the lake by devotees on the fulfilment of their wishes by Dev Kamrunag.
B.) Rewalsar Lake :-
- It is also known as Tso Pema
- Rewalsar is an important religious place for Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists.
- It is famous for its floating reed islands and fishes.
- Hindu, Sikh and Buddhist shrines exist along the periphery of the lake.
- This lake is also known as ‘floating island’.
More About Rewalsar Lake
C.) Kunt Bhayog Lake :-
- It is one of the lake situated in Sarkidhar (Rewalsar).
- It is situated at the hill top of Rewalsar town.
- Legend has it, when Pandavas were passing through this area, Kunti felt thirsty and asked Arjuna for water. But at that time there was no water. So he created this lake with his arrow.
D.) Kalasar Lake :-
- It is situated at the hill top of Rewalsar town.
- It is also one of the lakes of Sarkidhar.
- Sarkidhar is made up of ‘Sar’ – lake and dhar – ‘hill’ which means hill of lakes.
E.) Sukhsar Lake :-
- It is also one of the lakes of Sarkidhar.
- It is situated at the hill top of Rewalsar town.
F.) Prashar Lake :-
- It is about 50 km form Mandi District.
- There is a floating island in Prashar lake.
- It is believed that the lake was formed as a result of striking of rod (Gurj) by Rishi Prashar and water came out and took the shape of the lake.
- Pagoda style temple dedicated to Rishi Prashar is located near the lake.
- ‘Saranauhali’ fair is held in Prashar lake.
5.) Lakes in Kullu District :- Servalsar Lake, Bhrigu Lake and Dashahr Lake.
A.) Servalsar Lake :-
- It is situated on the top of Jalori Pass in Kullu District.
- It is situated in Tirthan Valley of Himachal Pradesh.
B.) Bhrigu Lake :-
- It is located to the east of Rohtang Pass in Kullu District of HP.
- It is known as the place where the famous saint Maharishi Bhrigu sat in deep meditation.
C.) Dashahr Lake :-
- Dashaur Lake is located close to Rohtang Pass in Kullu District.
- It is also known with different names like Dashir, Sarkund and Sheela Sar.
- It is believed that lake has therapeutic abilities and a dip will heal you of numerous ailments.
6.) Lakes in Lahaul-Spiti District :- Unam-So Lake, Surajtal Lake and Chandratal Lake.
A.) Unam-So Lake :-
- Unam-So Lake is located in Lahaul valley.
- Yuman So lake gets it name from a mountain peak or glacier known as Yuman.
- It is located near Baralacha La Pass.
B.) Surajtal Lake :-
- It is also known as “Lake of the Sun”.
- It is the source of Bhaga river located opposite to Baralacha La Pass in Lahaul Spiti.
C.) Chandratal Lake :-
- It is known as the “The Moon Lake”.
- The name of the lake originate from its crescent shape.
- It is the source of the river Chandra.
- The Chinese traveler Heiun Tsang as “Lohitya Sarovar”.
- Chandratal Lake is in Spiti part of the Lahaul & Spiti District.
7.) Lakes in Shimla District :- Chandranahan Lake and Tanu Jubbal Lake.
A.) Chandranahan Lake :-
- It is situated in on “Chansal Peak” in Rohru Tehsil of Shimla District.
- It is the source of Pabbar river.
- It is a small lake fed by several springs and melting snow.
B.) Tanu Jubbal Lake :-
- It is located near Narkanda in Shimla District.
8.) Lakes in Kinnaur District :- Nako Lake.
A.) Nako Lake :-
- It is located in Hangrang Valley of Kinnaur District.
- Nako is a small village settlement near the lake.
- It is believed that Guru Padamasambhava meditated near the lake.
9.) Lakes in Sirmaur District :- Renuka Lake and Saketi Lake.
A.) Renuka Lake :-
- It is located at a distance of 37 km from Nahan in Sirmaur District.
- Its shape is like a sleeping woman.
- Legend has it that when the evil Sahasarjuna killed the sage Jamadagini and tried to abduct his wife Renuka. She flung herself into the water. The gods restored her to life and this lake is regarded to be her embodiment.
- In November every year, a fair is held to celebrate the union of Lord Parshuram with his mother Goddess Renuka.
- Renuka Lake is the largest natural lake of Himachal Pradesh.
B.) Saketi Lake :-
- It is located near Shiwalik Fossil Park in Sirmaur District.
- It was a lake earlier but now it is filled with sand and stones form near by hills.
These are the famous and important lakes in Himachal Pradesh for competitive exam point of view. Try the given Lakes of Himachal Pradesh HP GK quiz to check how well you have understood this article on Lakes in Himachal Pradesh.
Try Quiz :- Lakes of Himachal Pradesh :- HP GK Quiz
For More Related Articles :-