Did you know these 10 weird facts about Prashar Lake?

Prashar Lake is located around 100 km from Manali, in Himachal Pradesh. At the onset, it is merely a slightly circular, freshwater lake that has a 3 storeyed temple dedicated to Prashar Rishi on its banks. But if you delve deep into the tidbits that make this lake amazingly weird, you’ll be truly amazed!

Let’s cover the basics before delving into the intriguing bits. The Prashar Lake trek usually takes 2 days to complete which makes it perfect for a weekend trip. Summer months are great to embark on the Prashar Lake trek but winters are equally alluring. This Himachali trek receives a really good amount of snow every year, making it a dream destination for travellers even during the winter. The Prashar Lake trek distance is about 8 km which is ideal for beginners as well as moderately- trained trekkers. The lake’s unique floating island-like appearance coupled with its scenic beauty makes it a popular attraction for travellers across the world.

How about we talk about the interesting facts about the Prashar lake:

1. Prashar Lake is a Holomictic lake

Are you familiar with the word “Holomictic”? There are very few Holomictic lakes in India– Dal Lake in Jammu and Kashmir, and Naini Lake in Uttrakhand are notable examples. A Holomictic lake is a type of lake where the water column mixes completely at least once a year. And the mixing is usually driven by the density of the water, seasonal variation and oxygen distribution. Its peculiarity might not be visible to the naked eye but it is truly a one-of-a-kind lake and worth the visit.

Holomictic lake has a uniform temperature (Credits: Instagram - junni_dar)

2. It is a sacred lake

Prashar Lake is one of the holiest lakes in India due to its spiritual significance. This faith comes from a long-time belief that sage Prashar meditated on the banks of this lake. The energy of the temple is believed to purify the space and empower anybody who visits the temple premises. In fact, access to the sanctorum is strictly limited to the temple priests. Visitors can meditate, pray and seek calmness in their surroundings.  

3. The lake has a floating island in between

A very interesting tidbit is that the little landmass on the lake is actually a tiny buoyant island. It is made up of phudmis, which are floating island mats. The mats consist of organic matter such as grasses, reeds and soil held together by the roots. This island takes up only 7% of the lake but changes its look completely. Interestingly enough, the remainder of oxygen in the plant's roots is what keeps the island floating. The Phudmis can move across the water surface due to wind and water currents which is why it seems as though the lake changes its position quite frequently.

View of the scenic floating island of Prashar lake

4. Prashar lake history

According to local folklore, Prashar Lake and the temple were built by King Ban Sen of Mandi in the 13th century. He took 12 years to complete construction. He dedicated the temple to Sage Prashar. When you go on this trek, speak to the locals to find out more about this.  

View of the majestic lake side Prashar temple

5. The Mahabharata connection

Another popular story is that the Prashar lake was created by Bheem; who was one of the Pandavas from the Mahabharata. Upon returning from a long ordeal, they found this place and lord Kamrunag, a revered deity in Himachal Pradesh (who was with them) instantly fell in love with its green surroundings and serene atmosphere. He decided to live the rest of his life here and to help him sustain, Bheem elbowed one of the nearby mountains and dented the lake into existence. Fascinating, isn't it?

6. The depth Of Prashar Lake is unknown

Weird as it may sound, this is in fact true. The true depth of Prashar Lake has not been discovered yet. Locals claim to have seen huge entire trees drown inside the lake without even a ripple on the surface. A traveller once asked a priest about it and the priest replied that two German divers did try to map the depth but were quite unsuccessful.
 

7. The beautiful Rhododendron blooms on the way

The valley leading up to Prashar Lake is one of the many reasons to take this beautiful trek. During the months of January to March, the entire valley blooms with thousands of rhododendron bushes; washing it in a hue of lush fuchsia pink. A delight to walk through, it's a sight that's totally grammable! Turn your travel dreams into reality and plan your Prashar Lake trek soon!

Pretty pink rhodos (Credits: Getty Images)

8. Amazing views from the trail

The Prashar lake, located at a height of 2730 m from sea level and the trail leading up to the temple provide some of the most stunning views you might have ever seen. You can spot Shimla, Kinnaur, the famous Rohtang Pass and the enormous Dhauladhar ranges on your way. If the skies are clear, don’t forget to carry a pair of binoculars with you!

Backpacker enjoying the stunning views during the Prashar Lake trek

9. The annual Prashar Mela

This vibrant annual fair is celebrated every year in the summer months of June/ July. It involves traditional Himachali rituals and a big feast for all the attendees. Every year thousands of devotees come here to take part in the rituals and witness the live commemoration of this occasion. If you want to experience the Pahadi culture, do plan your trek to Prashar Lake during this unique celebration. It’s a stunning display of tradition and culture that you wouldn't want to miss. 

Saranuhalli mela (Credits: Getty images)

10. Take a detour to the Sukhsar Lake

Been to Prashar before but want to explore more this time? Just an 8-minute drive ahead of Prashar Lake is Sukhsar Lake. Once you are at the base, you can embark on an hour-long trek to get to the top. It’s surrounded by gorgeous trees and blue skies from all sides making it a great spot to enjoy a picnic on a summer day.

Where to stay?

The starting point of the Prashar Lake trek is located at a 3-hour drive distance from Manali. To get to the starting point, you can take a bus from the main bus stand on Manali Mall Road comfortably or a private car. Arrive at Mandi and follow the NH205 towards Baggi village. Baggi village is the nearest road head to Prashar Lake. From there, you need to trek approximately 7.5 km to get to Prashar Lake.

There are two stunning hostels where you can crash when you are in Manali. The Hosteller Manali is just a 10-minute walk away from the Mall road whereas The Hosteller Old Manali, is just a 5-minute hop away from the Old Manali bridge, both stunning hotspots in the city. Browse through the hostel images and see which one appeals to you the most! We highly recommend booking your stay at least 3-4 weeks before your trip as Manali is one of our best-selling locations and the hostels are mostly sold out closer to the date.
 

A view of scenic The Hosteller Old Manali