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A LAKE IN THE MIDDLE OF PARADISE

Vikas Sreevatsa

Last updated: 18-04-2017

Prashar lake is a very divine place where you can feel the cultural energy of local customs. Situated near a shrine dedicated to sage Prashar the place is frequently visited by other sages as a witness to sage Prashars devotion.

 

I have been actively participating in difficult treks and expeditions for the past three years, I found Prashar lake trek as a way to get back to the mountains. Living in Delhi I had felt distanced from the mountains with the past 4 months of city life and desperately needed a trip to the mountains. I teamed up with my good friend Geelani, a trek leader for Bikat adventures with more than 5 years of trekking experience to go and explore Prashar lake. 

 

As we reached Mandi and asked the Himachali locals about Prashar lake, there lit up faces told us the whole story. We knew even before visiting the place that Prashar lake had a very powerfull connect with the locals.

As we reached Baggi village after a 2 hour bus ride, we saw the trail ahead. Wrath of mother nature could be seen in the debris littered around due to a previous landslide. As we prayed to mother nature for the safety of all sages and trekkers, we started our trek to Prashar lake.

Witnessing the wrath of mother nature in the debris littred around due to a previous landslide

A LAKE IN THE MIDDLE OF PARADISE

Moving uphill through dense forests there is no escaping the view. The view of far-off peaks such as My. Friendship and Mt. Hanuman tibba could be seen. As we trekked for two hours covering 5 Km we finally exited the dense forests and entered paradise.

Taking a break after climbing uphill through the dense treeline on the way to Prashar lake.

A LAKE IN THE MIDDLE OF PARADISE

The trail went higher and higher, the forest got denser and denser and we got more and more exhausted

A LAKE IN THE MIDDLE OF PARADISE

 A little opening in the otherwise dense treeline where me and Geelani admired the panoromic views of the Himalayas around us.

A LAKE IN THE MIDDLE OF PARADISE

We came up to a meadow stretched as far as the eye could see. As we climbed through the last 2 Km of lush green meadows, we reached Prashar lake. A view like none other. Ranges like Pir Panjal range to Dhauladhar range to Lahual and Spiti range from near Kinnaur district could be seen together.

Coming out of the dense treeline into paradise. Meadows stretching as far as the eye could see.

A LAKE IN THE MIDDLE OF PARADISE

Taking the last few steps to Prashar Lake. The top of the shrine dedicated to sage Prashar located adjacent to the lake can be seen.

A LAKE IN THE MIDDLE OF PARADISE

View from Prashar lake. In front of us was the Dhauladhar range staring at us in all its glory.

A LAKE IN THE MIDDLE OF PARADISE

 As I sat having my packed lunch with the occasional drifting of in the silence and beauty of Prashar lake, I found satisfaction. After an hour of exploring the meadows around Prashar lake and some photography we decided to start our trek back to Mandi. A  Himachali we met at Prashar lake made us aware of another route from Prashar lake. Having already explore the Baggi route the prospect of a new route excited me and Geelani. The reality of trekking to Prashar lake far exceeds our expectations of the trek . A new route is a new dimension to the trek we were eager to explore.

As we started off on the new route downhill to Mandi, 25 minutes traversing the meadows made us reach Sukhasar lake. Hidden from the eye this lake is a spectacle. As we witnessed the mystical trance of the sun sparkling in the lake water we continued out trek downhill feeling rejuvinated

Enjoying the mystique of Sukhasar lake 25 minutes from Prashar lake.

A LAKE IN THE MIDDLE OF PARADISE

7 Km downhill through dense treeline and meadows we reached Khandhalli. We caught our bus back to Mandi in which we slept off like children enriched by the experience.

First view of the Khandhalli road head from the trail.

A LAKE IN THE MIDDLE OF PARADISE

Vikas Sreevatsa

Passionate Skiier , Mountaineer and adventurer with urge to explore the unexplored. Read more

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