Unleash the adventure: Find out the top five mountain lakes in India.

Introduction:

Right from the view of clouds hanging below the sky to the sight of the mighty Himalayas, the mountains have a lot to offer. The rich flora and fauna of the mountains have always enthralled us. While in the hills, most of us prefer wandering around a riverside or a waterfall. But, have you ever thought of spending your time by any lake while in the mountains? It is interesting to note that the Indian mountains consist of more than fifty high and low altitude lakes. While most of the mountain lakes in India are yet unexplored, some of them have gained pretty good attention in the past few years. 

 

In this article, we have filtered out the top mountain lakes in the Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh states of India. Some of these lakes are well connected with the metro cities and can be your 'weekend destination.' Let's find out how!

 

 

1) Madhyamaheshwar: 

Mahdhyamaheshwar is not very famous among the travel community and yet remains unexplored. Madhyamaheshwar (or Madhmaheswar) is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand in India. The temple is also among the Panch-Kedars that include Kedarnath, Madhmaheshwar, Tungnath, Rudranath and Kalpeshwar. To reach the temple, you have to trek up 16 kilometres from a place called Ransi. You need to trek one kilometre further to reach the lake. We recommend that you leave early from Ransi and plan camping by the 'lake' itself. The sunrise from the top (lake) will leave you awestruck and, so the view of Mount Chaukhamba. The mighty peaks stand at an aerial distance of just a kilometre from the lake. On a clear morning, you can easily see the reflection of the mountains on the lake. Madhyamaheshwar is one of the best mountain lakes in India for the raw form of nature that it offers. The lake is also famously known as Boodha Madhmaheshwar. 

 

2) Parashar Lake: 

Parashar lake has become a buzzword of the travel community in the past few years. The lake is situated in the Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh in India and is also famous for its floating island. Yes. If you come here in the summers, you can find a small chunk of land floating all across the water, making it a picture-perfect place. But, what attracts people the most about Parashar is the camping arrangement here. If you are an adventure enthusiast, you may plan to set/pitch your tent somewhere around the lake itself. However, during the peak seasons (Xmas weekend, New Year eve, weekends), the area may get crowded. To enjoy the best out of this place, you may plan to visit here after or before the peak seasons. You may also contact the local hotels for camping if you’re planning to go to Bhrigu lake. Ensure to carry proper thermals because the evenings here are freezing, even during the summers. 

 

3) Nainital: 

Nainital is a very famous hill station located in the Uttarakhand state of India. The town is known for its lake called Naini Lake and is a hub of domestic and international tourists around the year. The green Kumaon mountains surround the kidney-shaped Naini lake from all sides, making the water look somewhat greenish. Evenings are beautiful at Nainital when the city lights reflect on the lake water and make the entire town glow. We recommend you visiting Nainital after the monsoon season to enjoy the beauty in its best form. If you are in Nainital for at least two days, you may plan trekking up to 'tiffin top' and Cheena peak here. The two summits are within a stone's throw distance from Nainital and will serve you the best views of the lake. Moreover, this is also the perfect place to capture some photographs for your Instagram. Don't forget to buy the locally crafted candles from the nearby shops here.

 

4) Bhrigu Lake: 

Bhrighu lake is a high-altitude mountain lake located in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh in India. The lake sits at an elevation of around 4,300 metres and can be accessed easily by beginners or novice trekkers. The beautiful lush-green grasslands blanketing the lake add to the magnificence of this place, making it one of the best mountain lakes in India.  The lake derives its name from the famous saint 'Maharishi Bhrigu, a noted legend in astrology,' who meditated here for years. Bhrigu lake is easily accessible as it lies close to some famous hill stations like Manali and Dharamshala. You should plan your visit here between June to mid-October to enjoy the beauty of this place to the fullest. However, after this period, the lake starts freezing due to snowfall in the adjacent areas. The best part about this lake is that it allows you to get astonishing views of the Pir Panjal ranges after a gentle climb.  

 

5) Deoriatal: 

Deoriatal or Devarital is a mountain lake situated in the Ukhimath town of Uttarakhand in India. The lake sits in the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary range and often visited with the Chopta-Tungnath-Chandrashila trek. There are two routes available to reach Deoriatal. The former starting at a village called Sari is a steep climb. The latter commences at Tala village and involves a gentle climb to reach the lake. We suggest you going from Tala and returning from Sari. Following the approach will let you save both energy and time. 

Mount Chaukhamba and Banderpunch peaks are easily visible from Deoriatal on a sunny day. If you are lucky enough, you can see the reflection of these peaks on the lakes too. Being a forest area, we suggest you always taking a porter/guide with you while you go Deoriatal. Some of the resorts in Chopta provide you with complete travel packages that also include trek guides to Tungnath and Deoriatal. The lake can be visited at any time of the year and looks equally beautiful even during the winters. 

 

Conclusion: 

The above mountain lakes in India are all unique in terms of their beauty and environment. Travelling to these destinations will let you learn everything about the mountain lakes. Moreover, this will also lead you to your never-ending journey to the mountains. Kudos!